Hey everyone! Unfortunately I have been in a really tough situation and was unable to pay my CE credit fees and renewal until the last minute. I signed on to complete and submit the morning before expiration and i was locked out of my account, it took 3 days to hear back from support to get me back into my account by which point of course i could not finish my CE within my deadline.

I dont want to get personal but i literally have no money for this exam fee and with my situation about to turn for the worst, i wont have it for another month at least. This was in january and now i am seeing posts in this group of people saying if it is past 6 months, i will have to redo clinical. Is this true? I have already emailed AST support but am still waiting to hear back. If so, do you know if is the full 6 months of clinical? I should have just sucked up my pride and asked my parents for the money!

Lastly, are there other exams through a different agency or accreditation i can do that are cheaper? Am i able to share this documentation with AST & NBSTSA to submit renewal?

Thanks in advance

Hello!
I’m currently a registered nurse trained to scrub neurosurgery cases at the hospital I work at. I’m having a hard time figuring out the tools and steps they’re used in once the procedure gets to the actual instrumentation phase. I have a very hollow understanding of the instruments and would really like to hear from more experienced techs on what exactly these instruments are used for.
From my limited knowledge; I’ll try and detail what I do know when we start. And it ‘d be awesome if I could get some feedback on if I’m correct, somewhat correct or plain wrong.

Make a starting point, usually by a Midas drill to create a pilot hole. I’ve seen some surgeons use an awl to get to the right depth they prefer into the pedicle or a X mm Tap which creates the threads for the screw to go in. Usually a ball tipped probe to feel the edges to make sure they’re full surrounded by bone. Now the actual screw via a screw driver. A head turner situates the tulip heads in a position they prefer. A rod template is used to measure the length of the rod, cut via a rod cutter, then bent via a rod bender. They place the rod inside of the tulip head of the screw and then attach set screws via set screw drivers to lock the rod in place with the screw. In situ benders can be used to shape the rod while fixated in the screws to create lordosis, kyphosis etc to fit the curve of the spine.

Now some of the instruments I just don’t really know the what and the whys for are: gear shifts, compressors, distractors, and drill guides

Most of the vendors that work with us are Medtronic, K2M, ATEC, sometimes seaspine and Globus for robots.

I’m not sure why I sometimes see an awl used and sometimes I don’t. Same with the ball tip probe.

Thanks for any advice and tips!