I'm a scrub tech, surgical technologist, OR nurse, surgeons assistant, whatever you want to call it. I do surgery. More specifically, back and brain surgery. I work with the same doctor in the same OR with the same staff everyday. When you work with someone 8-12 hours a day Three days a week, you kind of become a family and we fight and argue like family too.
My surgery day is usually really laid back. Would you believe that we jam out to The Red Hot Chili Peppers on Pandora everyday while we operate?! Our conversations range from religion to movies to crazy patients to our personal lives..
Before I became a scrub, I had no idea what went on in surgery or how it even happened. So if you don't know, I'm about to fill you in. (All of my info is based on my hospital and how I do things my way. This may vary at other places.)
The OR team consist of 4-5 people: Anesthesiologist or CRNA, Circulating nurse, 2 scrubs, And your surgeon.
We get the room ready for your surgery. Gathering equipment and supplies. Then we set up the field. This means that everything we will use to operate with is sterile and clean. One scrub will pass the instruments during the case while the other scrub assist the surgeon. Both positions are equally important. A good scrub knows what the doctor wants before he knows he wants it.
We are with our patient from the time they come through the door until the time they roll out of the door. Not only do I help the surgeon during the surgery, I help anesthesia if they need it.
Its a very interesting job to say the least. Especially the cases I see on call.
As of this past summer I officially started nursing school. Im currently in my first semester. I will finally be through May 2014.... Three semesters left to go!!
