A list of SRNA Life lessons

[Athlein]

I posted this on another thread, but thought it would be fun to get others to contribute to the list. Any SRNAs/CRNAs with words of wisdom to share?

Here are a few humbling lessons I have learned since I started as an SRNA last year. I have since learned that many of them are applicable to SRNAs from one coast to the other.

This is meant to be somewhat humorous, but there is a ray of truth in every statement.

1. Life is not about fair. Life as an SRNA is REALLY not fair.

2. If you are a whiner/complainer/vocal dissident, tell it all to your dog/spouse/mother - but not your program or anyone/anything remotely connected with it.

3. Rocking the boat will get you very wet. And your boat may sink.

4. Put up and shut up.

5. Mind your manners.

6. Pride goeth before a fall - usually in front of the chief CRNA, MDA, and surgeon. Sometimes patients get to watch this entertaining sport, too.

7. If you are not exhausted, you aren't working hard enough. There isn't enough caffeine on the planet to keep end-of-second-year SRNAs from being tired.

8. It's easy to be a big fish in a small pond. When you are a new SRNA, you are a phytoplankton in the Atlantic ocean.

9. Overachiever? Cannot-fail mentality? Superiority complex? Just wait until clinicals.

10. Learn to bite your tongue and smile while nodding your head in acknowlegement at the same time. This is VERY useful after exams and in clinical.

And the most important one:

11. You are the only one who can choose your attitude - negative or positive. HINT: choosing the latter will serve you well during your time as a student in anesthesia school.

[Athlein]

I should have added one more...

Anesthesia is a team sport. Don't play well with others? Better learn!

[g8rlimey]

I have one more:

You thought you understood cardiac physiology, then you got the smack down from the Ventricular Action Potential!

[charles-thor]

...not to mention the hurt you receive from Ca++ induced Ca++ release, and two of my all time favorites: the ever fascinating ryaniodine receptor and NE-induced phosphorylation of phospholamban.

You think you know, but you have no idea.

[Diprivan/Vented]

How did you guys manage to muddle through all that for tests?

Mmmmmmm

[zrmorgan]

diprivan...what the hell is that?

[Athlein]

Weetabix.

All the fibre you need for the week in one convenient breakfast biscuit!

If you're not British, it's hard to understand the attraction.

Pretty tasty, though. Seriously.

[Athlein]

After my exams this week, I feel compelled to add another lesson:

When instructors tell you that exams are going to be "straightforward", what they mean is that the material is straightforward for THEM. You, meanwhile, will look at the questions and realize that you haven't the slightest idea what you are doing or how to answer!