Response to J.B.

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I recently (okay, not so recently. I apologize for the delayed response J.B.), received an email asking my advice on becoming a Surgical Technologist and if I thought that it was a good career choice on the path to becoming a doctor. As I was typing away my reply in gmail, I thought that this might make a good post for anybody else who may be wondering the same thing. I also encourage any tech students or prospective students to feel free to ask me any questions they may have relating to the field. While names will not be revealed, I may post the question and response so if you don't want it to be posted, let me know when you email me.
I have precepted my share of students and always enjoy teaching. I see so many "experienced" RN's and Techs do things that are not acceptable. Sterile technique is one of my biggest pet peeves and I am not above chastising a circulating nurse for breaking rules. Oh, but that is a rant for another day. On to the answer.......
"Is Surgical Technology a good career to get into on the path to becoming a doctor? "

I think becoming an ST is an excellent path to MD. I know of several surgeons today that held various positions in the OR while going to school on their path to becoming a doctor. Some were orderlies, some were techs, transporters, etc. I understand that having a job in a hospital and more specifically, in a patient care area, such as transport, ER tech, OR tech, to name a few, is beneficial for students on any path to medicine whether it be nursing school or beyond. I am told It looks good on your application and it helps you get accepted.
The nice things about being a surgical tech, at least the things I found great about it, are hands on experience with patients, the camaraderie of the OR, feeling the pride of being on a professional OR team, the chance to be immersed in the entire surgical process, and a not so bad paycheck. You will read about anatomy and study the pretty colored pictures in the anatomy book, but you won't fully understand anatomy until you look inside the real human body. If you simply listen to those around you, especially conversations between the surgeon and the anesthetist, you will learn a lot. What you don't understand, ask or look it up. I have yet to find a surgeon who isn't willing to teach someone who is eager to learn. I find it rewarding when I am research something, and then within a few days actually see it come to life in the OR. If you truly want to learn and you are motivated, as a surgical tech you will be in the best classroom in the world and, you are getting paid to be there!
The drawbacks as an ST might be taking call, working holidays, too rigid of a schedule for working around your school hours (be sure to discuss this with the local hospitals you may work for after graduation), and having to live within call distance of the hospital you will work in. Call response time is sometimes fifteen minutes but more typically half an hour.
If you choose to become a surg tech, you will know almost immediately whether or not it is for you when you begin your clinical rotations. This is the point where many students realize the full extent of their future job requirements. I will say that you should have a tough skin and not let things that people say get to you. You will probably get yelled at more than once and it may very well be by the surgeon. The mistake is to take it personally. Don't argue, listen. If you are being yelled at, there is probably a lesson to be learned. If you still have an issue or feel you were attacked unjustly, take it up with the offender after the case.
You may find the sights, smells, sounds, and sometimes the conversation of the OR to be offensive. If your clinical site is at a very busy hospital, you may find that standing for eight to ten hours a day is very tiring. Your feet may burn, and your legs may ache, but the good news is, you get used to it!
Surgical Technology can be a very demanding career, but it can also be very rewarding.
Thank you for the question, J.B. I hope that my response was of some help. Feel free to contact me anytime should you have more questions, and good luck to you in whatever path you choose.
MMT
makeminetrauma@gmail.com

That's Bull!

Does this mean these quizzes are accurate after all? I took this one and guess what? I am a Taurus! Will wonders never cease.
It's all true, well all of it except the part about my perfect job. I don't like to cook, I probably would like to design jewelry, and acting would be o-k, but I wouldn't want to be recognizably famous. I cherish my privacy and the privacy of those close to me.
Oh yeah, I gave up beef (pork and poultry), but the cheesecake is right on!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go back and see if I am a sociopath.....

You Should Be A Taurus

What's good about you: you're stable, responsible, and loyal to those around you What's bad about you: you're stubborn and overly cautious - change is not easy In love: it's easy to melt your heart with traditional romantic gestures In friendship, you're: loyal - you'll do almost anything for a friend Your ideal job: chef, jewelry designer, or actor Your sense of fashion: sleek, designer, and very expensive You like to pig out on: steak and cheesecake

What Sign Should You Be?

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Orthopaedic observations.

I have always been "One of the Guys." I grew up around cowboys and mechanics. I have a very good mechanical aptitude. In fact, before the age of computerized everything on vehicles, I really enjoyed mechanicing. I was actually employed as a grease monkey for a brief time.

The first total knee I ever scrubbed on as a tech was totally analogous to mechanicing as far as I could see. You take the worn parts out and you replace them with shiny new parts. You have to have the right tools for the job. You have to put the new parts in the same way the old parts came out (with a few exceptions) or it doesn't work properly. You must be very careful to keep the new parts that move across each other very clean, lest friction create erosion. You get to use power tools. Your hands get greasy. The smell of the solvent tank is replaced by the smell of Methylmethacrylate. You get to wear clothes that you can get dirty without getting yelled at.

For the women who chose to involve themselves with orthopaedics, from the surgeons themselves, to private scrubs. What I have noticed about all of them, at least the ones I know, is that they are independent, self sufficient, tough (at least by my definition), mostly tomboyish but not masculinely so, and mechanically inclined.

Something else I have noticed about orthopaedics, most of the surgeons are right around six feet tall. Male and female. The exception seems to be hand weenies specialists.

I find Ortho docs are typically fun to work with. They usually are not as stressed as their general surgeon counterparts. Sports Med orthopods are often competitive and athletic, and their dream job seems to be team physician for any high powered sports team. Almost all orthopaedic surgeons seem to be personally involved in sports and/or fitness. In all my years in the OR (sounds worldly, but that is really only eight years) I have only seen one overweight ortho doc and he went on a diet.

I've become blogged up.

I think I have blogger block. Perhaps it is the change of weather or the fact that work has picked up some. In fact, I may have gained another orthopod who does spines. That is a good thing if I have any free time to be available for him. It also means that if we get along together and he likes to keep me around, that I will be offering to take call with yet another surgeon. Currently I am on call for an average of 6 days a week. Once in a great while, the stars line up and I get 2 or 3 days of no call obligation. It feels great not to sleep in the sports bra occasionally!

Wow. I was cruising right along there for a minute. I got sidetracked and now the block is back.

Hmmph.

Finally! An accurate quiz!

My celebrity boob twin is....

Your Celebrity Boob Twin:

Angelina Jolie

Who's" Your Celebrity Boob Twin?

Thanks to MBA, the internet quiz queen!

SurgeXperiences 16th edition

Check out SurgeXperiences 116 at Other Things Amanzi, hosted by Bongi.

And, stay tuned to hear Bongi himself as he "appears" on the Dr Anonymous blog talk radio show on March 13th.

If you , or someone you know, wishes to host an edition of SurgeXperiences, please contact Jeffrey here.