[SigmaSRNA]

Just wanted to get some info about life in a VA hospital for a nurse anesthetist.

[vaRN]

Well, I am not a CRNA at the VA yet but they are sending me to school right now to become one and I owe them 3 years when I get out. My mentor, a VA CRNA and soon to be AVANA (Association of VA Nurse Anesthetists) President stresses how much each VA differs. Depending on the state, the head of the department, etc. If you have a question about a particular VA I guarantee she could give me the low down. If you would like to PM me with the location, I can try to get the scoop for you. Also, I start my clinicals at a VA in June, I might be able to help you then.

[SigmaSRNA]

I really want to move to atlanta when I finish school, so I was looking at the atlanta VA. How is the VA program? where do you do clinicals?

[NGACRNA]

Go to:

http://www.anesthesia.med.va.gov/ane...page.cfm?pg=52

Call Mr. Winger (his number is near the bottom of the webpage). Great opportunity for VA RNs to be VA CRNAs. Get paid to learn! And none of that funny army exercise stuff at 5 am! (a joke to my former military comrades)

And yes, different VAs have different ways of dealing with anesthesia.

[vaRN]

Originally Posted by SigmaSRNA

I really want to move to atlanta when I finish school, so I was looking at the atlanta VA. How is the VA program? where do you do clinicals?

We do didactic in San Antonio, TX at Fort Sam Houston and clinicals in Augusta, GA. I'll see if I can find out about Atlanta next week for you when my mentor gets back. We are the first group in the program and I believe we are getting trained by the Best!! These guys have to know how to be independent providers on the battlefield in any situation, and that is the training that we are getting, even as civilians!!

[blazeboy97]

I recently graduated from a local anesthesia program that used the Augusta, GA VA as a clinical site. If anyone is interested in how things work there for SRNAs or the CRNAs just send me a PM.