I'm curious about the relationship between CRNAs and the surgeons they work with, especially given the bad blood between some CRNAs and some docs. As a new grad I worked general surgery. I didn't think I had a bad relationship with the docs, but I didn't think it was that great either. They could be really rude on occasion. I remember one resident deliberately walking away without answering my question - and this was on Christmas Day!
When I came to MICU I was blown away. We talk to the residents and fellows, we are familiar with each other's personal lives, they respect our input. When I make an inappropriate suggestion they don't make me feel dumb, they explain why they wouldn't choose that option. I've taught the new interns a few things and they are appreciative.There are a few attendings who still think they are God, but even they aren't anything like surgical attendings. I rotated in the SICU as part of my training and did not see this kind of relationship.
I know some of this difference is between the floor and the ICU. MDs respect ICU nurses much more than floor nurses. But I think the bigger difference is medicine and surgery and I'm a little apprehensive about dealing with surgeons again. Do they respect CRNAs? Do they think they are just nurses who got too big for their britches? Do they treat them substantially differently from MDAs? Do they really swear at people and throw things in the OR?
Quote from apaisRN "The interns rotate monthly, too, so if you can't stand one you know he/she'll be banished to the nursing home, I mean, general medicine floor pretty soon."
Are you saying that you equate the general medicine floor with a nursing home?
Quote from apaisRN "The interns rotate monthly, too, so if you can't stand one you know he/she'll be banished to the nursing home, I mean, general medicine floor pretty soon."
Are you saying that you equate the general medicine floor with a nursing home?
I'd have a hard time working there, because the patients that I send there from MICU are longtime chronics, often very large, often with mental health issues that make them difficult to interact with. Also, they seem to get stuck with patients who have long since been ready for LTC, but no one's been able to find a placement. Especially since only in the past few years have we had a longterm vent facility in this state.
I admire those nurses immensely. It looks really tedious from where I stand and sometimes I think they must be angels to do it.
...I find myself getting burned out. I am very much looking forward to moving on to a more challenging and more personally rewarding career (not that I haven't gained a tremendous amount here). Now that I have been accepted, I find myself worrying that when I do finish school, I may get to this same point as a CRNA.
You have not a thing to worry about. I think many, many CRNAs were motivated in exactly this way-myself included. We tend to be people who enjoy constant challenge. When the challenge wears off we get a little-well there is no other word for it- bored.
The incredible, wonderful thing about anesthesia is that the challenge NEVER wears off. Each anesthetic is unique, there are multiple ways to meet every challenge. And just when you might be getting to the point of mastering all of them, a new technique or drug comes along that challenges you yet again.
I think it is this very quality that contributes much to the difficulty students have with learning anesthesia. But it is the same quality that makes it so wonderful once you get out of school. You may graduate, but the learning never stops.
If this sounds like your cup of tea, then you will LOVE anesthesia!
Also, I am starting CRNA school in January at USC Columbia. I currently work in the MICU and am having some trouble getting through these last few months of work before starting school. Even though I have only been an RN for 2 years (all of which has been in this unit), I find myself getting burned out. I am very much looking forward to moving on to a more challenging and more personally rewarding career (not that I haven't gained a tremendous amount here). Now that I have been accepted, I find myself worrying that when I do finish school, I may get to this same point as a CRNA. I have had CRNA school as a goal for @5 years. Am I just letting end-timers get to me? Thanks for the advice
Are-in
I worry about this too, and hope anesthesia will keep me engaged. The MICU can be a little boring already, and it's only been a bit over a year. Seems like we have too many failure-to-weans and not enough interesting, complex patients. I look at the 20-year nurses and wonder how they could keep doing this. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and my coworkers, but I need some more challenges.
I worry about this too, and hope anesthesia will keep me engaged. The MICU can be a little boring already, and it's only been a bit over a year. Seems like we have too many failure-to-weans and not enough interesting, complex patients. I look at the 20-year nurses and wonder how they could keep doing this. Don't get me wrong, I love my job and my coworkers, but I need some more challenges.
Wow, were you reading my mind when you wrote this???
medsurgnurse, RN
401 Posts
Quote from apaisRN "The interns rotate monthly, too, so if you can't stand one you know he/she'll be banished to the nursing home, I mean, general medicine floor pretty soon."
Are you saying that you equate the general medicine floor with a nursing home?