ever miss it?

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just wondering if you CRNA's ever miss working in the ICU...

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not even a CRNA yet ...but ROFL...

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not even a CRNA yet ...but ROFL...

i know, i know, stupid question... it just came across my mind so i thought id ask :eek:

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Specializes in NICU.

I really don't see what's so funny about this. Do CRNAs hate complete patient care so much that they're happy to be finally relieved of this duty? Is it all about the money? I'm kind of offended by this thread.

I know plenty of nurse practitioners (not CRNAs) who do indeed miss being staff nurses sometimes. They miss the time they got to spend with the patients and their families, and having their hands and minds on only 1-2 patients per shift. Just because you get an advanced degree, does that mean that staff nursing is below you, and that your job is so much greater? Some people get into this field for the personal satisfaction of working with patients, not the money and prestige.

I'm sorry if I'm out of line. I'm just tired of seeing people go to nursing school just to be rich CRNAs. I hope if I'm ever in an ICU, I have nurses that are in it because they want to be, not because they're just fulfilling their pre-CRNA school requirement. :(

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I really don't see what's so funny about this. Do CRNAs hate complete patient care so much that they're happy to be finally relieved of this duty? Is it all about the money? I'm kind of offended by this thread.

I know plenty of nurse practitioners (not CRNAs) who do indeed miss being staff nurses sometimes. They miss the time they got to spend with the patients and their families, and having their hands and minds on only 1-2 patients per shift. Just because you get an advanced degree, does that mean that staff nursing is below you, and that your job is so much greater? Some people get into this field for the personal satisfaction of working with patients, not the money and prestige.

I'm sorry if I'm out of line. I'm just tired of seeing people go to nursing school just to be rich CRNAs. I hope if I'm ever in an ICU, I have nurses that are in it because they want to be, not because they're just fulfilling their pre-CRNA school requirement. :(

VERY well said. Thank you.

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As someone that spent 9 years in the ICU and 2 as a NP...

Yes, I am glad that I will never work there again. If I flunk out of CRNA school, I'll leave the medical profession completely.

It wasn't taking care of patinets (even code browns) that bothered me. It was being placed in demeaning roles by arrogant MDs (that were obviously in it "for the money") and by demanding family members that constantly displayed personal agendas that interfered with quality patient care for their loved ones. As a NP, life was better, but it was a grind working primary care and keeping on schedule...especially when patients brought "the list." Also, Americans have lost the ability to do self-care. They come in with a "headache." You ask "did you try Tylenol or something?" They say "no, did not think of that--but could you write me a sick note for work?"

For those of you that think CRNAs are in it to get rich, maybe you should do more research. Did you know that CRNAs have one of the highest job satisfaction rating of all professions? Are treated as a valued member of the patient care team? (rather than a hand maiden for the docs). Have the only "functional" organization in nursing for their profession (AANA). And so on...

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Specializes in NICU.
It wasn't taking care of patinets (even code browns) that bothered me. It was being placed in demeaning roles by arrogant MDs (that were obviously in it "for the money") and by demanding family members that constantly displayed personal agendas that interfered with quality patient care for their loved ones. As a NP, life was better, but it was a grind working primary care and keeping on schedule...especially when patients brought "the list." Also, Americans have lost the ability to do self-care. They come in with a "headache." You ask "did you try Tylenol or something?" They say "no, did not think of that--but could you write me a sick note for work?"

For those of you that think CRNAs are in it to get rich, maybe you should do more research. Did you know that CRNAs have one of the highest job satisfaction rating of all professions? Are treated as a valued member of the patient care team? (rather than a hand maiden for the docs). Have the only "functional" organization in nursing for their profession (AANA). And so on...

Thank you for explaining things so well.

I still have no interest in CRNA no matter how much money and satisfaction they have. I'm part of another group of nurses that have very high job satisfaction - NICU nurses. :)

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I worked NICU for a little while. Fun work, high stress.

I guess being challenged in your work is the most important determinate here. As an ICU nurse, I had seen about everything. I'd come to work, go on autopilot, cuss at a couple of residents, go home...

I was making $100k as it was. For a 46 YO to get poor, go into debt for 2 1/2 years and come out...well it isn't all about the money!

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to answer the op's question, there are some things i miss,

1. i worked in an icu that had a close knit group of ppl, i miss the ability to "hang out" after most of the patient care was done. you dont quite get that in the OR, surgeons are usually (as should be) focused on the patient and you can spend literally hours with little interaction. your crna buddies are in other rooms doing their thing. some cases are different tho.

2. i dont miss having to work oddball shifts for the extra pay to make ends meet.

3. i dont miss the families that dont understand what "critically ill" means and no matter how you try to explain it, some just dont get it. i guess this can be denial but this is an issue with me more than them

4. i do not miss code browns, i did it, and did a good job of caring for the patients in what can be considered a demeaning position for them, but that does not mean i have to like it. nicu probably has a high satisfaction rate, but i bet it would be lower if you had a propensity of 5 foot 5 400 pound gi bleeders on a vents.

5. the ability to choose what i believe to be the best course of action, implement it, evaluate its response and adjust according to what i believe is best cannot be beat. too many times i was at a lost because the icu resident had no clue how to fix a problem even though we had seen it time and time again and would take no imput from the nurses and the patient suffers accordingly.

6. to specifically respond to gompers, to me, anesthesia is the ultimate in direct patient care, the phrase, "anesthesia takes a patient to the brink of death and we try to keep them alive so a surgeon can try and fix them"surely holds true. i was never a hand holder when i worked at the bedside, but now i do, and regularly because i have taken responsibility, complete responsiblity for that patients welfare while under my care and i do my best to make a sincere connection with that patient and their family that i will do all in my power to see them to the end. people who dont think anesthesia is direct care usually dont understand what it is we do in the minutia. just because i get paid well to do what it, does not mean i care less for the ppl i do it to. and yes i am extemely satisfied with my job.

still have no interest in CRNA no matter how much money and satisfaction they have. I'm part of another group of nurses that have very high job satisfaction - NICU nurses.

i applaud you for your commitment to your patients and your job, i am happy there are people like you out there, if my child was in nicu, i would hope to have a nurse care for them that loved what they did and care for the ppl they do it to.

d

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Specializes in NICU.
i applaud you for your commitment to your patients and your job, i am happy there are people like you out there, if my child was in nicu, i would hope to have a nurse care for them that loved what they did and care for the ppl they do it to.

Rest assured, the majority of NICU nurses are extremely passionate about their work and are fanatical patient advocates.

I do appreciate all the nice people who have ever put me to sleep before surgery. I'll never forget the first time I went under. 16 years old, scared to death. Someone stands over me with a gas mask and I ask, "Is this the part when you tell me to count backwards from a hundred?" and he chuckles, "Oh honey, you won't make it that far!" I said, "99...98..." and woke up three hours later. I've always had good anesthesia experiences. Except for that darn nausea!

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I really don't see what's so funny about this. Do CRNAs hate complete patient care so much that they're happy to be finally relieved of this duty? Is it all about the money? I'm kind of offended by this thread.

Just to clarify, I ask because I do enjoy working bedside and was wondering if any CRNA's feel the same way and if it's something that they miss. I wasn't trying to offend anyone.

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Specializes in NICU.
Just to clarify, I ask because I do enjoy working bedside and was wondering if any CRNA's feel the same way and if it's something that they miss. I wasn't trying to offend anyone.

Thank you. I think I had a bug up my ass last night. :imbar

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