Experienced CRNA...ask me anything

Oklahoma 1 · Nov 21, 2018

I read a current article where the put a digital scrolling machine on top of a cabinet that could only be seen from top of ceiling and they scrolled random words across it, and the patients that said they floated out of their bodies during surgery the researchers asked them to recall what they saw and not one of them mentioned any of the words on the monitor or that they even saw it.

06crna · Nov 28, 2018

Carterjcr -

Apologies, but I am not the right resource for your question re: DNP/DNAP. I obtained an MSN in early 2000, well before the transition to doctoral preparation for allied health providers. I had no interest in obtaining a doctoral degree in nursing or education.

yxing · Apr 23, 2019

Hello,

I am trying to figure out how often does it CRNA license needs to be renewed and if there are bedside hours requirement for renewal. I am seriously thinking about pursuing CRNA school, but I also have a strong urge of going back to China and spent some time with my parents there. China doesn’t really have the equivalent of CRNA, and I won’t have the degree to practice as an anesthesiologist. So there is a possibility of me leaving practicing for a few years, but I obviously don’t want my license to be expired. Does anyone have any insights? I appreciate your time.

Yuan

BigPappaCRNA · Apr 24, 2019

To be clear, your "License" is your state nursing license. Your "credential" is what you get from the NBCRNA. When anesthesia is given by a CRNA, it is considered nursing. So your license will be whatever your state BRN says that you must maintain.

Your credential is good for 4 years. By the time you become a CRNA, there will be CEU requirements, as well as "modules" to do in 4 categories to maintain your credential. There are practice hour requirements that can be waved if one is in academics, or management. If you become a new CRNA and then leave to go to China for a couple of years after 1-2 years of work, it will be VERY difficult for you to be hired into a new job when you return.

yxing · Apr 24, 2019

Hello BigpappaCRNA,

Thank you for replying me and explaining it to me. It’s a difficult decision to make because my personal interest is pursuing CRNA, however, because there is no equivalent jobs in China and like you said, it will be very difficult to get hired again once I am back to the US, I am also considering PhD program and hope to get a job at a university over there.

I am a new graduate nurse to ICU, so there will be some time for me to think it through before I actually start applying. I hate to give up my career choice, but at the same time, there is nothing more precious than spending a few years with families when my parents are still relatively young and healthy. They do accept and prefer foreign trained M.D in China, so I am also thinking about med school as well.

Thank you so very much again. I really appreciate your info and insight.

Yuan

nurse2018- · May 11, 2019

I am currently in a program that is losing students left and right. Started with 21 and down to 17 just 2 semesters in. I’m considering switching programs because I myself almost didn’t make it. We have some exams that the entire class average is well below passing.

It’s a tough spot because I know I would have to start over elsewhere. But if I fail out, would another program accept me with the school having such a high attrition rate? A few of those that didn’t make it are also looking in to other programs. Any advice would be helpful.

BigPappaCRNA · May 11, 2019

On 5/11/2019 at 2:08 PM, nurse2018- said:
I am currently in a program that is losing students left and right. Started with 21 and down to 17 just 2 semesters in. I’m considering switching programs because I myself almost didn’t make it. We have some exams that the entire class average is well below passing.
It’s a tough spot because I know I would have to start over elsewhere. But if I fail out, would another program accept me with the school having such a high attrition rate? A few of those that didn’t make it are also looking in to other programs. Any advice would be helpful.

Losing 4 out of 21 in 2 semesters is not all that bad. I would not call it a horrible attrition rate. And when looked at objectively, I am guessing at least some of those 4 would likely not make it in any program. You are still around, so you must be doing something alright.

If, IF, you are in a front loaded program, you could be close to having the hard part over. If you are integrated, and you really think you will not make it, make bow out on your own terms, and do so before you have put in 60 hour work weeks for a full year. If you leave for any reason, either you withdrawing or being removed from the program, it will make it a much, much steeper hill to climb a second time. Not impossible, but it sure won't be easy. Transferring or switching programs, is not all that easy to do, as there are a lot of moving parts.

Good Luck.

nurse2018- · May 11, 2019

What are your experiences with students going into another program after failing a class in their program? Of course, they have to start again. This particular program, in another cohort, also lost a couple in their senior year. I’m worried about being almost finished and not making it because the student debt is enormous.

