CRNA's Emotions

Liddle Noodnik · Sep 23, 2007

I suppose that this is an attempt to dig a little deeper. We all hear about how great of a job a CRNA is, and how the hours are great, the pay is good, the people love doing anesthesia. I want to attempt to go deeper. What are the emotions of a CRNA. How involved do you get with your patients? What do you feel like if a patient doesn't make it out of the OR. What has been your most emotionally involved case to date. What type of emotions do you feel? You guys get the picture, thanks for anyone who responds, I understand that this may be a little too deep, and somewhat to personal.
-Con

Hi Con, I haven't worked as a CRNA - I think I would feel such a burden of responsibility, having their life literally in my hands. And I have worked ICU before.

I would guess the emotions would be similar to any other nurse - I would assume that like an OR nurse or circulator there is less "getting to know you" contact, and thus perhaps less personal attachment to the PERSON? Just a guess.

Regardless - what if you could job shadow a CRNA?

Good luck!

angel crna · Sep 24, 2007

Being in the operating room is like no other place, it is a world all to itself. Only the emotionally secure should even consider a career as a nurse anesthetist. I have cried, gotten angry, laughed, and every other emotion you can imagine. That is all not that much different than any other profession, it is just very intense.

You seem like you are looking at all aspects of this profession, so might I suggest that you look at one of the negatives that I have identified. You are alone and you can't leave your patient, unless another anesthetist takes over the case. So if you have to go to the restroom, eat lunch, take an insulin shot, pick up a sick child, take the kids to soccer, need to see a doctor because you are sure you have acute appendicitis, are in active labor....forget it. You have to stay.

Still it is the best profession there is.

Liddle Noodnik · Sep 24, 2007

So if you have to go to the restroom, eat lunch, take an insulin shot, pick up a sick child, take the kids to soccer, need to see a doctor because you are sure you have acute appendicitis, are in active labor....forget it. You have to stay.
Still it is the best profession there is.

I would laugh if I thought you were kidding.

I know that surgeons aren't always the best lot to work for either. I have had any number of surgical instruments thrown at me

grenada · Sep 25, 2007

I would laugh if I thought you were kidding.
I know that surgeons aren't always the best lot to work for either. I have had any number of surgical instruments thrown at me

Surgical instruments thrown at you?!! Am I being naive, or does anyone else find this disrespectful?

Did you take any action against the surgeon(s), zoeboboey?

Liddle Noodnik · Sep 25, 2007

Surgical instruments thrown at you?!! Am I being naive, or does anyone else find this disrespectful?
Did you take any action against the surgeon(s), zoeboboey?

Well, maybe "at" is a stronger word than I intended but yes, I have had Dr's curse and throw instruments if their "help" wasn't fast enough or if they were just having a bad day. This was back in the early 80's and for the most part us nurses would just roll our eyes and try to avoid the fallout (so to speak). One time the verbal barrage did get bad enough that I un-scrubbed and left the room.