Why did you choose a career as a surgical first assistant?
"I have always been fascinated with the human body and how it works. Being a surgical assistant gives me the chance to be a part of 'setting things right,' so to speak. I get to assist surgeons and the rest of the surgical team as we try to repair things that aren't working correctly or take care of trauma related injuries that require surgical intervention. I absolutely love what I do!"
"For me, being a surgical first assistant was the next best thing to being a surgeon. I love working in the operating room and seeing first hand the way the human body is intricately made and how each part helps another to function properly. Being a surgical first assistant allows me to be the 'right hand' of the surgeon, but I did not have to devote many years of my life to school. I have never regretted my career choice."
Interviewers almost always ask what caused you to be interested in the career you've chosen. It gives them an opportunity to see how you feel about the work you are doing and what made it stand out among so many career choices, as the right one for you. There is no right or wrong answer here; it's simply a way of opening the door to get to know you.
"When I was younger, I thought of becoming a surgeon. As time went on, I really didn't feel like I wanted to spend the number of years required to become a physician and then to specialize in surgery. For me, the next logical choice was to be a surgical assistant. I still get to be in the operating room and have a part in helping people be better, but I did not have to go to school for as many years as becoming a surgeon would have required."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
In PA school, I was about to head into my surgery rotation. The PA that worked with the surgeon had a reputation of a being a real hard guy. I was quite intimidated going in, but after observing the PA and his skill level, that intimidation changed to me having a strong desire to perform up to his standards. I wanted to emulate him. I quickly became enamored with how surgery was its own world right down to its own overhead paging and I was hooked. Before the end of my 6 weeks, I was closing and doing a phenomenal job. My surgeon commented that I had been hiding my talents under a bushel, a compliment I take much pride in. Surgery in all its facets are a perfect fit for me.
Rachelle's Feedback
Your story is very engaging, and I followed along with interest from the beginning to the end. Great work! It's clear that you have found your stride in the world of surgery :)
Anonymous Answer
Working as an SFA is my dream job. I would like to expand my role as a scrub nurse so that I can work closely with patients and the surgical team in preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative care. I would like to work as the right hand of the surgeon and trying to help the surgeon to do the surgery more easily and efficiently. I would also like to strengthen my knowledge of surgical procedures and learn new procedures each day. I could pay more attention to the surgical sites including suctioning, cauterizing, deep retracting. Moreover, I feel that I would get to know more about my patients and their surgical care.
Marcie's Feedback
Great answer! You list multiple reasons as to why you'd like to move from a scrub nurse to a surgical first assistant, which is great. Perhaps you can consider expanding more on why you like to work closely with patients and surgical teams. What about this appeals to you? Also, you might explain further why you're interested in learning more about surgical procedures.
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