Is there time to care for the patient?

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Specializes in PICU, Gen ICU.

First - please forgive me if this is a naive question. Yes, I do plan to shadow in this area (and others).

As a CRNA, when you finish a case - do you ever feel the same satisfaction of caring as you (possibly) did when you were in (ICU/other) bedside nursing?

Do you feel you have adequate time to learn enough about the patient to make an impact on their needs and care?

Or do you feel that due to OR schedules/billing issues that you are limited to providing a service and moving on to the next case?

I LOVE to learn (and finally getting my chance later in life)! I find myself driven to pursue an advanced practice degree (if it's meant to be). I have completed 1/2 of my BSN. I work in PACU as a SNT. I love helping patients. But I also see how busy the CRNAs are and can't help but wonder about the source of their job satisfaction.

Sometimes I'm afraid I'll wake up and find out that no matter what degree you pursue - there's never enough time to "care" for the patient and it's "only a job." :o

Please share your experiences with me!

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For me, there are few things in nursing that have been more fufilling than providing a good anesthetic. It is the epitome of caring.

(On the other hand, it really sucks when they wake up crying and puking.....)

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It's a far, far better thing I do . . .

Imagine this . . .

I have one patient at a time. Except in emergency situations of course, I have an opportunity to view their chart, assimilate the data, assess them, talk to them, sometimes even their loved ones, and establish an individualized plan for them. I develop a rapport and gain the trust of the patient enough so that I am able to put them to sleep without them coming off the table in fear (drugs help with this too), and I take care of only that patient during the entire course of their surgery, wake them up at the end so that they are comfortable and not nauseous, escort them to PACU and transfer care. When they stay in the hospital I can make post-op rounds and check on them after they've put some time between the surgery and they usually remember me, and thank me.

Of course there is paperwork but that is a moot point. When I worked in ICU I had up to 5 patients at a time because of poor staffing, covering breaks, etc. It's logistically not possible for me to be in more than 1 OR at any time, and I promise there won't be more than 1 patient in there either!! :)

Z

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Specializes in PICU, Gen ICU.
For me, there are few things in nursing that have been more fufilling than providing a good anesthetic. It is the epitome of caring.

(On the other hand, it really sucks when they wake up crying and puking.....)

So true! It pains ME to see someone in agony. Working in PACU, I've seen all kinds of responses as you can imagine. Sleep works wonders too, especially with the children.

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Specializes in PICU, Gen ICU.
I develop a rapport and gain the trust of the patient enough so that I am able to put them to sleep without them coming off the table in fear (drugs help with this too), and I take care of only that patient during the entire course of their surgery, wake them up at the end so that they are comfortable and not nauseous, escort them to PACU and transfer care. When they stay in the hospital I can make post-op rounds and check on them after they've put some time between the surgery and they usually remember me, and thank me.

I can relate to this. When I had my PPT after I delivered my last child, the CRNA recognized my anxiety when they wheeled me in the OR - I was totally overwhelmed and started crying - couldn't even speak - they thought that I was having second thoughts. She gave me some more Versed and I was out - no more fear. I remember being in PACU with all the monitors on and sitting straight up on the stretcher and hugging her neck.

It's comforting to know that there are opportunities to follow-up with some of the patients afterwards. I have some patients that I will never forget.

Thank you for your input and best wishes in all you do!

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Specializes in ICU, UT knoxville, CRNA Program, 01/07.

Such wonderful and thought felt responses.

Brian

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