SurgicalTechPrep Blog
Study smarter. Pass the CST exam.
Study guides, procedure breakdowns, and exam strategy to help you pass the NBSTSA CST exam on your first attempt.
CST Practice Question Walkthrough: Surgical Counts and Discrepancy Scenarios
A worked example of how to reason through a surgical count discrepancy question on the CST exam.
May 12, 2026
Spaced Repetition for the CST Exam: A Smarter Way to Memorize Content
How to apply spaced repetition scheduling to CST exam flashcards and content review for better long-term retention.
May 4, 2026
CST Exam Flagging and Review Strategy: Using Mark-for-Review Effectively
How to use the mark-for-review feature on the NBSTSA CST exam without losing time or second-guessing correct answers.
April 26, 2026
How to Read a Surgical Tech Job Posting: Decoding Requirements, Certifications, and Red Flags
A guide to interpreting surgical technologist job postings, distinguishing required versus preferred qualifications, and spotting potential red flags.
April 16, 2026
Surgical Tech Union Representation: What to Know About Collective Bargaining in Healthcare
An overview of union representation for surgical technologists, including what collective bargaining covers and how to evaluate a unionized position.
April 8, 2026
Surgical Tech Salary by State: Regional Pay Variation Explained
Why surgical technologist salaries vary significantly by state and region, and how to research accurate regional pay data before relocating or negotiating.
March 31, 2026
Surgical Tech Resignation: How to Give Notice Professionally and Leave on Good Terms
A guide to resigning from a surgical technologist position professionally, including notice timing, the resignation letter, and exit logistics.
March 23, 2026
Surgical Tech Continuing Education Conferences Worth Attending for CEUs and Networking
A guide to evaluating and choosing continuing education conferences for surgical technologists, balancing CEU value, cost, and networking opportunity.
March 15, 2026
Surgical Tech Salary Negotiation for Travel Contracts: What Agencies Won't Tell You
A guide to negotiating pay rates and contract terms for travel surgical technologist assignments, including bill rate awareness and red flags.
March 7, 2026
Surgical Tech Preceptor vs. Mentor: Understanding the Difference and Getting the Most From Both
The difference between a formal clinical preceptor and an informal career mentor, and how surgical technologists can benefit from both relationships.
February 27, 2026
Building a Professional Network as a Surgical Technologist: AST Chapters and Beyond
Practical ways surgical technologists can build a professional network through AST state chapters, conferences, and online communities.
February 19, 2026
Surgical Tech Resume Keywords That Pass Applicant Tracking Systems
How to optimize a surgical technologist resume with the right keywords and formatting to get past applicant tracking system filters.
February 11, 2026