need info from a CRNA please

loveanesthesia · Dec 28, 2008

is there almost zero direct patient care (while patient is conscious) and do you spend 95% of your time standing in one spot perfectly still for hours while monitoring a patient during surgery? is there any variation in your work?

I spend some time before the procedure discussing the anesthetic plan, and patient history with the patient and family. It's not a long time, but is very important. Often people are worried about the anesthetic, and the CRNA should project calm competence while obtaining the important information. Another important time is pre-induction in the OR and/or during a sedation or regional anesthetic. Your 'people skills' are important during these times. You most likely will not develop long relationships with patients because it's not often you will see the same person in my practice. If you are in a small town, that can be completely different.

There is a lot of time when I'm 'confined' to an OR during a case. There is no leaving no matter what, unless someone comes in to relieve you. As for standing in one spot, that sounds like a scrub tech, I can almost always stand or sit, and walk around my spot at the head of the table. There's no problem with that, I don't think I could stand the way the scrub tech's have to during cases.

There is a lot of variation in anesthesia, that's the best part for me. Always something new to keep my brain working.

usedbrain · Dec 28, 2008

Dear Loveanesthesia,

Thank you so much for your reply and the info. I am much relieved. I have a couple of more questions if you are not too busy. The first is silly--I frequently have to use the bathroom and am wondering if during long surgeries (more than a couple of hours) if someone comes in to relieve you so that you may take a bathroom break. I know, dumb question, but otherwise I would have to dehydrate myself all day.

The second question regards your saying there is a lot of variation in anesthesia. Could you expand on that? Are you referring to different types of CRNA jobs? different work sites?

Also, did you find in the beginning that the OR was a very tense place and did it make you tense until you got used to it?

Thank you so very, very much,

Sincerely,

Tia

DMSRN · Jan 8, 2009

Yes of course you can use the bathroom! I guess this all depends on where you work of course. If you are at a small community hospital and are the only provider working, then you might just have to hold it. But for the most part, another anesthesia colleague is usually around.

As for the "lack of patient contact" concern, to be frank, it drives me NUTS! No, you can't sit by the bedside with them and have a nice little chat about life, but you are the one directly responsible for them during surgery and their outcome is almost completely based on you. This to me is more rewarding than taking care of an ICU patient, who usually is intubated and sedated, and not really interacting anyways. On top of that, as a nurse, there is only so much you can control. There are countless times when nurses feel like they know what is best for the patient, but are unfortunately not the ones making the final decisions. As a nurse anesthetist, the "patient contact" comes in the form of ensuring them a pain-free and comfortable wake-up, keeping them warm and adequately anesthetized, properly positioned, etc. Once the patient is asleep, the work isn't done. Your job doesn't end until you've handed them over to the PACU.

Having been an ICU nurse and now an anesthetist, I can honestly say that I feel my job now has far more positive patient interactions. On top of that, I absolutely love what I do, and I love knowing that because of me, people can have a positive surgical experience. If you are looking for a patients to stop you on the street or send you holiday cookies, then this probably isn't the profession for you since won't remember you at all, but if you are looking simply for "patient interaction," then look no further.

usedbrain · Jan 9, 2009

DMSRN, thank you SO very much. I really appreciate it. That makes me feel a lot better.

One question, is it really difficult to make serious anesthetic decisions on the spur of the moment for emergency cases or do you think school prepares you so well that you know well enough to make quick decisions? That is probably my last concern about the profession. I tend to like to check and recheck things and don't like making decisions quickly. I'm not saying I couldn't, but I'd like to know your take on it.

Thanks again so very much,

usedbrain

usedbrain · Jan 9, 2009

Dear DMSRN,

Is it possible that you could send me a private message. I am new to the site. I will try to send you one, but if not, if you have the time, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks,

tia