Ansley Harrell’s enthusiasm for her work as a surgical technologist is contagious. When she first showed me how to use a cutting-edge laparoscopic surgery simulator to zap gallstones, I was immediately captivated. I gave it my best shot and scored an 89% -- not quite the score you’d want from your surgeon, but still not too shabby for an amateur! Still, what stuck with me wasn’t the simulator – it was Ansley’s passion and the pride she takes in playing a critical role on the surgical team.

With so many career paths in the healthcare field, how do people respond when you tell them you are studying to be a surgical technologist?

They usually say, “Oh, you pass instruments to the surgeon.” But it is so much more than that! Every single day, I make a difference.

What does making a difference look like in a surgical tech’s day-to-day work?

Let’s say you’re assigned to an operating room that has three cases. You get a pick sheet, which outlines everything you need for a specific surgical procedure – the instruments, supplies, equipment, medications, surgeon’s preferences. You pick those things for your case cart and get it set up either that morning or the night before, depending on your shift. You want to make sure everything’s ready so that when the surgeon comes in, you can rock and roll – it’s very fast-paced from there.

At first, that pace was the most difficult thing for me. I learn in steps, so I’d go from building a case cart to setting up my Mayo stand, to prepping and draping and inserting a Foley catheter. But once the surgeon came in, my mind would go blank! Everyone is moving and talking – the RN, the nurse anesthetist, and the other surg tech. It’s overwhelming at first. But now that I’ve been in so many surgeries, I know the process, and I’ve had the guidance of knowledgeable preceptors [experienced surgical techs who serve as mentors], it’s much easier.

What really grounds me though is something Ms. Brie Weber, the manager of our program, taught us from day one: the importance of surgical conscience. It might be easy to dissociate yourself from the patient because it’s your everyday job, but you also have to remember what it’s like to have your mom or brother or child or spouse in the hospital. That’s what I think about when I’m in surgery. It doesn’t matter how simple the surgery is; I want my patient’s loved ones to know they’re in good hands. I want my patient to wake up and see a smile on their loved ones’ faces. That’s how I make a difference every single day.

That’s so impactful! It sounds like the education you’ve received at Central Carolina Technical College has been hands-on and eye-opening. Tell us more about it.

I have learned so much at Central Carolina – working with laparoscopic equipment, passing the right instrument to the surgeon at the right time, positioning patients correctly, moving them to the bed. I’ve also learned anatomy – all the muscles, veins, arteries – which you have to know when making an incision. And I know how important a surgeon’s preferences are – from something as small as their glove size to how the surgery is performed. I’ve even learned how to operate a robot!

The instructors at Central Carolina know that hands-on experience is key to being a good surgical tech. That’s why they get you into the hospitals in your second semester. In the five semesters I’ve been in the program, I’ve been to hospitals across the state – including multiple McLeod, MUSC, and Prisma locations – as well as two different oral maxillofacial places. Going to all those different facilities has taught me how to adapt to different situations, personalities, and techniques.

What is the range of your experience? Can you be in any kind of surgery?

Yes ma’am – anything from a little pediatrics ENT tube case to a bowel obstruction case to a spine surgery. I love working with pediatric patients. I’ve been in a couple of traumas. Rib platings are cool to see. Those can be done laparoscopically or open and help repair broken ribs. I’ve been in a lot of knee and hip replacement surgeries. I have not done a craniotomy yet, but I would really like to. That’s anything to do with the brain, and it’s not too common to see a student in that surgery. Whether I scrub in or not, I would love to see one before I’m out of college.

If our readers are considering this career path, what do you think they should know about it?

Know that it’s a high-demand, fast-paced, on-your-feet job. A lot of surgical techs go into an RN program after they work in the field for a little while because they want to do more of the desk work and less being on their feet.

Also, being surprised is a good thing in this field. When I scrubbed into my first case, I was surprised at how different it was from mock surgery. That experience opened my eyes to how real and raw surgery can be. As a surgical tech, you’re always learning new things. It’s more of a red flag if you’re not surprised.

Was choosing this field of study a surprise for you, or did you always lean towards healthcare?

My grandma and my aunt were nurses, and my mom was a teacher, so the women in my family have always had a desire to help people. I knew I wanted to do surgery in some capacity without being an actual surgeon. When I saw that the surgical technology program was five semesters and that I already qualified for it, I knew that was the path for me.

My grandma always said that I needed to be able to take care of myself before I could take care of others, and that fits with being a surgical technologist. I’m taking care of myself in the OR because I’m doing work I love. But I’m also taking care of my patients. Besides that, my fiancé’s grandmother has lupus and several other health concerns. I’ve lived with her and been her caretaker for about 4½ years.

Wow! What do you do when you’re not taking care of others?

Well, besides preparing for graduation in May, I’m also planning a wedding. My fiancé Collin and I are getting married in September! We’ve done college together, which is such a beautiful story. We both started out in the medical field, and I stayed because that’s where my passion is. But he took the insurance route. He is so good at selling things, he likes it, and it’s work that fits him.

Besides those two huge milestones, I’m artsy. I love making Christmas tree bows – it’s simple but, it brings me joy. And I love shopping… though that’s more of an issue than a hobby!

Before we wrapped up our conversation, Ansley shared her favorite quote with me: “Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” It’s clear that whether this joyful young woman is in the operating room or planning her next big life step, Ansley Harrell is facing the sunshine – and helping others do the same!