To the Surgical Tech that feels defeated 🩺

As someone who has navigated the challenging environment of the operating room, I understand how overwhelming it can feel when you're still building your strength and skill as a surgical tech. The moments when a surgeon's frustration becomes apparent are especially tough. It’s natural to feel anxious and worry that you’re not measuring up, but it’s important to remember that their emotions do not define your abilities or your future. One of the best pieces of advice I received early on was to focus on the task immediately in front of me rather than worrying about the bigger picture or past mistakes. When a surgeon gets frustrated, instead of freezing or overthinking, I learned to center myself by focusing on finding the correct instruments and anticipating the next step in the procedure. This helped me stay present and perform better under pressure. Confidence in the operating room is not instant—it builds case by case, surgeon by surgeon. The most skilled surgical techs I know were once students overwhelmed by the fast pace and complexity of the OR. They became confident through repetition and experience, embracing every mistake as a lesson and every difficult situation as a chance to grow resilience. If you haven't found your strength yet, remember that learning this skill set is a process that takes time. It’s okay not to know everything immediately. Keep showing up, asking questions, and learning from every case. Every challenge you face is building your expertise and resilience. Your current skill level is not your final skill level—you have more growth ahead than you realize. In this journey, connecting with others who are going through similar experiences can be a huge help. Whether through forums, social media groups, or mentorship, sharing challenges and successes can provide valuable support and encouragement. Keep pushing forward—your persistence will pay off, and soon you'll find yourself not only belonging but excelling in the OR.