In the world of surgical care, there are several professionals who play crucial roles in the operating room. Among these vital team members are scrub nurses and surgical technologists, who both work closely with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare providers to ensure patients receive the best care possible during surgical procedures. Although these roles can seem quite similar, there are important distinctions between them, involving factors such as educational requirements, scope of practice, and daily responsibilities.

Scrub nurses, also known as perioperative nurses, are registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in surgical care. They have completed nursing school, becoming RNs, before focusing on perioperative care. On the other hand, surgical technologists, sometimes called “scrub techs,” are not nurses and have attended a surgical technology program to specifically prepare them for their role in the operating room. Both professionals play significant roles in the surgical team, but their job duties, education, and career paths differ, making it essential to understand these distinctions when considering a career in surgical care.

Key Takeaways

• Scrub nurses and surgical technologists have different educational backgrounds and certifications
• Scope of practice and day-to-day responsibilities differ between these two roles
• Work environments and team dynamics are similar for both positions, but career pathways and progression options vary.

Defining the Roles

In the surgical field, both scrub nurses and surgical technologists play crucial roles in ensuring patient safety and the success of surgical procedures. Let’s take a closer look at each role and the responsibilities they entail.

Scrub Nurse

A scrub nurse, also known as a perioperative nurse, is a registered nurse (RN) who specializes in providing patient care before and during surgical procedures. Within the operating room, scrub nurses typically perform the following duties:

• Sterilizing the operating room and surgical tools: Ensuring a sterile environment is crucial for minimizing the risk of infection during surgery.
• Reviewing patients’ medical charts prior to surgery: This helps the medical staff prepare for any specific needs or complications that may arise.
• Setting up surgical instruments and maintaining organization during the procedure: This ensures that the surgeon is able to quickly access the necessary tools as needed.

On average in the United States, scrub nurses earn an annual salary of $81,220.

Surgical Technologist

A surgical technologist is a healthcare professional who works alongside scrub nurses and surgeons in the operating room. Their responsibilities often include:

• Preparing the operating room for surgery: This involves setting up equipment, ensuring proper lighting, and coordinating with the surgical team.
• Assisting surgeons during the procedure: Surgical technologists may pass instruments, prepare sutures, or help with other necessary tasks.
• Monitoring patient safety: Throughout the surgery, surgical technologists keep an eye on the patient’s vital signs, ensuring their well-being.

Surgical technologists in the United States have an average annual salary of $56,350.

Both scrub nurses and surgical technologists play critical roles in the success of surgical procedures by ensuring patient safety, smooth workflow, and effective teamwork. While there are similarities in their duties, there are distinct differences in education, training, and salary between the two professions.

Education and Certification

Required Education for Scrub Nurses

Scrub nurses, or surgical nurses, are registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in surgical care. To become a scrub nurse, individuals usually need a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), followed by passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to obtain licensure. Scrub nurses often gain experience by working in various clinical settings before transitioning into a surgical role. Some scrub nurses also choose to pursue additional education and training, such as completing a perioperative nursing certificate program or a master’s degree in nursing, but this may not always be necessary¹.

Required Education for Surgical Techs

Surgical technologists, on the other hand, typically complete a diploma, certificate, or associate degree program in surgical technology accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES)². These programs usually last between 12 to 24 months and provide both classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. Courses in surgical technology programs often cover topics such as anatomy, medical terminology, microbiology, and surgical procedures.

Certification Processes

Scrub nurses and surgical techs can choose to pursue voluntary certifications to demonstrate competency in their respective fields. For scrub nurses, the most common certification is the Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA) credential, which is administered by the Competency & Credentialing Institute³. Eligibility requirements for the CRNFA include an unencumbered RN license, a minimum of 2,000 hours of documented experience in perioperative nursing, and completion of a formal RNFA program or equivalent education.

Surgical technologists can obtain certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) by passing the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam⁴. To be eligible for the CST exam, candidates must have completed an accredited surgical technology program or possess equivalent training and experience. Certification must be renewed every four years, which typically involves completing continuing education credits and/or retaking the CST exam.

