[the invisib1e hand]

why don’t you find honest work, like being a bookie?

[lainde]

I think it could be a promising career. I haven’t worked OR in years, but with healthcare cost cutting I think you should have a lot of job security.

Have you seen this site:http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos106.htm

[Doogle]

I am kinda old and have an opportunity to go back to school.

....if you don't change your opinion about age, your defeated before you enroll

[Siouxz]

Not a surg tech but an OR circulating nurse so I don’t have experience with their schooling. I do know that they get paid a good deal less than RNs, and an RN diploma/associate’s take about the same length of time to complete.

With a nursing career you can work in the operating room or any other field. A CST can only work in an OR. Also techs are on their feet all day so good feet and an iron bladder are a must lol.

Good luck whatever you decide to do.

[submarinerswife]

I am 43 and am finally finishing the BA degree that I started in ‘87. I have always wanted my degree in History but life, kids, work and transferring around the country always got in the way. I don’t have career plans in mind, I just felt like the is the one thing left undone.

GO for it! It’s not to late and it sounds like you are doing something you like.

[surroundedbyblue]

I’m not a scrub but a nurse anesthetist. Where I work, they’re always hiring CSTs. Mediocre pay, long hours on your feet, & surgeons can be real douche bags. If you’re ok with that, go for it.

[outofsalt]

Without knowing more about your background/education, I would recommend surgical assistant over scrub tech. Better pay for more responsibility. Both are limited to the OR.
ER work can be fun and fulfilling and EMT’s can begin low and work their way up to paramedics as they learn.

[Kimmers]

My friend is a surgeon and really appreciates the scrub techs..the OR can be fun and not always boring...going to a community college is a great way to get a career without a huge debt load....some hospitals help pay for tuition if you want to get more education.....

another consideration would be job availability in your area

Since the medical field is denominated by females.....they can be real be-itchy to work with.....yes, I am female and I am a nurse.....so if you can tune out the back stabbing and gossiping you are good to go.....

[Pat4ever]

Why not consider nursing? Good pay, lots of opportunities, mobility, a chance to really make a difference.

[MarkL]

I could have gone into medicine, if not for the organic chemistry... And all the biology classes... And the fact the the stuff inside the human body is icky, especially when it's leaking out of the human body... And having to deal with people. Especially sick people, I really don't care for that at all... And the fact that I feint at the sight of blood (especially mine.)

Other than that, I would have made a great doctor or nurse.

Mark

[Slings and Arrows]

I’m currently in pharmacy school, but looked at a lot of paths prior to deciding on that one. Surgical tech is low-paying and dull. You’d be better off in nursing or sonography (ultrasound technologist). DON’T go for nuclear medicine technologist; the market is saturated.

[60Gunner]

I considered becoming a surgical tech before God redirected me to become a nurse. It's certainly an important job, and I know many scrub techs who really enjoy their jobs. It's pretty cool seeing the inner workings of the human body. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.

As far as job security goes, I have no idea how being a scrub tech tech would compare to being a nurse (particularly one in a specialty field, such as I am in). But I would imagine the more specialized technical fields (scrub tech, diagnostic imaging tech, etc) would have more job security than the entry-level positions such as CNA or Ward clerk.

Whatever direction you choose, I wish you all sorts of good luck and blessings.