Surgical technologist apprenticeship helps stay-at-home mom rejoin workforce

A stay-at-home mom of three home-schooled children, Rebecca Johnson was looking to rejoin the workforce, preferably in the medical field. The Grand Rapids, Minnesota, woman didn't know what kind of options she would have. Until her husband, Mitch, emergency medical services senior manager at Essentia Health-Deer River, mentioned Essentia's new apprenticeship for surgical technologists.

Johnson was intrigued. She had previously studied to become a licensed practical nurse. Her favorite rotation was surgery.

The opportunity seemed to check all the boxes for her. She could return to the operating room while pursuing her certification as a registered surg tech. The best part? Johnson would be paid for her 40-hour work weeks throughout the 12-month program, and she would have the flexibility to do much of her studying during shifts in the OR.

“I think the best part is being able to make an income while I’m getting that hands-on experience,” the 40-year-old says. “And the flexibility to use the downtime here for studying made it really easy as a mom.”

Johnson graduated from the apprenticeship program on Thursday, June 4. She was surrounded by family and many of the Essentia teammates she has leaned on and learned from the past year.

“The team here is amazing,” Johnson says. “Every single one of them helped me through this. They were incredible, always willing to teach and help me learn.”

A registered apprenticeship through the U.S. Department of Labor and with the State of Minnesota, the 12-month paid program combines on-the-job training with mentorship from certified surgical technologists and formal instruction through STAT 605.

As a surg tech, Johnson is a key member of the surgical team, working alongside surgeons, nurses and other medical professionals to ensure procedures occur safely and efficiently. Primary responsibilities include preparing the operating room, assisting during surgeries by passing instruments to surgeons and maintaining a sterile environment to guard against infections.

Johnson loves to learn. She says the structure of the program — being able to apply, almost immediately, what she was studying in a hands-on role — “anchored a lot of the learning for me. It made everything sort of go together and stick.”

Johnson traveled to Essentia sites in Duluth, Virginia, Brainerd and Grand Rapids to gain exposure to a variety of settings and procedures.

Reflecting on her journey, she is grateful. Johnson believes a lot of working moms and dads would benefit from an apprenticeship like this one.

“A lot of people cannot afford to stop working and go to school, especially if you have a family,” she says. “That can be very difficult.”

For Ray Kordek, program manager for surgical technology in Essentia’s East Market, that’s precisely the reason for the innovative program. Workforce shortages in healthcare are becoming more pronounced, especially in rural communities. Thinking outside the box to fill a critical gap led Kordek and his colleagues to combine learning and working in a flexible setting that would hopefully entice new candidates.

“The surgical tech apprenticeship program is more than a workforce solution — it’s an investment in our patients, our communities and the future of rural healthcare,” Kordek says. “For these facilities, where recruitment can be especially challenging, this program can make a real difference by training local talent who are more likely to stay and serve where they live. This kind of real-world learning helps strengthen access to safe, high-quality surgery close to home, and allows our teams to continue making a healthy difference in patients’ lives.”

In addition to her coworkers, Johnson credited Kordek and her STAT 605 instructor, Erin Howardson, for helping her see the program through. They were always accessible.

“They were definitely my advocates,” she says. “I’m so grateful for them.”

Johnson also expressed thanks to the leadership team at the hospital.

"I want to express my deep gratitude to my leaders for their unwavering support throughout my program," she said. "Their guidance, encouragement and belief in my potential provided the foundation for me to fully immerse myself in the experience. Because of their support, I gained not only the skills but the confidence to reach the milestones that have brought me this far."

Johnson’s leaders had high praise for her during Thursday’s graduation celebration.

“Rebecca is an incredible, driven person,” said Angie Smith, nursing director at Essentia Health-Deer River. “She comes to work with a strong work ethic, a genuine dedication to learning and a clear commitment to doing things the right way. She doesn’t just show up — she shows up ready to grow, ready to contribute and ready to give her very best.

“She is the kind of team member who can be counted on, who stays organized and who approaches her responsibilities with both care and confidence. Her reliability, attention to detail and willingness to jump right in are qualities that make a real difference every day.”

Added Miranda Schultz, surgery supervisor at Essentia Health-Deer River: “We all had confidence in you from the very beginning, but now I can truly see that you have it in yourself. And you should, because you are absolutely crushing it.

“Watching you in the operating room this week — your ability to ask thoughtful questions, accept feedback with professionalism and continuously push yourself to improve — has been so rewarding. You didn’t just want to ‘get through’ the program; you pushed yourself to be excellent.”