alterego33

alterego33 specializes in Anesthesia.

Latest Activity

1. IVs

   alterego33 replied to putmetosleep's topic in CRNA

   Being IV competent is critical to being a CRNA. Many times we are the most qualified and experienced person in a facility to start IVs and we are called to start others and our own. You will learn and do great, it is like any technique, learn the tr...

2. New to teaching pharmacology

   alterego33 replied to indagenes's topic in Educators

   I have taught graduate level pharmacology to nurse anesthesia students and was appalled at the lack of basic knowledge of the students. Because they knew very little about pharmacokinetics, basic metabolism of medications and even math, I found it n...

3. How rude are surgeons?

   alterego33 replied to Diprivan/Vented's topic in CRNA

   Many are as rude as you let them be. Respect should be mutual and earned. I usually ignore them in tense situations, but don't allow it as an ego thing.

4. Question about MD/CRNA and my son's surgery

   alterego33 replied to labcat01's topic in CRNA

   When someone asks me the difference between a nurse anesthetist and an MD anesthesiologist, my answer is that we (CRNAs) bring our nursing experience into the anesthesia care. We listen to the patients, reassure them, watch them closely, are methodi...

5. The road to becoming an CRNA - Looking for info/advice

   alterego33 replied to IcanHealYou's topic in SRNA

   It sounds like you have a good science background and certainly, the interest to become a CRNA and I would encourage you to consider it. However, you also need to develop some good patient care skills and people skills. If you love taking care of p...

6. CRNA vs. MDA - pros and cons

   alterego33 replied to daitheflu's topic in CRNA

   Cerebral, you and I must be joined at the hip. This thread is ridiculous and should be closed. The OP is offering an opinion that has no factual basis and is totally irrelevant as well as being insulting to the entire CRNA profession. I would be...

7. Independent CRNA's

   alterego33 replied to RNLink's topic in CRNA

   It is really in the answer of how you define independent practice. Many CRNAs are independent business people, have their own practices, do their own billing, and everything else involved in being in a business. Also, many choose to work for someon...

8. RN Having Their Own Clinic - What Types of Specialties

   alterego33 replied to EzraRn's topic in Entrepreneurs

   Check with your board of nursing, unless you are a nurse practitioner. They are really clamping down on non-advance practice nurses practicing outside their scope. Nurse anesthetists are setting up pain clinics and are doing very well, but it is nec...

9. Alternative Airway Knowledge

   alterego33 replied to GilaRRT's topic in Emergency

   Anyone who cuts off the pilot tube of any airway device is a sloppy practitioner, in my opinion. Deflate it with a syringe. Cowboys belong on the range, not taking care of patients. Finesse is an art and is what separates the good from the margina...

10. When things go wrong

    alterego33 replied to 4amcoffee's topic in CRNA

    As an expert in anesthesia, I will offer a few answers. First, it depends on what goes wrong and who has control of the situation. There are times when there is massive hemorrhage at the surgical site. The surgeons try to control it surgically, th...

11. When things go wrong

    alterego33 replied to 4amcoffee's topic in CRNA

    Thanks Cerebral. I totally agree with your post. There is a lot of wonderful information available regarding the clinical practice and profession of nurse anesthesia. I was hoping this forum would allow me the opportunity to learn from other CRNAs...

12. CRNA Drug Addiction

    alterego33 replied to speed's topic in CRNA

    I would highly recommend that you go to http://www.aana.com, and look for the link called AIR (anesthetists in recovery). You will get some valuable information there and maybe meet people who have personal knowledge about the topic.

13. When things go wrong

    alterego33 replied to 4amcoffee's topic in CRNA

    Not every patient gets amnesia from versed. It should not be relied upon as an amnesic. I know, because I have had versed a number of times and remember everything. We even set up a trick question to see if I would remember, prior to my last surge...

14. IVs

    alterego33 replied to putmetosleep's topic in CRNA

    Starting IVs is a technical skill and is one you can learn quickly. There are a few rules for starting IVs for anesthesia that are different than IVs for other situations. 1. Use local to make a skin wheal before inserting the bigger bore angioca...

15. Barking up the wrong tree?

    alterego33 replied to 4amcoffee's topic in SRNA

    Good luck at whatever you decide to do. The future is bright for nursing and finding one's niche is important to being happy and satisfied. I never regret having chosen to be a CRNA, but have a lot of respect for all of those who have gone differen...