CRNAs: Are you ever nervous about what you do?

[Annabelle57]

i hope my question doesn't sound too ignorant - i'm just about to enter nursing school, and i'm exploring the possibility of becoming a crna one day. my question is: do you ever feel nervous or "over-pressured" to do your job correctly? even now, i can see how very essential and inherently dangerous a lot of your procedures are... and after reading about a few bad cases (like the 78-year old mda who didn't secure a tube and caused brain damage to a patient), does it ever worry you? or does your schooling prepare you backwards and forwards for pretty much every possible situation?

again, i'm hoping these questions do not sound too ignorant. my general impression from reading posts on these threads is that crna's are well-trained and well-prepared for most any situation, and the likelihood of freezing up or screwing up during a critical moment is slim. just wanted to hear some feedback on this - thanks!

[Kiwi, BSN, RN]

This is an intersting thread. You don't sound ignorant at all. I have wondered this myself. Isn't it amazing that a pt can be put to "sleep" and feel no pain during invasive procedures?

[dfk, RN, CRNA]

perhaps you might want to post this thread in the regular crna forum.. you may get better responses since this is a pre/srna forum.. as ether's comment previous to mine, just remember, because the patient is asleep, doesn't mean there's no pain.. or even asleep.. paralyzed with no sedation/pain med can be VERY crucial to mental/physical recovery..

"i'm wide awake and i can't move an eyelash to let them know"

just remember, if the patient is making tears under those eyelids, chances are there's something not quite right!!!

[Someday-C.R.N.A.]

My first thought when I saw this thread was "Excellent question".

I'd love to read some input from our CRNAs and SRNAs!!

[Annabelle57]

Gotcha - thanks all! I'll repost to the CRNA forum.

:-)