Job dynamic...

[luluwags]

Hello,

I am wondering if some CRNAs can comment on the work environment dynamic. I love my ICU job and have been accepted to a CRNA program in Michigan. I worry that I will miss the teamwork and chatting with my coworkers. I just picture an OR as such a more intense environment, where joking and talking is limited. As the CRNA, are you just expected to sit there and not interact with the surgeons, scrub techs, nurses, etc? Obviously the patient condition and severity/acuity are a factor, just wondering what some currently experienced CRNAs had to share on this topic. Do you ever get to see the other CRNAs and anesthesiologists? I feel like they are all in their separate ORs and when someone covers you for break or lunch, you then take break on your own. I am social and am worried that I will lose that part of my job that I love.

Thank You.

[Jokerhill]

You are who you are and many anesthesiologist do what they do because that is who they are (many are loners). I always talk to them and have a good relationship with most of them. You need to be serious about the job and the patient, but we laugh and talk about other things during the procedures (of course all of my procedures are lady partsl bypasses).

[keno138]

I'm not a CRNA. In fact, I'm still in the clinical stages of receiving my BSN, but I have shadowed CRNAs and done clinicals in the OR. Everyone always seemed like a big family and at times it was quite sociable. The CRNA had control of the IPOD.

[VCUBen]

Though I am by no means a CRNA I have spent some time observing in a number of ortho ERs where things such as limb amputations and major limb fixations took place, I observed a strong dynamic between all the members of the surgical team. From what i saw the scrub tech is usually in the room while you are setting up your room they are also setting up their part. during pre-op usually you will be with either your MDA or another CRNA because it usually takes two people you do a spinal. I only assume this from what i saw when following them. The CRNA I saw was a CRNA so she passed her boards but was still not completly automious. The MDA was in and out while she managed the patient during the 1 hour procedure of the amputation. During one case they were both in their at the same time discussing some other cases. Even though the CRNA is legally automonious I assume they have a period of orientation. When it was time for break they do not go alone, I mean as you and I know women like doing everything together, why would it matter if they have the CRNA behind their name or NP or anyother title. I hope my observational experience helps.

[My_brain_hurts]

Not a CRNA yet, but one of the things that drew me to want to pursue that profession was the teamwork I saw in the OR. I felt like it was a HUGE team effort. It's one big controlled mess --person keeping pt alive and comfortable (anesthesia), person performing the surgery (surgeon), and everybody else involved in handing instruments, holding things, passing things, going and getting things, etc. To me it's like the ultimate team effort. Everybody has to work together for the pt.

[foraneman]

While OR environments do vary greatly depending on where you work, the majority are just as 'social' as an ICU. Of course some ICU's are hell on earth and your coworkers a nightmare. The OR is essentially no different.

[Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

True, Foraneman. Good communication with your surgeon is important. All ORs are different, but after you have earned respect from the rest of the team, it can be very rewarding and at times "entertaining."