Communication as a CRNA

[laurenjdickson]

Hello! My name is Lauren, a Pre-Nursing student at Louisiana State University. I've always dreamed of becoming a CRNA. Right now I am taking a English Composition class at LSU involving topics related to nursing students and the nursing field. Our assignment is to research communication in the nursing profession and more importantly the communication skills in our chosen specialty of nursing.

For the research paper, we are required to "interview" a nurse to gain insight on the topic and have first-hand research from an actual nurse. This interview is allowed to be conducted over email or phone so please don't think I am trying to take an easy way out.

I actually would love to interview a CNRA in person. The problem is I personally do not know any CRNA's to interview and would really much rather have a CRNA answer the questions for the paper instead of an RN, simply for better information to relate to the paper.

If any CRNA could please spare some time to try and answer my questions I would appreciate it more than anything. I will post the questions here; you can answer them here or reply to them in an email. My email address is: [email protected]

I just ask that if you do reply to please write your name, title, and business (optional).

I really hope to hear form some of you and would be ecstatic to have some CRNA knowledge to further excite me about my future profession!

Take you all so much for your time,

Lauren

Here are the questions:

1. There are four main areas of communication: oral (speaking and listening), written (writing and reading), visual, and nonverbal. What would you consider to be the most important area of communication for a nurse anesthetist to have efficient skills in? Can you give any specific examples as to why this area of communication is the most important?
   

1. What area of communication do you feel is the least used as a nurse?
   

1. Nurses communicate with various people throughout the day. Between doctors, patients, the patient's family members, and even other nurses, what relationship do you as a nurse feel is the most vital to constantly communicate with?
   

1. What would you say is the hardest obstacle of communicating with your patients? (i.e. insufficient time, language barriers, etc.) How do you overcome those obstacles?
   

1. What do you feel is the area of communication that nursing students are the least dynamic in? Do you have any suggestions about how these areas can be improved?
   

1. Are there any certain classes in the nursing school curriculum that you feel strongly aid in providing the student with the ability to gather communication skills he or she might need for the profession?
   

1. It is said that 93% of communication is nonverbal communication, such as reading body language and conveying facial expressions. Do you think being able to communicate nonverbally is of utmost importance to a CRNA? Could you think of any specific examples as a nurse to when communicating nonverbally is critical?
   

1. Nursing can be very stressful, and communicating with someone who has trouble communicating back must be frustrating. How do you try and eliminate some of the stress that may result from this? What methods are the best for communicating with these people in a professional, caring manner?
   

1. What is the best way to communicate bad or unpleasant news to a patient or the patient's family members?
   

1. Do you have any specific memories or examples that come to your mind as a nurse where communication played a key role in helping to save a life?
   

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

You get pretty much the same advice as the undergrads: We get these requests a lot, so if there are any other students out there who might get this kind of assignment, listen up:Part of your faculty's reason for giving you this assignment is to get you to go out there and speak to an RN face to face. A big email blast is not a substitute for shoe leather. AN is not Google.

See, in nursing, you have to learn to speak to a lot of people you would not otherwise encounter; you might find yourself out of your comfort zone. This is part of nursing, a huge part. An anonymous respondent online, well, you don't really know who we are, do you? We could be the truck driving guy living next door for all you know.

That said: Where will you find a CRNA? Think outside the (computer) box.

Local hospital: go to the staff development/inservice education office and ask one of them. They value education and will be happy to chat or to hook you up with someone who is.

Go to the local hospitals and speak to the anesthesia department secretary.

Call the nearest CRNA training program and ask to speak to one of the faculty.

Notice these say, "Go to..." and not "Email..." Remember that part about meeting new people face to face and comfort zone.

Go!

[laurenjdickson]

I know it may seem like that is part of the assignment but it is not.

It is allowed to email or phone interview a nurse for this assignment. Speaking in person to a nurse will get you bonus points, but is not required.

I'm not trying to cheat our of the assignment, or stay in my "comfort zone." It is just not essential to speak to a nurse in person. Personally, I do not have a car and the only way I get around my college is the campus bus system and finds lending rides. My teacher understands that and understands that college students like me may not have the resources or time with other classes to actually speak to a nurse.

That is why email and phone interviews ARE allowed.

I would love to go and speak to a nurse in person but the closest hospital is 30 minutes away and I do not have a car.

Just wanted to clear that up.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

I understand.

And if I said, "I'm really a truck driver but I am sure I could answer her questions. I think I'll respond to her, tee-hee," then that would be perfectly OK?

Sometimes "extra credit" is, well, recognition for a better job.

How are you planning to get to clinicals for a nursing program?

[RunBabyRN]

Even if you can't get TO a hospital, find a nurse you know or one that someone you know knows. This site is a public forum, and you have no way of verifying anyone's licensure and credentials. Don't take shortcuts; it's bad practice that will not serve you well as you move forward in your education.

I would also HIGHLY recommend taking your e-mail address and real name off of this site, as it is, again, a public forum, and you never know who may be on here or what their intentions are. Protect yourself.

[StudentOfHealing]

Then how about calling your local hospital and asking HR if you can somehow speak with anesthesia department. Then see if a CRNA is willing to email/call you. At least this way you KNOW it's a legitimate CRNA.

GrnTea,

I think you've used to truck driver example before ... I'm starting to think you just may be a truck driver with a passion to be an RN. Hehe just kidding. C: