Ask a CRNA any question you want

RescueNinjaKy · Oct 22, 2015

How difficult was your schooling? Were you able to work while doing it? What did you enjoy the most and what did you not like the most while you were in school for it, clinicals and otherwise. Any comments on how you feel about your current autonomy or lack of?

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · Oct 22, 2015

How difficult was your schooling? Were you able to work while doing it? What did you enjoy the most and what did you not like the most while you were in school for it, clinicals and otherwise. Any comments on how you feel about your current autonomy or lack of?

School is definitely time consuming. My program didn't have us in the OR the first semester so I could have technically had time to work but didn't. It is very different from RN school and does require a lot of self teaching.

Thing I liked the most about school was not thinking like a RN and actually being the one calling the shots (other than having to listen to my CRNA or MD I worked with at the time) and the thing I hated the most about school was basically the same lol. Having to listen to people still tell me what to do and be a student all over again.

My current practice I work in is a decent one. It is an ACT model which means we work with MDAs but for the most part we do what we want. I put my own central lines, float my own swans, alines, intubation extubation, spinals, etc. The only thing I can't do at my current gig is peripheral nerve blocks. I do wish we could do it all but I'm not willing to move and willing to compromise.

Dranger · Oct 22, 2015

Not directly pertaining to CRNA, but do you work with many ACNPs?

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · Oct 22, 2015

Not directly pertaining to CRNA, but do you work with many ACNPs?

Other than the rest of the CRNAs in the group the only time I actually see any NPs are when they are first assistants in the OR helping the surgeon. All they do are close the incision at the skin and assist holding retractors and things during the case. Not worth the amount of school to do just that in my opinion.

cocoa_puff · Oct 22, 2015

1) What type of nursing student were you (especially regarding GPA and clinical performance)? Did you know you wanted to be a CRNA while in nursing school?

2) What types of personalities/traits are best suited for being a CRNA?

3) Did you start out in the ICU, and how much experience did you have prior to CRNA school?

4) Where did you go to CRNA school?

5) Do you feel it was financially worth it for you to become a CRNA? Did you get tuition reimbursement?

Thanks!

nmsumurse · Oct 22, 2015

How do you recommend practicing spinals. I've heard of poking a watermelon to simulate it. During your schooling did you use landmarks for central lines or all ultrasound? Did you learn emergent airway techniques in school i.e retrograde intubation, has an airway disaster reared its ugly head in your practice?

cocoa_puff · Oct 22, 2015

Also, what is your work schedule?

How many hours/week do you work?

Are weekends/holidays required?

How much do you make per year?

ahs2015 · Oct 22, 2015

Following

excited1 · Oct 22, 2015

Thank you for creating this thread! My goal is to be a CRNA and most of my questions have already been asked, so I am following this thread.

guest769224 · Oct 22, 2015

Why is it that the CRNA profession is shielded from over saturation and NP's are not?

Dranger · Oct 22, 2015

Why is it that the CRNA profession is shielded from over saturation and NP's are not?

I actually there are some over-saturation issues in areas.

IMO the reasons are:

1.ICU experience

2 A lot require CCRN

3.GRE

4.Pre-reqs

5.Specific scope of practice

6.Lack of common online or distance (go at your own pace) format

7.Difficulty and expertise factor is greater, the RNs I at least knew you went for CRNA were all sharp. Some NP students I know can barely hold their own as an RN.

I can literally start an app to an NP school with rolling admissions today and get accepted within weeks. For CRNA? Not so much.