No, I Don’t Want to Be a Nurse — And That’s Okay

Let me go ahead and say this loud and clear: Tatyana does not want to be a nurse. (Yes, I third-personed that. 😂)

Now before anyone gets it twisted — this is not a post bashing nursing.

This is about being honest with yourself, your passions, and the path that’s right for you. There’s this unspoken assumption in healthcare that surgical technology is just a stepping stone — something you do until you become a nurse or go to med school. And for some people, it is. And that’s totally fine. But for others — for me — this isn’t a stepping stone.

It’s a calling. It’s a specialty. It’s a career that brings me joy, challenge, and meaning.

And it deserves the same respect as any RN, MD, or DO path.

Because here’s the truth:

If everyone became a nurse, who would fill the hundreds of other critical roles in the hospital?

Healthcare runs because of a team — surgical techs, radiology techs, anesthesia techs, CNAs, transport, sterile processing, housekeeping, you name it.

It all matters. We all matter. And nursing? It’s not just about money, job security, or public approval.

It’s a calling of its own — and if your heart’s not in it, you’ll feel it every shift.

So for anyone who feels pressured to "move up" or "go further" — just know:

There’s power in owning your lane.

There’s pride in being a CST.

And there’s peace in loving the work you do because it’s yours, not because someone else told you it should be. I’ll be right here, behind the drape, with CST after my name — and loving every minute of it.