So my question is really how many successful CRNA’s have you met that made it after the second try?

BigPappaCRNA · May 12, 2019

On 5/11/2019 at 12:15 PM, nurse2018- said:
What are your experiences with students going into another program after failing a class in their program? Of course, they have to start again. This particular program, in another cohort, also lost a couple in their senior year. I’m worried about being almost finished and not making it because the student debt is enormous.
So my question is really how many successful CRNA’s have you met that made it after the second try?

I have only known one to even GET a second try. Sorry.

HELENABURG · May 19, 2019

*LOTS OF QUESTIONS*

I am going to be in college in the fall. I am 18 and am seriously thinking about getting my BSN and choosing nursing as my career. The only problem is, I have Degenerative Disc Disease. My family thinks that I should not do nursing and become a CRNA, because of this. But, becoming a CRNA has been a dream of mine, ever since I was 10 years old. I used to get books from the library about anesthesia and nursing. I would even do research as well. I am unsure what to do now. I do have DDD and it does give me back pain at times as well as sometimes irritating my sciatic nerve. So far, thank God, I am not in any severe pain and its not always constant.

Thinking ahead, if I do complete a BSN, I'm kind of worried of my back, because I know you have to practice a year of nursing in ICU or trauma and then do the CRNA program. Is this a must requirement or can you go straight into a CRNA program? I know you have to have at least a year of nursing experience, but does the one year experience have to be in ICU or trauma? Can it be in another field, like pediatrics or NICU?

What do you think? Could someone with Degenerative Disc Disease be able to handle CRNA school as well as being a CRNA? Is it really taxing on the body? How is the 1 year nursing experience before the CRNA program? Is it stressful?

SalinaA · Jun 13, 2019

@06crna Thank you for this invaluable information! Your perspective is respected and greatly appreciated.

In your opinion, what are the most important questions to ask when interviewing for a position in a program?

SalinaA · Jun 18, 2019

On 5/19/2019 at 2:15 PM, HELENABURG said:
Thinking ahead, if I do complete a BSN, I'm kind of worried of my back, because I know you have to practice a year of nursing in ICU or trauma and then do the CRNA program. Is this a must requirement or can you go straight into a CRNA program? I know you have to have at least a year of nursing experience, but does the one year experience have to be in ICU or trauma? Can it be in another field, like pediatrics or NICU?
What do you think? Could someone with Degenerative Disc Disease be able to handle CRNA school as well as being a CRNA? Is it really taxing on the body? How is the 1 year nursing experience before the CRNA program? Is it stressful?

Hi @HELENABURG,

Not only is over a year of experience as an ICU RN a “must requirement,” it is essential experience to become a competent CRNA. Don’t get stuck on the requirements to get into a CRNA program. If you really want to become a CRNA then you will really want to first practice as an ICU RN and learn as much as you can. Depending on your experience, ICU nursing carries over into the daily practice of a CRNA. That’s why you want good experience, the kind that applies. All of that experience counts... meaning it takes 4 years of a BSN, 2-4+ years ICU nursing, then 2-3 yeas in a program to become a CRNA. That’s at least 8 years of preparation to provide safe anesthesia care. That’s what it takes to become a safe anesthesia provider. That’s what you want when you or your loved one are undergoing surgery and relying on an anesthesia provider to protect your life.

Some schools accept PICU/NICU. Some do not. That said 90% of the patients you will be taking care of are adults. So back to my previous point of wanting applicable experience... PICU/NICU is not the best. You’ll be better prepared for school and practice as a CRNA with adult ICU experience.

Adult ICU nursing is physically taxing. As a MICU RN you will be turning your intubated/sedated/paralyzed patients every 2 hours. In any ICU patients require repositioning. A lot of the time they are overweight. In any ICU you will have to code patients on a regular basis. Also very physically taxing. CRNAs transfer patients all day, pushing heavy beds, etc. So yes, it is a physical job.

Lastly, all of this is stressful. These jobs are for those who work well under pressure. I would refer back to the posts on this thread to get a good idea of the mental endurance it takes to be a CRNA.

Hope this helps.