CRNA anything like nursing?

[whatnext]

I was wondering if being a CRNA is anything like being a hospital nurse. The reason is I currently hate my RN job after only 6 months.

I graduated from an RN program last May and am working towards a CRNA degree. I took a job in CVSU at the hospital nearby (about 450 beds) as opposed to the ICU position I was offered in a 200 bed hospital 45 min away since it was close and paid more. I was told I could transfer to a critical care unit after 6 months. Now I'm hearing it will take at least a year, maybe more to go to ICU or CCU, longer for CVRU.

The problem is that I dread going to work. I love taking care of my pts, don't mind cleaning the hind ends, vomit, putting in foleys, etc. I don't know exactly why I don't like it, but I do. Sometimes I feel like I'm back to being a waitress, only with more responsibility.

I can't imagine having to stay at least 6 more months and then work in ICU another 2 yrs (the schools around here that I've looked at all require 2 yrs experience in ICU). I've considered applying to another hospital, esp b/c we moved closer to the level I trauma center here--I figured I'd wait until I have 1 year experience at least, but what if that's worse? I have been in the OR observing 5 times now and like that atmosphere better. I observed an open heart a few months ago and the anesthesiologist let me stand by him while he explained things to me (the CRNA came in once in awhile but the MDA did most of the procedure) and I loved it!

How do I get through these next few years? I'm trying to make the most of it, give it a chance. Am I just being a whiner? This is my second degree, already have a BS in conservation biology. I was the top student in my nursing courses. I don't want to keep going through school for a career I won't like again. I need some encouragement.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Passgasser - lol!

Truly a CRNA is not an easy profession. There are no easy professions if you are a nurse. While the physical labor part may not be like a staff nurse - who do you think helps to move the unconscious patients from the OR table to the bed/cot/gurney? Also - physical labor is much easier than mental labor. When the buck stops with you and you are responsible for people's lives, it is very nerve-wracking.

Yes, CRNA's earn six figures. However, in my book they earn every penny.

[dfk, RN, CRNA]

passgasser,

HILARIOUS ~

you are spot on ...

some of these posts are so far out there, i wonder if they even have any clue as to what CRNA (SRNA for that matter) is and does..

i've clearly found who i want taking care of my out of body experience should it arise... yea right !

[natrgrrl]

Whatnext--remember that there is a difference between the job and the profession. If it's not the required part of your job that you dislike, then maybe it's coworkers, lack of respect, policies, office politics or some other factor that will change if you change to a different department or different employer.

But...if you don't like nursing, then don't continue your nursing education. That seems like it would be a waste of time and money.

Maybe you should be pursuing MD, not CRNA.

[whatnext]

Thanks for your replies. I didn't mean to start any quarrels. I guess I pretty much knew the answer to my question before I posted--I've been doing

research these last few years about CRNAs. I know the jobs are very different. I'm not looking for an easy job, nor am I just looking for a big salary (I won't lie though, that is an attractive perk). I am willing to work hard and dedicate myself to learning. I just wanted to know if anyone else felt this way before becoming a CRNA.

I've been talking to some of the other nurses on the unit and they feel the same way about our unit and think certain changes would be helpful. We are the only unit in the hospital that draws our own blood for labs (lab draws it for everyone else), which can take up a lot of time when all 4 pts need labs throughout the night and in the morning, esp when they are hard sticks. We hardly ever have a tech either, which would help give us a little more time instead of giving baths (not that I mind doing them or don't think they're an important part of care) and getting snacks, etc. I'm trying to make the most of my time there and take home something new each shift. I've had some really crazy shifts lately, but I guess that's life. I much prefer the nursing side of health care as opposed to MDs, I feel like we're more holistic, spend more time with the pt, etc.

[deepz]

.......I much prefer the nursing side of health care as opposed to MDs, I feel like we're more holistic, spend more time with the pt, etc.

And how!!

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

deepz

[dfk, RN, CRNA]

We are the only unit in the hospital that draws our own blood for labs (lab draws it for everyone else), which can take up a lot of time when all 4 pts need labs throughout the night and in the morning, esp when they are hard sticks...

just a small note to this... the SICU i came from did the same thing.. we were the only unit to not get lab to draw bloods.. their rationale was either many of our pts had arterial lines or "it's always been like that"... well, we put up a stink and told management that we deserved phlebotomy too... it did take a little time, but we won.. so, perhaps it can be justified on your end to let management know this... little things like this can really add up thru out the night

[jene2000]

ur right!am a third year nursing student in italy and am looking for a crna school allready!

[cozmo_blozmo]

I am a senior SRNA graduating in May 07 and can tell you the physical work of being a CRNA is a whole heck of a lot less than as a RN. I get my lunch everyday, plus at least 3-4 breaks per shift. No pain in the rear families to deal with and the pain in the rear patients are going to sleep. Anyone who thinks the physical demands of being a CRNa are harder than an RN need some organizational skills in their life.

Cozmo_blozmo, I'd like to see you defend this statement. Are you a CRNA?

[jewelcutt]

Must be nice to get lunch and 3-4 breaks per shift. As a student I used to get lunch, and hopefully a morning break if my case wasn't just starting or ending. I also remember plenty of 12-16 hours days that were supposed to be 8. I find the work comparable to when I was an RN. The busy times and quick turnovers in the OR are comparable to the admits in the ICU physically to me.

[ann945n, RN]

CRNA is 1000 times better than nursing. Better hours, better pay, real autonomy and none of the complaining families or patients like on the floor. Work 1/10th as hard and be a million times happier with the job.

*sigh* sounds like my dream job.... cant wait to get there someday

[CRNAGAL]

Cosmo is exaggerating a bit. Being a CRNA is hard work. There can be long hours, not every facility has shift work. When its busy and we are short I may not get a break, or take my break on the fly between cases. The job can be very high stress. Yes positioning patients, starting lines, hanging blood, checking sugars, act's, is a flurry of activity and very physical. Even sitting in an 8 hour case is exhausting. And now, instead of annoying family members, you get surgeons who can be a$$^*&*@ and you are stuck with them in the OR until the case is finished! CRNA's don't earn their money by sitting on a stool doing absolutely nothing.