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In the current study, 14% of RNs reported their primary practice specialty was acute care/critical care compared to 11.4% in 2015. The second most frequently selected specialty was medical-surgical; 8.5% of RN respondents selected this specialty in 2017 compared to 10.1% in 2015. Perioperative was the third most frequently selected specialty by 5.8% of 2017 respondents. RNs selecting other specialties (14.1%) represented a decrease from 17.0% in 2015.

Surgical technologists assist in surgical operations. Most surgical technologists work in hospitals. They spend much of their time on their feet. Surgical technologists typically need a postsecondary nondegree award or an associate’s degree. Certification can be beneficial in finding a job. A small number of states regulate surgical technologists. Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Advances in medical technology have made surgery safer, and more operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries.