90% Boredom, 10% Sheer Terror?

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Hi all,

I am in the process of deciding if a NNP or a CRNA Masters degree is right for me. I am interested in dealing with a diverse population, as I work in a level III NICU right now dealing with preemies. I talked with a CRNA while I was in school for my BSN, and she said that being a CRNA was 90% boredom and 10% sheer terror. Honestly though, am I going to be bored as a CRNA? I am one of those adrenaline junkies you hear about. When a baby's coding, I'm there....I can't stand it when I'm sitting on my thumbs doing nothing. So what's the average shift like for a CRNA? Also, any personal info on Columbia University's CRNA program would be appreciated...

Thanks!

Stevern21

[skipaway]

Steve,

My job as a CRNA is to make sure my patient does not need "saving."

Does that make my job boring? Absolutely not! CRNAs never "sit on thumbs, doing nothing." We are constantly assessing and treating our patients. We make sure that a patient's most vulnerable moment turns out successful. The 90% boredom-10% sheer terror comment to me, is utter nonsense. I'm never, ever bored, even during my many "bread and butter cases. Of course, there are areas of anesthesia which may give the "adrenelin junky" their highs (trauma, Military anesthesia(Iraq and Afganistan anyone?) but if you constantly want the highs-maybe anesthesia isn't for you.

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Yeah, I see where you're coming from. I just really have no idea..:trout: ..I need to find a CRNA to shadow for a few days so I can get a real feel for it. Maybe that crna was one of "those people" who end up not liking it. Personally, I feel like I'm up for the classwork and intensely structured programs, but I really want to make sure it's what I want to do, both from a career satsifaction and financial standpoint. As long as I'm busy, I'm happy....I didn't mean to sound like a super type A personality (just slightly;>P) She just made it sound like she spent her shift twisting dials and pushing meds....a wrong first impression I guess.....Thanks for you input!

I was wondering, though, as a CRNA, is it possible to be assigned to say, neonatal cases at a children's hospital? or do primarily say, peds cardiac cases?

Thanks!

Steve

Steve,

My job as a CRNA is to make sure my patient does not need "saving."

Does that make my job boring? Absolutely not! CRNAs never "sit on thumbs, doing nothing." We are constantly assessing and treating our patients. We make sure that a patient's most vulnerable moment turns out successful. The 90% boredom-10% sheer terror comment to me, is utter nonsense. I'm never, ever bored, even during my many "bread and butter cases. Of course, there are areas of anesthesia which may give the "adrenelin junky" their highs (trauma, Military anesthesia(Iraq and Afganistan anyone?) but if you constantly want the highs-maybe anesthesia isn't for you.

[PTU2SLP]

The 90% boredom, 10% sheer terror saying is one that is said to explain the appearance that our job is easy to people who don't see that we are really like ducks (calm and graceful above the water and paddling like mad under the water.) I loved the action jobs as an RN and love anesthesia twice as much.

Also, at our hospital I do alot of the NICU babies but we rotate just like on hearts and heads, I assume other children's hospitals do the same. Good luck with your decision.