[medsurgnurse]

Originally Posted by KVYEng

I have an M.S. in Industrial Engineering and have worked in healthcare (operations improvement) for several years and now know that I want to be a CRNA. I have worked with nurses and respect them, but I just see myself more as a CRNA (with the knowledge that I have between the two). I am planning to return to an accelerated BSN program in the fall. I know that there is a requirement of at least one year of acute care nursing before even applying to CRNA programs. I am already almost 31 so I'm "late", but I am really just trying understand the reasoning behind this...is it really more for experience? Why can't I get experience from being a CRNA?

Thank you,
KVY

I can't help myself I have to reply. I'm sorry but working in operations management is not "working in healthcare". And when and if you become an RN or CRNA you will be working human life not machines. A human life will be in your your hands and you must know how to handle any and every situation in a second and on instinct grown out of years of experience as an RN. You scare the shiit out of me.

[Nitecap]

Originally Posted by lonestargas

Man! Where do you work??!?!? I never heard of a CVVHD pt being anything but a 1:1 and where I work, we don't take them to scans unless it's time to change out the set. For sure, you're getting great experience but I think also being abused!

Worked in a 41 bed CVICU in a large Htown hospital. CVVHD 1:1, yeah right. No offense but CVVH is not that hard to manage. A little time consuming, esp if the the machine is acting up of if you have access problems but for the most part if you can add and subtract and make judgement calls based on your BP its cake. Try managing a bleedsing fresh BIVAD on cvvh, maxed on all drips, icechest full of products at bedside, and you are running balls to the wall.

AS well if the pt isnt super unstable and a CT is pertinent to diagnoses of new problems than hey the CVVHD can always be restarted.

[lonestargas]

That sounds dangerous....I work in the DFW area. But hey, here we only use CVVHD if the pt is maxed on gtts and too unstable for hemo. That is, on other equip. i.e. balloon pump, LVAD, vent, etc. I hope our managers don't hear about what you guys are doing...it would be the end of our 1:1. And not to discount how hard it must be for you where you work, but you're right, it doesn't take more than an ability to add and subtract to do CVVHD; it's just handling the comorbidities that a pt has if they truly need CVVH that takes up time. It's great to find out how other critical care nurses work too!

[Nitecap]

The podular layout of semiprivate rooms helpd to manage more than one pt with devices. With 6 pt's per large pod you pretty much are never away from the bedside and if so another nurse hopefully has your back. CVVHD is started rather early where we work. There is now largely convincing evidence that the earlier it is started the better chance the kidneys have of recovering if they take a hit.

[CS_2_RN]

WOW! It always amazes me how rude and bold people can be with their comments in cyberspace. The anonymity of the internet makes saying what ever you want to whoever is on the forum just fine. You making assumptions about my drive is simply rediculus. I could make a lot of assumptions about you but I won't. I was just responding to the post. Which you could do to keep a civilized discussion going in this forum. Also understanding your terminology is not hard even if you're not a health professional. It just takes a little reading. And if you need to know about my intellect, I'm already accepted to an accelerated nursing program that will take me directly into the CRNA program after my one year experience in the ICU. In addition I also have great scores on the MCAT which can get me into Med school or AA school.

I look at gaswork.com from time to time but there are more jobs for CRNA's because there are more CRNA's.

So, since this post is not about me but the person may have the same concerns as I, like, time spent in school, dealing with shiznit, and have no problem with being directed by an Anesthesiologist - they may want to skip the nurse part and go AA. It's just another route to consider. Remember, if your heart isn't in it, why do it?

[traumaRUs]

This is a very lively discussion and though not my area of expertise, let's keep this polite and on target. Thanks everyone!

[Amy O. Darone]

The reason you must first have critical care experience is because book knowledge alone is not enough. The rest of the ability that is critical to being a good anesthesia provider is learning to be vigilant for subtle but acute changes in your patient--it's honing your instincts and learning that some patients present totally different than with textbook signs and symptoms. I have found that school has taught me a lot, but on the job experience and learning from your mistakes teaches you even more. In fact, without critical care experience, I don't think anyone is really ready.

Age really doesn't matter when you enter a profession, so don't be in a blazing hurry. It is better to be confident in your abilities before you move into that arena. I agree with the other person who mentioned that you should spend some time shadowing with CRNA's to get a feel for what the job really is--and I'm not talking about snoozing a toenail removal or declot fistulas--watch some big AAA's or sick hearts.

It is not until you work in critical care and gain those insights that you will realize how invaluable it truly is. And someday you will be glad for that.

[NRSKarenRN]

Originally Posted by Katie612

Do you think its REALLY necessary to get that time in adult care?

Unless you are choosing at age 22 to limit yourself to working in pediatrics only, one needs experience in working with adults. Caring for patients bodily excrement's is just one part of being a nurse.

Working in an ICU environment teaches one how to look for minute clues, subtle signs and symptoms that if caught early can prevent full blown crises...skills one needs in anesthesia. Learning from "patients lived healthcare experience" has been the biggest educator in my nursing career. Lessons learned have helped me so much with future patients.

Experience really is the best teacher.

[Katie612]

Yeah, I am sure you are right... I think since I am so fresh out of school and haven't had much clinical experience to speak of, it still feels a bit strange to care for a grown adult in such a personal way. With children its second nature, I could change a baby's diaper with one hand tied behind my back. Its not so easy with a 200 lb man... Plus I love kids and young families.

Don't get me wrong though, I am looking foward to working in critical care... I love the interpersonal relationships you develop with pts and fams... I love learning about the multiple complex health issues critical pts have. I love the fast-paced, high tech environment that the intensive care offers. And most of all, I like being a support for people when they are in such a vulnerable postition, where my kindness and support can make a huge difference in their life!

[deepz]

Originally Posted by CS_2_RN

........I look at gaswork.com from time to time but there are more jobs for CRNA's because there are more CRNA's. ..........

The other way around, actually: the number of ads will reflect high demand due to the short supply of CRNAs.

As to the need for acute care experience as a prerequisite:

http://www.gaspasser.com/unique.html

Best of luck.

deepz