What are clinicals like?

[@ellieanderson5378]

Thought I’d throw it in here, I just finished my clinicals and graduate next week. Working with residents can be challenging like mentioned with more people than usual, however there is a bonus as well. When there is a surgeon and a resident you can listen to the surgeon explain things to the resident about the procedure and you can really learn a lot by doing that. The surgeon will sometimes talk a few steps ahead so if you listen you might have an idea of what they will need next even if you have not seen the procedure before. Also, residents who are further along in training may just be supervised by the surgeon for some (or majority) of the case and they tend to be more patient with new learners because they are a learner as well. This is all coming from my experience of course. Best of luck to all!

[@SurgicalTechTips]

Absolutely right! The attending surgeons give great explanations to the residents and you can really learn a lot!

[@ccoop3774]

I was thinking the same thing as I was reading your comment. My hospital was really popular and sought-after by students. We weren't an actual teaching hospital, but we always had students ( med, PA, CST, and CRNA.) Our surgeons were great. We had a fantastic staff, too, and we all worked well together. Even if the doc didn't have a student with them, they were very open to your questions. Best of luck to you!

[@audiblyamber514]

The Surg Tech program that I am currently in (and graduating in two weeks yay!) has several sites to rotate through for clinicals including 2 large hospitals, 2 surgery centers and 2 specialty hospitals.

[@djmarizzle]

Amber Strobel how would you describe your experience in surgical tech? Education was it difficult?

[@jessicamcintyre2389]

Can you do a video addressing more of what you eat (maybe options??) and how you handled being nervous in an OR. Cases you might have been more nervous about than others (amputations, burn patients etc.), if you get hot, how to handle that. I know it sounds basic, but as a student it would be really helpful. Basically how you handle things that don't come easily to you. Thank you for all of your videos! You're definitely the best on here for CST students!!

[@kelly1985]

The preceptors at my hospital do get paid more. It’s not just volunteer work. But I choose what OR room I want to be in for the day to gain as much experience as I can. My advice is to branch out and not stick with the same preceptor. Try to learn from different techs because you’ll find different tips and tricks from each one. I feel like some just want to work with me for that extra pay but you need to do what is best for gaining experience

[@ajvazquez6298]

Just finished my 4 month clinical rotation at a level one trauma hospital. This following semester I will be sent to other major bighouse, L&D and 2 different surgery centers!

[@TheFortFive]

Hi Shane! been following your channel since before I even knew how to gown & glove. tomorrow I am going into my clinical site day one & I am sooo nervous but also excited. I got placed at the hospital I really wanted & would love to work at when I graduate. just crazy to see how time flies & how school goes by in the blink of the eye. still loving your content & finding it helpful 🤗

[@SurgicalTechTips]

Good luck on your clinicals! Hope you do greats things 💪

[@stefanymartinez5260]

2 or 3 of the students in my class were placed in a surgery center for clinicals. However, they did have trouble getting some of their case requirements and had to rotate to a hospital to get more complex, diverse cases.

[@kaleighmullins1052]

My school is actually an extension of the hospital. So my class rotates 3 hospitals and 3 surgical centers for our clinicals

[@staceym4469]

I'm about to start my third week and I'm still so nervous!!! It's very different than school and can be overwhelming but I love it !!! I just get hard on myself when I don't remember something or don't pick up things as quickly as I'd like

[@briannas.6214]

Stacey Marrone I am in my second week and feel the exact same way.

[@staceym4469]

Bri s I think it's normal but I hate having the anxiety!

[@briannas.6214]

Same here. I'm just happy to know that I'm not the only one out there feeling that way as well 😊

[@ttrdf]

Most surgeons are chill and you can always ask the nurse to grab something you forgot, Godspeed!

[@clampcuttie8430]

If you can, find out which cases you’ll scrub the following day. That way you can study up on instruments, anatomy and the steps of the case. Been scrubbing for a while, I do this.

[@russelljohnson5714]

Shane my man keep the vids coming! I’m in school now and love all the content!

[@nicolesilva7995]

I was sent out on my first clinical rotation at a surgery center. I also work with surgical residents. I love the fast pace of it, and the more homey feeling that I've seen there.

[@TR3Y53]

Start clinical Monday! Will rotate between 3 hospitals and one surgery center.

[@cassandrabucklew938]

I start clinicals tomorrow and I'm terrified and excited at the same time. I'm excited to have made it this far but I'm so nervous about actually have a real person be on the bed and not a dummy.

[@ccoop3774]

Cassandra Bucklew, just relax. We will realize this is your first time in the field. Don't let it overwhelm you. Ask questions. Good luck!

[@TrueBeauty786]

I’m in my last week of clinicals for this semester, we do rotate through 3 different hospitals, and 4 different surgery centers. I’m still nervous and feel like I don’t get it. I love it though!

[@ccoop3774]

dee johnson, it took me almost a year to actually feel comfortable with whatever my call would throw at me! There's so much to learn. Some of the fields are so individualized. I'm an RN and worked in the OR for years. I learned on-the-job. I scrubbed first to learn the instruments and surgeries. Always ask questions. I realize you have to complete a certain amount of cases in certain fields, but if possible, ask to be in a room that's giving you trouble. I hope you love it as much as I did! Good luck!

[@jppaj24]

I did my clinical and i got bad preceptors. She was impatient on me. She don't speak when you don't ask something.

[@kristinrenae7514]

Im currently in surgery tech school and will graduate in August. We do at clinicals at hospitals and centers. We have to go through general, Ob, ortho, neuro, ENT.. etc. I love what I do!

