New Grad CRNA orientation.

[traumasrna]

I am curious to hear what some of your experiences have been immediately following licensure when taking your first job as a CRNA. For example, as a new grad going directly into an ICU at Stanford, we are paired with an experienced nurse and trained to function as competant ICU nurses over a three month period. In general, do many hospitals have new grad training programs for new CRNA's? Because we will begin a job after completing a clinical residency are we then assumed to be able to immediately function independantly? Any feedback would be great, I am just curious as to how this all plays out after graduating. Thank you.

[mwbeah]

I am curious to hear what some of your experiences have been immediately following licensure when taking your first job as a CRNA. For example, as a new grad going directly into an ICU at Stanford, we are paired with an experienced nurse and trained to function as competant ICU nurses over a three month period. In general, do many hospitals have new grad training programs for new CRNA's? Because we will begin a job after completing a clinical residency are we then assumed to be able to immediately function independantly? Any feedback would be great, I am just curious as to how this all plays out after graduating. Thank you.

My first job was deployment to Iraq. I graduated in December 2002 and immediately proceeded to Iraq (I must say it was a terrific trauma rotation). Needless to say I was expected to function independently immediately and it aged me as a practitioner more than I could imagine.

Mike

[traumasrna]

My first job was deployment to Iraq. I graduated in December 2002 and immediately proceeded to Iraq (I must say it was a terrific trauma rotation). Needless to say I was expected to function independently immediately and it aged me as a practitioner more than I could imagine.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I actually considered enlisting, but my wife was against it and I ended up having to have back surgery, so it wasn't meant to be I guess. I am however grateful that you served for our country. Kudos to ya.

Ramon

[skipaway]

I was expected to function independently; however, I felt my experience in major vascular (which in my new job we'd be doing alot of) was minimal. Therefore, my boss, whom I honestly informed her of my reservations during my job interview, gave me an intensive 3 weeks with another CRNA doing major vascular. That helped alot and from then on, I felt very comfortable. All the other types of cases we did I did not feel I needed this type of orientation.I worked for 3mo before I took boards in Dec and did not take night call. After I passed boards, I was worked into the call rotation (thank God, b/c I can't stand doing straight dayshift :) )

[traumasrna]

I hear ya on the straight day thing.I currently work nights in a very busy ICU and look forward to working call and night as a CRNA. Who knows, a lot can change between now and then. I like the shift differential we receive along with the emergencies and trauma we get in the middle of the night. Thanks for sharing.

RaMON