CRNA frustrations

Trauma Columnist · Jun 29, 2011

So sorry you are so frustrated. Regardless of what job you have, once its intolerable its time to move on.

Let me move this to the CRNA forum.

love-d-OR · Jun 29, 2011

I saw your other post, where you mentioned the politics of being a CRNA. Politics and bad managers are in every profession, I actually don't see this as a CRNA problem, but rather a job problem. You have a bully for a boss! Don't quit being a CRNA, just quit that job.

ckh23, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2011

As the PP mentioned, this sounds like an issue with your job/boss. Perhaps it is time to move on. I understand that the job market is saturated, but it doesn't have to stop you from looking and applying to different places. If it is that bad, how about getting a travel assignment or maybe a per diem job until you find something more permanent? You shouldn't let the behavior of this boss ruin your accomplishment of becoming an CRNA. You had to work hard for that title so try to get out of the toxic environment. Good luck.

allnurses Guide · Jun 29, 2011

It sounds like your problem is the ACT model. I think you already know your choices either stick it out or move, and if you want to leave the majority of the politics behind leave the ACT practice(s).

By the way if you aren't deeply in debt, and don't have kids then be as rude to the MDAs as they are to you. Some of these jerks won't stop until you bite back a few times.

BeeFlowe · Jun 29, 2011

Thanks guys. I have already considered changing jobs a loooong time ago. My husband has worked for this guy too, and didn't put up with it. They got into a pretty hot argument and my husband quit. This guy actually monoplized most areas in the state. So there are not much job opportunities. I've looked for jobs everywhere. Trust me, I've been through all of that. I work independently. And the jobs that are out there in my state are heavily supervised by MDAs. The good jobs are already taken. If you are a CRNA, you would know that being 100% supervised is a joke. We just bought a house, so I calculated at least a year to get back to living

comfortable. So that was the plan to quit after a year. But, last week after that outburst with my boss, I can't take it anymore. So I am planning to do some locums and maybe traveling...

All I'm saying is that becoming a CRNA you are trained to think for your own...just like a doctor. But unfortunately you aren't treated that way. Mostly it's at rural areas where you are treated better because MDAs aren't around. So you end up working autonomously. MDAs usually stay in areas where everyone wants to live, not at the rural areas. So in short, they live in the gorgeous areas. They will keep the CRNAs out because they feel threatened. They also know we do a better job (because we were nurses before, so we know good patient communication and care) and, most importantly, are very cost-effective. At my current job, I wouldn't request any of the MDAs to do my anesthesia. In fact, I had my husband do my anesthesia last time. If you see how they do anesthesia.... you would be scared too. The CRNAs I work with are strong.

canyonforest, MSN, RN, NP · Jul 1, 2011

I think regardless of the situation you will have to stay strong. It sounds like you did A LOT of work to become a CRNA and the problem here is the boss who does not understand your true value. Some people are like that. I would plan an exit away from the boss. Obviously he is really threatened by the CRNA's, as evidenced by the way he is acting. Some people in medicine and nursing are like this. These are people who have to be bypassed. Just remember no one is better than you at what you do......

foraneman · Jul 2, 2011

Sorry, but I really don't get what you expect to receive in advice here. Your problem, and forgive me for being blunt, at this point is YOU. You "considered changing jobs a loooong time ago"...but you didn't. Your husband worked for the same PITA boss...no mystery or surprise he is still a PITA. Once you decided to stay and take it, the rest is on you....you have accepted the unacceptable. Now, YOU are responsible frankly...that is your part in it.

Tens of thousands of CRNAs are quite satisfied with their jobs and there is NO reason you cannot be one of them...and no you do not have to move to the boonies...that's nonsense. But, if nothing changes, nothing changes. You are not in some sporifice opportunity profession. You are a highly trained advanced health care provider. Stop viewing yourself otherwise, get off your tukas, and get the hell out of there.

BeeFlowe · Jul 2, 2011

Sorry, but I really don't get what you expect to receive in advice here. Your problem, and forgive me for being blunt, at this point is YOU. You "considered changing jobs a loooong time ago"...but you didn't. Your husband worked for the same PITA boss...no mystery or surprise he is still a PITA. Once you decided to stay and take it, the rest is on you....you have accepted the unacceptable. Now, YOU are responsible frankly...that is your part in it.
Tens of thousands of CRNAs are quite satisfied with their jobs and there is NO reason you cannot be one of them...and no you do not have to move to the boonies...that's nonsense. But, if nothing changes, nothing changes. You are not in some sporifice opportunity profession. You are a highly trained advanced health care provider. Stop viewing yourself otherwise, get off your tukas, and get the hell out of there.

