Generalist or Specialist CRNAs

[GmanRN]

Just wondering if you guys usually specialize in some area of anesthesia or are most of you generalists in what you do?

Im wondering if CRNAs typically move around the hospital often or stay put in one certain area. For instance would the same CRNA typically do an OR case then head down to specials to do a radiology case and then after that jog down to L&D to do an epidural?

[dfk, RN, CRNA]

at my current facility, CRNAs can do EP lab one day, GI lab the next, then onto VIR after that, then the OR. those in OB will come down to the OR occasionally. of course, the interdepartmental transferring won't usually happen in the same day, but they have the ability to interchange. most of the time, the scenario will be finish up in EP/GI lab, then end the day in the OR.

[kacey]

In my experience, depending on the type and size of the facility, it may be common for a CRNA to work outside of the OR (i.e. radiology, endoscopy, Labor & Delivery). Often times, the "out of department" assignments are rotated among the staff, unless there are those that prefer to do those cases. Generally speaking, the CRNA is not pulled into several different departments all in the same day. Sometimes it can happen but it is not preferable. In some places, there are CRNAs that are only assigned Labor & Delivery (meaning they perform all the labor epidurals and c-sections). However, when things get extra busy a CRNA assigned to the OR may come to L&D to help out. In places where there are CV OR's, there is usually a core group of CRNAs that perform those cases. However, these CRNAs will come and do 'general' cases as well when things are slow in the CV OR. Some of the other CRNA specialties and/or preferences include neuro, pediatrics, ortho, vascular, ENT. Hope this helps.