[@SurgicalTechTips]

Awesome!

[@Beautytrends77]

Thank you so much for all the videos you do. I've learned so much from watching such informative videos. I just started school and these videos really help me know what I'm getting myself into!! Thanks for your time 😉

[@mikemcclain4542]

How do you deal with a surgeon cursing you out for something that wasn't your fault or your job?

[@adyo92]

Mike mcclain square up with them

[@SurgicalTechTips]

I just shake my head at them. Most of the time they do it to try and see if they can get a rise out of you to make them feel better.

[@ccoop3774]

Unfortunately, there are a few of those out there, but they are in the minority. Your preceptor could have spoken up for you, too. I remember one a$$hole said I was messing with the temperature of the CO2 for insufflation and was giving him cold gas! (there was no temp control, just rate and volume, I believe! ) He already had the adapter to humidify the co2! I have never understood why those few have to act like that!

[@Mscoloraturakae]

Unless they hold a grudge and keep bringing it up or get downright ugly just let it roll off your back like rain on a ducky.

[@crisaguilar8631]

Hey Shane - we use surgery centers usually in our 10 week summer semester. That way the students have completed their cases and can get exposed to the different pace of a surgery center.

[@SurgicalTechTips]

Optimal way to get the most diverse exposure for sure.

[@ibrahimsamuel3303]

thank you very much i love your videos .iam an egyptian surgeon and want to be surg.assistant so you help me alot

[@lovepink389]

The first 10 weeks of my clinical rotation was done at a surgery center.

[@bbydiego]

One of the clinical sites offered in the program I graduated from had a surgicenter that was ortho/podiatry.

[@paigerk4997]

I'm actually in my second rotation and am doing it at a surgery center! 😊

[@ky-kj6zr]

brooo I spent my first 3 months at a surgery center *plastics* I was so pissed off at my instructors because they couldn't find any good site *what i mean by that is site that is close by to me because all they offer is a 2-3hour drive.* What pisses me off the most is that I had to contact them just to tell them that I've been on the surgery center for a long ass time. Oh well now that's done... I'm finally on my 2nd week of clinicals in a hospital... I hope this wont happen to any other students because it is frustrating as hell! Anyways starting of in a surgery center really did helped me a lot

[@kendralofter338]

Your videos are very helpful. Thank you.

[@gunny13689]

I won't be starting clinicals until next semester (September), but we rotate through a surgery center as well as a few office-based practices (for ophthalmology and plastics) as well.

[@smpinkham76]

My first 3 weeks of clinicals were in a surgical center.

[@smpinkham76]

In my 4th week at a hospital now.

[@n2skin41]

I am in my 5th week of clinical's at an outpatient surgical center. It is super fast paced, but because I am not at a hospital I am not getting to scrub for the big open cases. We do lots of cataract, hernia, Ortho and general surgeries, and its all very cool, but I never do a full instrument count because we don't enter the peritoneum other than Laparoscopic procedures. I'm getting lots of great experience but nervous about getting a job in a hospital because it will be so different from clinical's.

[@ccoop3774]

Stephanie Davison, just be honest in your job interview. If you have these cases down, then you'll pick up the larger cases easily. Your school only places y'all in a sx center for clinicals? That's not fair to their students.

[@djmarizzle]

Hi I’m thinking about becoming a surgical tech, but I’m also keeping an option open for respiratory therapist and ultrasound. It’s been difficult looking for which one would suit me. Was the school load material difficult?

[@sallyb.7553]

I totally agree!!!

[@jackiesmall3804]

Thank very much my

[@ryanjaybinongo]

How difficult is the (licensing?) Exams? thank you

[@anniemedicalmassage]

Is it allowed to take notes on how the preceptor likes the table set up? Or are you just supposed to have recall memory?

[@SurgicalTechTips]

You can take notes on anything your can write on!

[@ccoop3774]

As you work with different preceptors, you're going to find each will set up a tad differently. Don't worry, just go along with each one. You will find your own way when you're on your on.

[@megansnyd74]

Can you get placed in an externship in the OR if you are confined to a wheelchair? I am wanting to be a CST, but I am afraid of being rejected for it because of my wheelchair.

[@kitsunefaye1661]

You can’t be a surgeon, but you can definitely be a surgical tech. Just ask the school. Plenty of paraplegic people have become CST, but if you’re quadriplegic or cannot use your upper body, CST isn’t for you.

[@mattschneider6322]

I am starting my clinical rotation on July 13th and it’s at a surgery center

[@tntphillipians4134]

How long are the clinicals? I mean how many hours a day or how many weeks?

[@janae7394]

For supplies at school is it easier to have binders for lectures and notebooks for clinicals?

[@SurgicalTechTips]

yes.

[@sarbear812]

2 out of my 3 clinical rotations were at surgery centers. First was 95% cataracts... I hated it because I felt I got less experience than my classmates...

[@chrishummel6508]

How's everyone's day going?

[@melissarainchild]

Rainy and overcast here....but sunny inside... :)

[@asilajeiram3039]

My school does surgery centers and hospitals. I'm in st.louis

[@brysctt72]

Baylor In Dallas TX

[@jusolaz8220]

Tomorrow i start my clinical rotations😩😩😩

[@maameagyekum8030]

Is it possible for a medical assistant to transfer to a surgical tec?

[@SurgicalTechTips]

Surgical technology requires some additional schooling.

[@andrianashinaul8473]

Do you have to do math in your head