I appreciate your honesty and bluntness.

I don't have ANY problem with being a CRNA. I enjoy being a CRNA and practicing as one. In fact, aside from my boss, I get along with everyone at my job. Once again, I said it was due to the POLITICS at my job.

And I guess I should REPEAT myself: THE STATE I live in has very limited CRNA jobs. Everyone knows everyone in the CRNA world in my state. I refuse to say which state to keep my privacy.

I stayed to work at the job...once again...because there isn't many full time jobs out there. There are jobs, but locums or part time. I needed the full time job for the pay. My husband has been bouncing around jobs after he left. I stayed at this job for the stability in income for the both of us.

So, again, I appreciate your reply, but please read my entry again....that it's not due to being a CRNA, it's because I don't enjoy the POLITICS.

The reason why I mentioned going back to being a staff nurse was because it would be way much easier to find a job in any city here. I could take my pick. And yes, my current CRNA job is already in the boonies. Anyway thanks for trying to answer.

sweetnepenthe · Jul 3, 2011

You will have politics in any position. In EVERY position.

Foraneman is correct, though, in that only you can change the dynamics of the situation. you cannot change your boss. Your only option is to change YOU: either your attitude or the the way you respond when your boss acts the way he does. You need to set limits or you need to find another position. Make your own position by freelancing/moonlighting.

It won't be easy. As long as you believe you are helpless, you are helpless.

foraneman · Jul 3, 2011

Ok, let's look at your specific issues:

But I just can't stand the politics. I bend over backwards for my boss. But no matter what, he continues to verbally abuse me and expects me to stand by my phone every minute of the day waiting for his call. As if I don't have a life. I can't even plan to have children, it's terrible. My husband (who is also a CRNA) tells me to quit. But there just isn't many jobs for CRNA in the state I live in. So saturated with CRNAs here..

Let's take them one by one.

Politics: As has been stated, the situation you describe, while it may feel like you have to be an international diplomat to deal with your boss, is better renamed to supervisor/employer abuse.

I did not see where you stated whether the boss is an MDA or CRNA....and maybe you do not want to with your small state anesthesia community...I understand. I am guessing this boss has the power to hire and fire, and may even be the boss of the entity that signs your paycheck. I make these assumptions since you have admitted bending over backwards, accepting verbal abuse, accepting his expectations of being by the phone, and the sacrifice of not having children (at least for now), as somehow necessary to keep your job....and also that this job and remaining in state are worth more than the above problems being stopped by a change of locale/job/state.

From what you say however, it appears that not all CRNAs are subject to the same abuse...but since we do not know how many of you there are (not many since you did say the boonies), we can only go by the fact that your husband did not accept such treatment. The question then becomes...why are you? I assume you do not have a contract which limits or delineates how much call you will have?

Depending on the nature of the verbal abuse and/or whether the boss demands more of your availability for call than other CRNAs, you have the obvious options of demanding his verbal abuse stop and informing him that you cannot accept a disproportionate share of call (both in a certified letter with examples). Also you should stop bending over backwards to please him...since you never will. Since this is anonymous here, I am going out on a limb...and not a big one...in observing that you may have a personality trait, or life history, which makes these steps difficult for you or has instilled an unfulfilled need to please a prominent male figure (father perhaps). I am not trying to be a junior psychoanalyst, it just begs explanation as to why you have put up with this behavior....or perhaps even, you HAVE exhausted attempts at stopping it.

I mention documentation via certified mail as this is a record that you made certain reasonable requests that a hostile work environment be changed to a reasonable one, and if you should be fired for doing so, legal action can be taken for retaliatory termination for complaining of a hostile work environment. And that's not a petty $$$ lawsuit hard to win necessarily. No matter what, if the situation is such that you have considered getting an RN job you seem to have little to lose. In any event you would be wise to keep a written journal of the abuse, with quotes, and all on call situations.

What you DO HAVE, though I do not think you believe this, are many alternatives which allow you to remain a CRNA and deal with the issue. Aside from those i just mentioned....YES you CAN leae the state with your husband and get jobs elsewhere, have the stability of two full time incomes and even start a family. And it does not matter how much or what condition any family may be in your state...it CAN be done and your immediate family (to be) deserves a break.