Surgical Technologist vs Scrub Nurse: What is the Difference?

Published - July 24, 2024

Are you interested in becoming a medical professional that works in the operating room? Did you know that there is a whole team that supports the surgeons? Anesthesiologists, surgical technicians, scrub nurses, and physician assistants work together to keep patients safe and comfortable during surgery. Which role best suits you? Not sure yet, that is ok. This article talks about what a surgical technician and scrub nurse does and how their roles differ.

What Does a Surgical Technologist Do?

A surgical technologist keeps the operating room safe by supporting the surgical team during a procedure. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgical technologists:

Transport patients to surgery
Prepare the operating room and help surgeons during the pre-op procedure
Sterilize the operating room, surfaces, and instruments
Support the surgeon by handling instruments
Hold internal organs in place during the procedure
Set up robotic surgical equipment
Monitor the patient’s vital signs
Handle patient specimen
Prepare the surgical table and equipment
Prep the patients with shaving, disinfection, and draping the incision site
Monitor patients under anesthesia
Stock supplies after surgery is complete
Act as a liaison between the surgeon, family, and patient

What Does a Scrub Nurse Do?

A scrub nurse, under the title of a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or Operating Room Nurse (OR Nurse), works as the liaison between the surgeon, medical staff, and patient during the surgical procedure. Their primary role is to assist the surgeon during surgery. On a day-to-day basis, the scrub nurse will perform the following:

Help prepare the operating room for surgery
Support the surgeon during an operation
Consider complications and create an action plan if lifesaving measures are needed
Wash hands and arms during pre-op procedures
Respond if needed to emergency surgery

Surgical Technologist vs Scrub Nurse: What is the Difference?

While both can handle instruments during a procedure and manage the operating room environment and supplies, a few differences exist between a surgical technologist and a scrub nurse. These differences include:

Level of Responsibility

The scrub nurse must respond to emergencies and create an action plan if lifesaving measures are needed. They play an active role in the care of the patient during the surgery. On the other hand, the surgical technologist follows the team’s lead and is delegated tasks as needed.

Educational Path

To become a surgical technician, you will complete the Associate of Applied Science program at CBD College. Those wanting to become a nurse will need to complete an Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing. There is some overlap in the curriculum for each that includes medical terminology, anatomy & physiology, but that is where the programs diverge. Surgical technologist programs focus on surgical theory, procedures, and labs. The LPN and RN programs focus on patient care, phlebotomy, nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, leadership and communications, and ethics in nursing.

Certification

Nurses must pass the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN exams to work with patients. This proves their proficiency in patient care. On the other hand, surgical technicians don’t need a license or certification to practice. However, they can get certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), which administers the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) exam. The NBSTSA’s certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

Final Thoughts

Now that you know the difference between a surgical technician and a scrub nurse, let CBD College prepare you for an entry-level role as a surgical technician. The Surgical Technology program is 91-quarter credits of comprehensive course study that combines theory and clinical practice. The curriculum allows you to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills that will enable them to become safe and competent practitioners of Surgical Technology.

Surgical Technologist Program

In our Surgical Technologist Program, you can get trained in as little as 14 months, working with doctors, nurses, and anesthesiologists. Train on your feet with professionals in our state-of-the-art mock surgery centers and get real on-the-job experience through our extensive network of clinical externship sites so you can be ready to tackle the field after you graduate.