CRNA - patient/family interaction, future & respect

ICUDOUCME? · Jun 13, 2008

nv,

I am not a CRNA yet but am in school in my last six months of clinical. I do feel respected (family and friends) for doing something so difficult and rewarding. but more importantly, I respect myself so much more for having accomplished something so difficult and rewarding.

I interact with patients and their families all day long! That is what is so cool about this career. You walk into a patient's room and sometimes they are scared to death. The family is scared too. It's very rewarding to reassure them, build a rapport and trust in just a few minutes time. When you take the patient back to the OR, you are talking to them, building trust.

Once in the OR, you are getting them transfered to the OR table and talking to them, putting on the monitors, and answering questions. Some patients don't want to remember the OR so you help them by giving them some pre-op sedation. The whole job is about helping the patient through the experience of surgery, both mentally and physically. Tell me if there is a scarier experience than surgery...there isn't for most people. But you , as a CRNA, are safely taking them through it. I can't think of a more rewarding experience and I get to do it every day.

As far as respect in the OR, there will always be those individuals that disrespect anyone without an MD on the name badge. But for the most part, I feel respected even as a student. Also, respect comes from being good at what you do, not complaining, not treating people badly. I think you attract respect by respecting yourself and others.

Hope this helps.