[ctbsurf]

i agree w/ you micu. nursing has stuggled to change their image, and even though they have come a long way, i believe there is much more to be done. no other "professional" would accept or even be expected to do some of the menial tasks that are required of nurses. "this soup isn't hot enough, i need my urinal, i just crapped in my bed, brush my teeth, comb my hair, my call bell has been ringing for five minutes what took you so long." I truly didn't go to college to juggle these tasks yet ~75% of time is spent doing these tasks and others similar to it. in today"s society, nursing in my opinion, even though it is called a profession, certainly isn't seen as one. and working as one i certainly don't feel like a professional when i compare myself to the way society views bankers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc....
now......nurses are of course extremely important and as patient advocates we play a pivotal role in the well being and ultimate survival of our patients. there are some great nurses out there who understand this important role but unfortunatly they are in the minority. i don't know how many times i have heard nurses say, "i can't believe dr. xyz didn't order this or that" yet don't do anything because thier excuse is, "well i'm not the doctor i'm just a nurse." it is attitudes like this that will keep the view and ultimate profession of nursing from progressing. also, it is for these reasons the nusing deficit will continue to be difficult to fill, and nursing turn-over will continue to rise as current nurses seek to find better opportunities elsewhere.

and on a lighter note...

i hope everyone as a fun and safe new year!!!

-chris

[smogmatt]

In my interviews I mentioned I had the goal of becoming a CRNA when I started RN school, I want to do anesthesia because of I liked the job not the job’s pay, not because I was burnt out on nursing or looking for a quick raise. The admissions committees seemed to like this “motivator”.

My dad graduated in accounting primarily because of the $$, he ended up hating the job and tried to do something w/ degree w/out doing his degree. It has been very important to know what exactly I am jumping into and know that I will enjoy it.

My 2 cents

[hollyxuk]

Hi, i am a registered nurse, working in england, and have been reading these posts with interest. Things seem to be done very differently here, but there is obviously a huge shortage of nurses in both countries. I was particualrily interested in reading how nurse anaethaetists apply and train. I have been qualified for 6 years and work in an elderly rehabilitation unit. I have been ready for a change and challenge for some time and have been lucky enough to successfully apply for a job in theatres as an anasethetic nurse, I would appreciate any general advice or insights, since this is a new challneg for the new year. Also, the pay is no different to that of nurses working in a general ward.

[Qwiigley]

What exactly does this new job entail, hollyxuk?

[megmermaid]

They used to be called operating theaters- if you visit a really old one you will see there are seats all around for spectators (medical students) and it really does look like a theater. I bet hollyxuk and others in England just call the OR by this different name.
I toured the oldest hospital in the US while in philly and got to see the OR "theatre" which, by the way, was opened and in use before the invention of anesthetics. Crazy, huh! (I love stuff like that)
The job you describe sound more like an assistant than a CRNA, though... so could you explain it more?

[megmermaid]

Thanks for starting this post, loisane. I may not be a CRNA yet, but I hate that look you can get when you tell someone about this goal. You almost have to convince people you're not in it for the money---guilty until proven innocent. I don't think I could last through the long hours and hard work unless I had a deeper motivation than just money.

[hollyxuk]

In england we call operating rooms theatres. As far as Im aware, I will be trained up to work with the anesthetics, to consent patients and accept them from the ward for surgery, prep the patient and make sure all equipment, gases, drugs are checked and avaiable, and administered as appropriate, check patient is fully prepped, also to work in recovery, supervising and monitoring patient until well enough to return to ward. This is only the basics, and i understand that it takes quite a while, before I can work unsupervised. I hope to have the opportunity to gain more clinical skills, I also hope to get back to hands on patinet care, in my current job I am a ward manager and drowning in paperwork. Does any of the above sound like something an american nurse working in anesethetics would do?

[London88]

Hollyxuk,
Do you actually administer the anesthetic? What does your training entail? I was under the impression that there are no certified registered nurse anesthetists in the UK. Is an advanced degree in nursing required for your position?

[hollyxuk]

sorry, my spelling isnt very good, work with the anaethetist, and I certainly hope I wont be administering any anaesthetics independently for a long time.

[loisane]

This enthusiasm and positive energy is fabulous. I am so glad to see so very many people motivated by more than the money.

As I understand anesthesia in the UK, it is all given by physicians, who are referred to as "anesthetists".

Holly, in the US surgical areas where I have worked we had RNs who work in "pre-op holding" or "anesthesia holding". They do many of the things you describe-consents, start IVs, and general preparation before entering the actual operating area. Many surgical areas also had non-nurse technicians who help anesthesia providers with supplies, gas tanks, etc. In other places anesthesia was on there own to keep all their stock in order.

The pre op nurses didn't really work directly with anesthesia, although of course they worked closely together. Post anesthesia is usually a separate department of RNs, also working in close association with pre-op and anesthesia.

Our patients typically go from holding to the actual operating room. In the operating room general anesthesia is induced, the patient is draped, and surgery is performed. The patient isn't moved from this room until the surgery is over.

I understand that induction rooms are used in the UK. Is that right? So, if I understand, the patient is induced in one room, then moved to the room where the actual surgery will be performed. I'll be interested to read your observations on this (once you get there!)

loisane crna