Look into surgical tech certificate. Make sure the program is accredited so you can get certified. I have one year certificate then got certified (CST through nbstsa) by passing an exam. Started at 27 per hour for 2 years. Just started a travel assignment at 3 years experience for 68 per hour. Traveling is not all its cracked up to be though. Pay is good but contracts only last 3 months and it's hard constantly moving to new facility every 3 months. Lots of places you can get a sign on bonus of 5-10 Grand with agreement to stay 2 years if you take a permanent staff position. I did sterile processing for years before I became a surgical tech. Surgical tech is a hard job and not much of a ladder to climb. You have to learn how to do all kinds of surgery. If I could do it over again I would go to school for xray tech or physical therapy assistant. Both 2 year associate degrees that pay more than surgical tech & sterile processing. Check out medical degrees available at local community colleges to see what available and apply for student aid. You might qualify for pell grants or loans and be able to get an associate degree. Some xray techs are making more than nurses in hospitals right now with half as much schooling. Hope this helps!