Footnotes

1. Indeed – Scrub Nurse vs. Surgical Tech: Career Differences ↩
2. Aspen University – Scrub Nurse vs Surgical Tech: 2023 Career Comparison ↩
3. Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant ↩
4. National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting ↩

Scope of Practice

Clinical Responsibilities of Scrub Nurses

Scrub nurses, also referred to as operating room nurses or perioperative nurses, are registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in surgical care. Their main role in the operating room is to assist the surgeon during the operation by holding and passing instruments and supplies. They are also in charge of maintaining a sterile and organized environment.

Scrub nurses have a larger scope of practice compared to surgical techs. They can perform the following tasks:

• Assessing patients
• Administering medications
• Documenting surgical procedures
• Placing IV lines

Moreover, scrub nurses have a higher level of education and training, allowing them to have more autonomy and authority in the operating room. Due to these additional responsibilities, scrub nurses typically earn an average salary of $68,255 per year.

Clinical Responsibilities of Surgical Techs

Surgical techs, also known as scrub techs or operating room technicians, play a vital role in the surgical team by providing direct assistance to the surgeon. Their primary function in the operating room is to prepare and set up surgical instruments and equipment. They are also responsible for ensuring the sterility of the surgical field. Some of their other duties include:

• Handing surgical instruments to the surgeon
• Anticipating the surgeon’s needs during the procedure
• Managing surgical supplies

Despite their crucial role, surgical techs have a more limited scope of practice compared to scrub nurses. They are not permitted to assess patients, administer medications, or place IV lines. Consequently, they usually receive lower salaries, earning an average of $48,530 per year.

In summary, while both scrub nurses and surgical techs are essential members of the surgical team, they have distinct roles and responsibilities that reflect their different scopes of practice and levels of education and training.

Work Environment

Typical Settings for Scrub Nurses

Scrub nurses are registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in surgical care. They work primarily in operating rooms within hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and private clinics. In this setting, scrub nurses assist in preparing the operating room, setting up surgical instruments, and ensuring that all necessary equipment is available for the surgical team. During surgery, they may perform two main functions, either as a circulating nurse or as a scrub nurse. They also assist in patient care before and during surgical procedures.

Typical Settings for Surgical Techs

Surgical technologists, also known as surgical techs or operating room technicians, work in similar settings as scrub nurses. They are employed in hospitals, outpatient surgery centers, and private clinics. However, surgical techs focus more on the technical aspects of surgery, such as preparing and handling surgical equipment, patient positioning, and maintaining a sterile environment during the surgery.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Both scrub nurses and surgical techs have important roles and responsibilities in the operation room. Below are some common tasks and duties they perform.

Scrub Nurses:

1. Setting up the operating room: Ensuring that the room is clean, sterile, and equipped with the necessary tools.
2. Assisting the surgeon: Passing surgical instruments and equipment to the surgeon and keeping track of them.
3. Maintaining a sterile environment: Ensuring that the operating room stays clean and sterile from start to finish.
4. Observing surgery: Monitoring the patient during surgery and notifying the surgeon of any changes in the patient’s condition.
5. Post-operative care: Assisting with patient care following the surgery, including wound care and recovery.

Surgical Techs:

1. Preparing the operating room: Setting up surgical instruments and equipment.
2. Assisting the surgeon: Handing surgical tools and equipment to the surgeon as needed.
3. Sterilizing instruments: Ensuring that all surgical instruments are properly cleaned and sterilized.
4. Patient positioning: Properly positioning the patient on the operating table.
5. Ensuring a sterile environment: Maintaining the cleanliness and sterility of the operating room throughout the surgery.

In conclusion, scrub nurses and surgical techs both play crucial roles in the operation room. While their settings and responsibilities may overlap, each has distinct duties that contribute to providing safe and successful surgical care to patients.

Job Duties and Tools Used

Scrub Nurse Duties

Scrub nurses, also known as perioperative nurses, are responsible for specialized tasks during a surgical procedure. These tasks include:

• Sterilizing the operating room and surgical tools
• Ensuring sanitization and safety protocols are followed
• Reviewing patients’ medical charts prior to surgery
• Setting up surgical instruments and keeping them organized during the procedure

Scrub nurses work closely with surgeons, other nurses, and surgical technologists to maintain a safe and efficient environment in the operating room.

