OR techs are in great demand across the country.  They make more money than an LPN/LVN with call time.  The OR is an exciting place to be, always something new and exciting to learn.  Also, after two years experience, there are many travel opportunites, if you'd be interested in traveling.   As an LPN there are not nearly as many opportunities out there I'm very sad to say.

greenie101-it's not true that LPNs are treated like" well-paid CNAs". In fact, nothing could be farther from the truth. I am a LPN and have been for 27 years. LPNs can do pretty much the same things RNs do. But they usually work under a RN. Sometimes, tho, as in nursing homes, they can be the Charge Nurse. Their duties are many and varied, depending on what type of nursing you do.  Dispensing medications, wound care, contacting MDs and obtaining orders, startng IVs, trach care-these are just a few as well as sometimes assuming or assisting with CNA duties if the need arises. I love being a LPN. There is a world of difference between a LPN and OR tech. You have to decide which one you are better suited for. The LPN is a bedside nurse with constant patient contact and interaction with the patient, the patient's family and the doctors (as well as other medical resourses-therapists, dietiticians etc.) . It's one on one care. While the OR tech is a specialized medical personnel who assists with the surgery and has little contact with the patient except during the surgery. But I think it would be very interesting and it pays a great deal more than LPN. However, being a LPN can be very rewarding. (that's my 2 cents worth!)  Good luck in whatever you decide!

greenie101 says ...

Thanks dmazment for the input.  This is a tough decision for me, I'm really learning more toward the OR Tech, just because it's more intresting to me, but on allnurses.com, the answers I got all told me that OR tech would lock me into the same old job and LPN would give me more opportunites. I was suprised by those thoughts, your answer is more what I was thinking.  I had noticed the pay scale seemed higher for the OR tech, a friend who is a CNA told me a LPN is treated as a well paid CNA in most hospitals. I don't know if that's true. It shouldn't be if it is!  Thanks again, have a great day!

whoever is talking to you on allnurses.com apparently doesn't know what they're talking about.  Each surgeon does things differently, there is always new equiptment, new procedures, new things to learn in the OR. 

Thanks RN2B, both for your comments and for your compliment for my service to our country. :)  It's been alot of years and the military life is great, but changing rapidly...I am ready to call it quits, it's a young womans game and a very different game from when I went in in 1978! (yes, I"m old.haha)

Intresting perspective on the OR tech. Most replies I got on the allnurses site were pro for LPN/con against or Tech, simply because LPN has more options. One of the things I would LOVE to do is join a team such as Smile Makers (I believe it's called) not for profit group that goes into third world countries and gives people medical care they would never get elsewhere. That is a big motivating factor for me doing this. I know I need to get the experience once I'm trained then I'm hoping to join such a team and I've been trying to figure out wether OR tech or LPN would be of more help in those areas, plus of course which I would enjoy more.

I recently had my knee operated on (old and a runner, not good.haha) and that is what I observed as they took me in the OR.  A group of people that seemed to know each other, seemed to be enjoying themselves and liked their jobs.

Thanks for the input!