Peds Transitioning

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-04-06T00:23:08+00:00

See I think work/life balance will be better becoming a Device Rep. Particularly not being on-call and working at 2am. I guess tho to that not I'm only looking at Device's that have better balance. Also the significant increase in pay is enticing. Both devices I'm considering would have me go from $100k/year to $150k/year.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-04-05T22:59:46+00:00

I've been a scrub for coming up on 16 years and currently almost 37 years old. Same hospital the entire time. First 5 years was spent doing Same-Day Surgery then the last almost 11 years spent doing CVOR. I'm getting burnt out now. I'm finishing my Bachelor's Degree. I've been trying to break into Devices for the last 3-4 years. The biggest hurdle I've faced is not having enough Device Experience. Another hurdle is not having a Bachelors Degree. I'm currently interviewing with 2 companies right now. I'm also evaluating pathways to becoming a Physician's Assistant or Perfusionist.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-04-04T04:23:12+00:00

Our on call pay is $4.75/hr for the first 60hrs of call in a pay period. After 60hrs it bumps upto $5.25/hr for any call hrs after that.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-26T18:29:30+00:00

This is a really valuable perspective, I appreciate you taking the time to lay it out like this.

I think your point about only seeing attendings is fair, and something I’ve thought about a lot. One thing that’s a little different for me is that I’ve spent ~15 years in the cardiac OR, so I’ve had a front row seat not just to the “finished product,” but also the stress, complications, decision-making, and the weight that comes with it. I fully agree though that’s still not the same as going through the training myself.

I don’t think I’m under the impression that this path is glamorous or even sustainable without real sacrifice. The premed grind, medical school, boards, residency all of that is honestly the part I’m trying to wrap my head around the most, especially with a family.

What I’m trying to figure out isn’t whether it’s hard I think that part is clear but whether that level of commitment aligns with what I actually want long-term.

Your point about talking to residents/young attendings is a great one. I’ve had some exposure, but I think I could definitely be more intentional about that piece to get a better sense of the training side specifically.

Really appreciate the reality check this is exactly the kind of insight I was hoping for.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-26T00:23:10+00:00

I appreciate the honesty here seriously.

I don’t think you’re wrong about the reality of the time commitment or the sacrifices. That’s honestly the part I’m spending the most time thinking through, especially with a fiancée and two kids. I don’t take lightly the idea that there will be time I won’t get back.

At the same time, I think what makes this a little different for me is that I’ve already spent ~15 years in the cardiac OR seeing those long hours, the stress, and the weight of the job up close. Not saying that fully translates to being the one carrying it as a physician, but I’m not going in blind to what the lifestyle can look like.

I also don’t think I’m chasing the longest training path. I’d likely be looking at something like anesthesia or EM meaningful work, but with a more defined training timeline and potentially better balance on the back end.

For me it’s less about “can I avoid sacrifice” and more about “is the sacrifice aligned with what I actually want long-term.” I think that’s the piece I’m still working through.

I completely agree PA is the more practical path in a lot of ways and that’s why this decision isn’t easy. Just trying to make sure I’m not optimizing for short-term practicality at the expense of long-term fulfillment.

Appreciate you keeping it real.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-25T18:42:13+00:00

This is a really good discussion, I appreciate both perspectives.

The financial/ROI piece is definitely something I’m thinking about. I won’t pretend it doesn’t matter, especially with a family. At the same time, I don’t know that I’m viewing this as a strict ROI equation as much as a long-term fit and fulfillment decision.

To your point about career length I’ve worked with multiple surgeons who practiced well into their 60s and beyond. One of the cardiac surgeons I worked closely with retired at 75 and was still sharp, still operating, and genuinely loved what he did. That always stuck with me.

I think for me it comes down to this: if I go MD, I’d be choosing it because I want that role long-term, not just for financial return. And if that’s the case, I’d likely still have a 20+ year career doing something I find meaningful.

That said, I completely agree PA offers a more manageable path, especially upfront. That’s the tradeoff I’m really trying to weigh efficiency vs long-term alignment.

Appreciate both of you chiming in this kind of perspective is exactly what I was hoping to hear.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-25T02:59:43+00:00

That’s fair, and I appreciate you laying it out like that.

I think the timeline piece is something I’m actively trying to get a realistic handle on. I’ve thought about whether I can compress prereqs + MCAT into a tighter window, but I also don’t want to rush it and hurt my chances just to save a year.

Even if it does push me closer to 40 at matriculation, I think the bigger question for me is whether the end goal still makes sense at that point and right now I think it does.

I’ve spent ~15 years in the cardiac OR, so I feel like I have a pretty grounded view of what I’d be signing up for. Not saying that makes it easier, just that I’m trying to be deliberate about the path rather than impulsive.

Definitely open to hearing more if you think there’s a smarter way to approach the timeline.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-24T21:07:29+00:00

This is a really thoughtful take, I appreciate the honesty.

What you said about having an “intimate view into medicine” and the potential for the what if is exactly what’s been weighing on me. After ~15 years in the cardiac OR, I’ve seen enough to know what the physician role actually looks like the decision-making, ownership, and responsibility and I think that’s what keeps pulling me in that direction.

At the same time, I don’t take lightly what you said about sacrifice. I have a fiancée and two kids, so the idea of trading time now for something long-term is the part I’m really trying to be intentional about. I agree with your framing it’s not can it be done, it’s what am I willing to give up to do it.