Surgical Tech Duties

Surgical technologists, also known as scrub techs, have a slightly different set of responsibilities compared to scrub nurses. Their main tasks include:

• Preparing the operating room and equipment for surgery
• Assisting the surgical team by handing them instruments
• Ensuring instruments are properly maintained and accounted for during the procedure
• Monitoring and maintaining a sterile environment

While there is some overlap in their job duties with scrub nurses, surgical technologists primarily focus on providing direct assistance to the surgical team, rather than having more extensive patient care responsibilities.

Common Tools and Technologies

Both scrub nurses and surgical technologists work with a variety of tools and technology during surgical procedures. Some of the most common tools and technologies used include:

• Surgical instruments: Scalpels, clamps, sutures, and forceps
• Sterilization equipment: Autoclaves and ultrasonic cleaners
• Patient monitoring devices: Anesthetic machines, heart rate monitors, and blood pressure cuffs
• Electronic health records (EHR): For accessing and updating patient information

In conclusion, scrub nurses and surgical technologists, although they share some common duties and tools used in the operating room, have distinct roles within a surgical team. Scrub nurses have more extensive patient care responsibilities, whereas surgical technologists mainly focus on providing direct assistance to the surgical team during procedures.

Team Dynamics and Hierarchies

Collaboration in the Operating Room

Surgical teams consist of various professionals, with the scrub nurse and surgical technologist being two vital roles. Both scrub nurses and surgical technologists work closely together to ensure patient safety and a smooth surgical procedure. Their responsibilities primarily focus on instrument handling and maintaining a sterile operating environment. Effective communication and collaboration within the team are essential to the success of a surgical procedure.

In the operating room, the scrub nurse is responsible for tasks such as:

• Sterilizing the operating room and all surgical tools
• Ensuring that sanitization and safety protocols are followed
• Reviewing patients’ medical charts before surgery
• Setting up surgical instruments and keeping them organized during the procedure

On the other hand, a surgical technologist’s duties include:

• Assisting with gowning and gloving
• Passing instruments and supplies to the surgeon during the procedure
• Properly disposing of used materials after surgery

Both roles require a strong understanding of the surgical procedure and the ability to anticipate the needs of the surgeon and other team members.

Hierarchy of Surgical Teams

The hierarchy within surgical teams is essential for maintaining an organized and efficient operating room. At the top of the hierarchy is the surgeon, who performs the surgical procedure and makes critical decisions. Next in line are the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist, responsible for patient sedation and monitoring vital signs.

Scrub nurses and surgical technologists often share similar roles, but there is a distinction: scrub nurses are registered nurses (RNs) specializing in surgical care, whereas surgical technologists receive specific training to assist in the operating room. As a result, scrub nurses generally hold more authority within the team and may earn higher salaries.

Despite the hierarchical structure, all team members must work together and respect each other’s expertise. Each member contributes essential skills and knowledge to the overall success of the surgical procedure. The effective operation of a surgical team relies heavily on positive interpersonal relationships, clear communication, and mutual understanding of each team member’s responsibilities.

Career Pathways and Progression

Advancement Opportunities for Scrub Nurses

Scrub nurses, being registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in surgical care, have a number of advancement opportunities. One possible path for them is becoming a Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR), which demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills within the surgical nursing field. Achieving CNOR certification can lead to career growth and increased salary.

Another option for a scrub nurse is to pursue further education, such as obtaining a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). These advanced degrees can open the door to roles like nurse educator, nurse manager, and nurse practitioner in the surgical field.

Advancement Opportunities for Surgical Techs

Surgical technologists have different advancement opportunities compared to scrub nurses. One potential career growth path is becoming a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), which signifies expertise in the field of surgical technology. Additionally, a surgical tech may choose to pursue a specialty within the field, such as orthopedics or neurosurgery. By focusing on a specific area, they can increase their expertise and marketability, leading to better job prospects and higher pay.

Surgical techs may also decide to further their education by earning a Bachelor’s or even Master’s degree in a related healthcare field. This can lead to career advancement into roles such as clinical coordinators, department managers, or positions in healthcare administration.