Experienced CRNA...ask me anything

Specialties CRNA

Updated:   Published

Okay...If you've read my posts you know that I will be retiring soon.

Now is your chance to ask a practicing CRNA anything.

12 years of experience from solo rural independent to medical-direction urban ACT. Former Chief and Clinical Coordinator of SRNAs.

I will not reveal my identity, specific locations, employers, or programs.

Anything else...ask away.

Jseneh0 said:
Hey, so I am a new nursing student just starting my ADN program and my dream is to become a crna. Can you give me some advice on what to do and how to keep my GPA high? Becuase right now my GPA for undergrad is a3.1. Any advice would definetly help me on how to build my GPA or even how to make myself more competitive

A young musician was on his way to a show in New York City and got lost. There was a cab waiting at the curb so he went up to the open passenger window to ask the cabbie directions. "Could you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?" To which the cabbie replied "Practice, practice, practice, kid."

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Hey Jseneh0,

I graduated with my ADN almost 9 years ago. My GPA was similar to yours. I completed my BSN in 2016 with a better GPA and was recently accepted into CRNA school fall of 2018. My advice to you is to keep striving. When you graduate from school work in the ICU and complete your BSN online. Make sure your GPA is high and get your CCRN as well. You'll be fine, just stay focused. This is a marathon not a sprint.

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Jseneh0 - Get a BSN, gain at least 1yr ICU experience, apply. As far as GPA goes - study more and retake classes you did bad in!

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Wolf at the Door said:
How often have you dealt with Amniotic Fluid Embolism? Because it happens so quick once the sac is ruptured, can you describe the rapid onset of symptoms you see? Response time to successful outcome? Treatment for successful outcome? I am thinking this is solely the responsibility of the CRNA or MDA to be on the lookout and respond rapidly during a c-section.

I received a patient with AFE as a ICU RN. I believe the CRNA was on call, but by the time I received the patient, a CRNA and MDA were both at the bedside. My state does not have opt out. It took a major team effort, but we saved mom!

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Specializes in CRNA.

"I graduated with my ADN almost 9 years ago. My GPA was similar to yours. I completed my BSN in 2016 with a better GPA and was recently accepted into CRNA school fall of 2018. My advice to you is to keep striving. When you graduate from school work in the ICU and complete your BSN online. Make sure your GPA is high and get your CCRN as well. You'll be fine, just stay focused. This is a marathon not a sprint."

The end goal is complete a nurse anesthesia program and pass the NCE. The classes in the ADN are more predictive of your performance in a nurse anesthesia program than the online BSN courses.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
crna2021 said:
I received a patient with AFE as a ICU RN. I believe the CRNA was on call, but by the time I received the patient, a CRNA and MDA were both at the bedside. My state does not have opt out. It took a major team effort, but we saved mom!

Team Work is great, but opt out has to do with billing not independence.

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I was recently accepted to a school that is ranked highly on US news report, #5. Seems to be a well known school. Was also accepted to a school ranked in the 20s that would be more affordable. Any advice or suggestions on how to choose?

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NewCRNA01 said:
I was recently accepted to a school that is ranked highly on US news report, #5. Seems to be a well known school. Was also accepted to a school ranked in the 20s that would be more affordable. Any advice or suggestions on how to choose?

I briefly worked with a guy from the "number one ranked" school (out of Virginia at the time, can't remember the name.) One of the most ill prepared CRNA's I've ever met, but his incompetency was only surpassed by his complete unawareness of it until the day he was fired. Take that for what it's worth, but it's true.

You don't name names, but by and large, with few exceptions, it isn't really the training program at the end of the day. It is the individual. Sharp, experienced, situationally aware people that lack hubris, show up early, stay late, exhibit intellectual curiosity will rise to the top regardless of where they are. Unfortunately, "resting on your laurels" isn't just a trite cliché. Great credentials and a prestigious program is no guarantee of an even marginal CRNA.

But just for arguments sake, what 2 programs are we talking about here?

You don't mention the schools by name.

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Those rankings are completely meaningless. Number 5 vs number 20, just doesn't matter. Look at their clinical training, their rotations, etc. The school ranking from US News should NOT factor into your decision.

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If you can do it all over again, would you become a CRNA? What did you like least about the profession? What did you like most about the profession? Are you switching careers?

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CRNA2b3 said:
If you can do it all over again, would you become a CRNA? What did you like least about the profession? What did you like most about the profession? Are you switching careers?

1. Yes

2. The self aggrandizement of some (probably the minority) that fuels the political scene, both anesthesiologists and CRNA's.

3. I'm a millionaire with at least 10 years to go.

4. Not planning to.

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Specializes in CRNA.
offlabel said:
1. Yes

2. The self aggrandizement of some (probably the minority) that fuels the political scene, both anesthesiologists and CRNA's.

3. I'm a millionaire with at least 10 years to go.

4. Not planning to.

How long did it take for you to pay off your student loans?

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