[yoga crna]

What I mean by "nurse mode" is this. In my opinion, nurses like to eat their young, complain instead of offering a solution and look at the negative side of professional and power issues. I know I am generalizing, and for this I apologize, but understand I have been a keen observer of these personality traits for close to 47 years. It is one reason why I love being a CRNA: we look for solutions and work for our own well-being. Sure the AANA doesn't get it 100% correct every time, but neither does the A$A, but it is interesting how the MDs stick together with a united voice while we keep kicking each other.

There are some very serious threats to our profession. Everyone of us should fight to preserve our right to practice in whatever way we can. Some of us are able to be more vocal than others, some put their money into the cause, every one of us should communicate with our legislatures on both the state and federal level and all of us must support and defend our profession.
YogaCRNA

[nilepoc]

Yoga,

I agree with you, and I back the AANA. I recently attended the mid year conference, and will be attending the annual one. I think that the AANA is our future. I do not however treat it like a religion. I may agree with what they say, but I retain the right to examine the methods. After all, every SRNA takes a research course teaching them to be critical thinkers. I feel that by understanding the tactics of both sides, I am a stronger lobbyist for the AANA. What I do not want the AANA to get into is a ******* match, with a tit for tat policy. We need to be the rational ones. Currently the ASA is looking quite irrational. We need to point that out. How can they say that AA's are safe, and CRNA's are unsafe? Where is the silber study on this one? With a leading title like "Do AA's benefit from direct MDA supervision"

I would really like to see the ASA stance on defining supervision as it relates to AA practice. Currently very few institutions are willing to tackle the actual defining of supervision as it relates to CRNAs,.

Craig

[fergus51]

Originally posted by SharonMH31

This is so typical of the hypocrisy that physicians exhibit in regards to non-physician providers of care, screaming to the public that it's about safety when it is really all about money and control.

Not to start a flame, but don't you think that's what AAs are saying about CRNAs? no one wants to lose their bread and butter

[yoga crna]

Craig,
I agree with your statement about critical thinking and know how important it is in all phases of anesthesia practice. While I have been a critic of the AANA's lack of an effective public relations campaign in the past, I see improvements in the last few years. My point to this discussion is rather simple, have a clear message that each one of us can expound like a mantra, do it whenever it is appropriate and continue to fight for our right to practice.

I will give you some of the examples I use in my practice. By the way, I am an independent practitioner in a practice with VERY high profile patients. Yesterday I gave an anesthetic to an attorney whose name is in the newspaper every day. There is no supervision of any kind in my practice.

These are are few of the phrases I use:
1. Both nurses and doctors give anesthesia. The anesthesia portion of our education is the same, I bring a nursing approach which is to give my total attention to you during your anesthetic and to make sure your anesthesia experience is safe and comfortable.

2. I have administered anesthesia for many years and believe me the surgeons wouldn't utilize my services if I wasn't good.

3. The surgeon likes having a nurse anesthetist -- there is only room for one doctor ego in the operating room.

4. We have been administering anesthesia for over 100 years and would not be still around if our care wasn't excellent. (this is overused, but it works)

5. Nurse anesthesiology is considered one of the best professions in the country; only the best can get in the programs, the standards are high and the opportunities abound.

6. If it were not for the advances in anesthesia, modern surgery would not have advanced as it has. Nurse anesthetists have had a significant role in these advances.

I spend a lot of time talking with my patients, both pre and post-op. I know that many of you cannot do that, but take every opportunity you have to promote our profession. It is the least you can do.
YogaCRNA

[loisane]

Nilepoc wrote:"I would really like to see the ASA stance on defining supervision as it relates to AA practice."

I believe this is the crux of the matter. It is easily found in the ASA literature. The ASA definition of the ACT (anesthesia care team) is fundamentally different from that of nurse anesthesia.
Go to the ASA website, and look for ACT and you can read all about their vision.

The ASA view is that anesthesia, by definition, is the practice of medicine. Nurse anesthetists only authority to perform anesthesia derives from the medical delegation to do so, the MDA is always the final authority.

The March issue of the ASA newsletter featured AAs. Here are some quotes:

“we realize that physicians must remain in charge of all aspects of medicine, including the delivery of anesthesia care”

“In re-examining the physician extender component of the anesthesia care team, AAs come to the forefront.”

ASA NEWSLETTER , March 2003, Volume 67, Number 3
read it on line at: http://www.asahq.org/Newsletters/2003/03_03/mackey.html

loisane crna

[nilepoc]

Thank you Loisane,

I will look at that article a little later. Right now, its Miller time. (Ronald D. Miller that is)

Craig

[cwazycwissyRN]

I am from Colorado. I used to work in rual Colorado where are anesthesia was provided by CRNAs'. I was amazed at how few people in the community, was even aware that the CRNA's were not doctors(anesthesiologist). I think it would do the profession of CRNAs a justice if they introduced themselves as such. I feel they need to make it know they have been providing anesthesia for eons of years. I feel alot of the public is unaware of this. I have too often heard the introduction of " I am your anesthesia provider". The public needs educated on CRNA's. Just my oppionion.

[loisane]

cwazycwissyRN,

Unfortunately, I believe your observation to be all too true.

This has been an ongoing issue among anesthetists. We try to keep educating our people to clearly identify themselves. But, for some reason, this simple thing seems difficult for some people.

(Sigh)We just have to keep trying, one person at a time. Thanks for bringing this to the attention of this board. I hope people will develop good habits, and stick with them.

loisane crna

[TraumaNurse]

I have to agree too. First, we need to get rid of the negativity towards nursing in general. If CRNAs were proud to be nurses and of the nursing profession, it would be a lot easier to acknowledge that he/she is a "nurse" anesthetist. The publics perception of nursing needs to change. They need to know that nurses are not simply maids and butt cleaners, but highly educated health care professionals that are an important part of the healthcare team. It's all about educating the public. Johnson and Johnson is making an attempt. Nurses need to stand up and be vocal and stick together to make nursing a strong and respected profession. Just my 2 cents.

[MICU RN]

While I applaud Johnson and Johnson for their attempt to help recruit people into nursing. I think the theme they used for their ad campaign did very little to promote our image. It actually stressed the old belief that all you have to do well to be a nurse is just care . I cringed when I saw their commercial and theme about how much nurses care, if that is all we have to emphasize when promoting nursing then we deserve the old stereotype of being caring hand maidens. I for one try to point out to people whenever possible that nursing school is hard and that many go through 4 year university programs to become one. Also, I try to inform people about the education requirements to become a CRNA, 6-7 years of college and at least one year of critical care experience. I also feel that when we as profession harp on the caring aspect that we are some how implying that the others health care workers don't care as much, because they don't constatntly mention it. I think it starts in nursing school with the heavy emphasis on being the supreme patient advocate and caring health care provider regardless of our work conditions or low pay. I think the the change needs to start in nursing school. The old sterotypes are going to be hard to change and will take years; just recently when I was on vaction I was talking to a retired military person and when I told him what I do he said that was great they really need men in the profession to help turn all those big patients. I wanted to ask if he thought I said nurses aid or RN and that did he realize that in the military RN's with BSN's are commissioned officers. As i said we have along way to go for respect as a profession.