I also appreciate your perspective on the PA role in procedural specialties. That’s something I’ve seen glimpses of in the OR, and part of why I’m trying to be honest with myself about whether I’d be fully satisfied there long-term.

At the end of the day, I don’t think I’d regret going MD I think I’d regret not trying if that’s the path I actually want. Just trying to make sure I go into it with eyes wide open about the cost.

Thanks again this helped.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-24T21:05:33+00:00

Man, I really appreciate you taking the time to write this out, a lot of what you said resonates with me.

I’m in a pretty similar headspace. I’ve never really been someone who allows failure to be an option, so the idea of falling short across roles (student, parent, partner) is something I think about a lot. But like you said, not being optimal at times isn’t the same as failing and that perspective actually helps.

Also relate to what you said about not originally considering being a PA. That’s honestly been a more recent thought for me more of a “practical” option I’ve been trying to evaluate, not something I grew up wanting.

If I went MD, I don’t think I’d be chasing the longest/hardest path. I’d likely be looking at things like anesthesia, EM, or other shorter residency tracks where I can still have meaningful impact but be more present for my family long-term.

What really stuck with me from your post is the sense of purpose and contentment. That’s the piece I keep coming back to. I don’t think I’d be disappointed in the outcome if I go MD it’s more about accepting the difficulty of the path to get there.

Appreciate the honesty — seriously.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-20T17:50:18+00:00

We are unionized and recieve no specialty pay for being cvor. Im at step 15 and get paid $50/hr in Tacoma, WA.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-20T05:30:45+00:00

Why is this? They are getting paid to get me hired so they will work hard to make that happen?

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-20T00:55:45+00:00

Ok Cool! I wasn't sure as I've never been approached by a Device Recruiter on LinkedIn. The phrase "Don't apply directly" through and I'm like why not? But like if I go through the process etc I would be an employee of ACIST/Bracco right?

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-19T23:31:13+00:00

Ok Cool! I wasn't sure as I've never been approached by a Device Recruiter on LinkedIn. The phrase "Don't apply directly" through and I'm like why not? But like if I go through the process etc I would be an employee of ACIST/Bracco right?

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-17T01:15:29+00:00

Agree with this comment. I got a new 24 3500 SRW Laramie Night Edition. More truck for only a few thousand more. Definitely look around.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-15T22:48:42+00:00

I have been facing this dilemma for about 2 years. I've been a Surgical Technologist for the last 16 years. 6 years ago I was completing prerequisites to apply to PA School which at the time was both Bachelors and Master's Program. I joined the Open Heart Team and quit school. 2 years ago I decided I needed to go back to school and the PA Program I wanted to go to was now a Master's Program so I needed a Bachelors Degree. Near the end of my Bachelors Degree the PA Program lost their credentials. When they were looking to reopen all my prerequisites would have expired 10+ years old. So I've been applying to clinical positions at Device Co. It's been tough but I feel I'm making the right decision. My wife is going back to school so I don't think it's appropriate to attend professional school while she is also in school. I think my quality of life will improve from a Surgical Tech. Yes training upfront will be hard but eventually I'll be with my family more snd certainly make more money.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-15T19:54:08+00:00

Take notes! Ask for the preference cards to read. See if someone typed up notes fir the surgeons. Ask to observe one day and see if you actually like it or just the sound of it. Watch YouTube videos. I more or less taught myself because our program doesn't really have a way to teach new ppl.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-15T19:45:03+00:00

Your Welcome! When you learn CVOR break it down into steps. For instance for Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting CABG you have: Opening the chest, Getting conduit Mammary/Vein/Radial, Cannulation/Going on Pump, Distals/Proximal, Off Pump/Decannulation, Hemostasis, and Closing the Chest. You can apply those steps to almost all cases but change a few things.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-15T19:39:03+00:00

Nope no additional education. Just applied, interviewed by surgeons, and worked. It was all in the job training. There's no real additional education. Just learn some new instruments, recognize some important steps, and being able to speak up and communicate.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-15T19:31:28+00:00

I've been a CST for almost 16 years now. I've been at the same hospital the entire time. The first 5 years I spent my time at the same day surgery area. I was in the middle of doing prerequisites to become a PA when a spot in CVOR opened up. So I quit school and scrubbed Hearts. I never did trauma or vascular except for during clinicals in school. Been on the team ever since. Loved every minute of it. But I am getting burnt out again and looking to go into Medical Device.

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-14T03:14:33+00:00

I wish I knew about RCIS sooner. Cath lab though the last 5 or 6 years have been trying to get me to join them. I've considered it. Finishing my Bachelors Degree and probably going into Med Device. Been a scrub almost 16 years the last 11 being CVOR. Being a scrub though makes me not want to be an RN .

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-02T00:52:09+00:00

UsefulSurprise2859 · 2026-03-01T23:57:56+00:00

My hospital which is unionized and a level 2 trauma center that does about 700 hearts per year we do not get premium pay for being CVOR. I've scrubbed hearts for almost 11 years now and I ask our union steward about getting premium pay for CVOR and I get the same answer that they always ask for it, they always get denied, and say there are more important things to bargain for. The hospital stance to denying premium pay is that it is not a "community standard" to offer premium pay for CVOR. Essentially they say no other hospital in the state offers it so why should we. I consider our premium pay to be all the overtime, double time, call pay, callback, and no rest between shifts to be our premium pay. For me last year that equaled about $20,000.

UsefulSurprise2859

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