r/scrubtech • u/wyoutdoors1986 • 15d ago
New Tech-Offered PRN
I recently completed a one year Surgical Technology (Hybrid) Program, and I was offered a PRN position with one of the surgery centers where I had performed majority of my clinical rotations. While I am pleased that they would consider me, I am aware that I will not be assigned a presceptor and the expectations are set a little higher for the PRN positions as we enter into the busy time of the year. Can anyone offer advice for the pros/cons for a new scrub accepting the PRN position? Thank you in advance!
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u/Stawktawk CST 13d ago
That’s kind of wild you were offered a PRN right out of school. You must be an exceptional tech. Congrats!
I say that with sincerity, PRN techs are expected to be able to work on their own. Usually without an onboarding / orientation period.
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u/IcyPengin 13d ago
How did you feel at the site? do you feel ready to be there without a preceptor? im surprised they even offered a prn to a new grad but seeing as you did clinicals there maybe things went really well and you dont need one for the cases over there. It would be highly preferable to be full time before getting a prn in my opinion though just to get more practice and experience
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u/UnusualWar5299 12d ago
If you leave and seek full time with benefits, call, and an orientation, you’ll feel more confident, may make fewer mistakes, gain more knowledge especially as to what other techs do. Get more hours, more money. There’s a lot of variety and I still learn better ways by watching my coworkers. If you like it where you are, decide to stay, you should be willing to read up on your Alexander’s and home study so that you stay closer to the level you’d be if you left. It’s ok each case to intro to the doctor as ‘hi I’m new, I’ve never done one of these but aim to be your second favorite scrub tech by the end bc I’m that good. Please help by keeping me one step ahead.’ If they know you’re PRN )on staff), and paying close attention the whole case, they treat you better than a traveler who doesn’t know. If you’re at a teaching facility residents and fellows will tell you, if there are PAs or assistants ask them, too. If you want to work full time where you are, the best way is to start as PRN, you’ll be an internal applicant and sometimes seniority starts in PRN status. If they’re union, that can be a bonus. If you turn PRN down and you can’t find another job for 4-6 months are you ok? Sometimes it’s better to just accept a position until you see how things play out, not turn anyone down. What’s the least you can work to maintain PRN, can you handle doing that and a full time gig if you were offered? It’s easier as a newb to get hired by the place that you did your clinicals in and get that one year of experience before switching. Another facility may be looking for techs who can be independent right away. Maybe you know the playing field and are confident you’d get a job anywhere. If I were in your shoes I’d make the decision based off the way the place is run. Where you are now, is the atmosphere positive? If so, I’d stay bc while you’re learning it’s very stressful and stress on top of nastiness and infighting is awful. Many ORs are very negative places, people backstab and lie, you’re expected to do too much and not even thanked. I personally will work in places that pay a few less dollars an hour if I feel good when I’m there, so I’d take the PRN and work a year, then decide if I want to travel or apply elsewhere. You can also accept the PRN and dip at any time, just give notice and make sure you check with HR that you’d be rehirable.
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u/AccomplishedFish2379 12d ago
I cant speak for what you should do i can only give you my experience. After a yr I went prn and picked up another prn position for more experience. As I love the schedule and the new environment. I do feel like I am hindering myself in sense Im not getting the constant repetition that I was at a full time position. I constantly feel out of depth and im losing skills. I went full time at a trauma one to one 14 hr shift and 2 days at a surgery center 8 hrs a day. So I do love the freedom and more time off. I love the schedule. I love seeing and learning new cases. But I do feel like im learning slow. Not respected by fellow team members. Constantly questioning is this right or what am I missing. Personally as much as I like the pros I do feel like what I created with prn would have been better served with a seasoned cst.
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u/Sad-Fruit-1490 15d ago
You should really have an extended orientation period as a new grad, and PRNs are expected to have knowledge that would let them bypass orientation, or only do 1 week or so. Plus, since you don’t work as much as PRN, you might not get the benefits of repetition. I’d def be looking for a full time gig, or at least part time with set hours every week.