What does an anesthetic nurse do?

Specialties Operating Room

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Specializes in ICU.

Call me dense, if you must, but what does an anesthetic nurse do? I have been offered a job as a PACU nurse, but will also have to work as an anesthetics RN.

What do they do? Help with intubation/intubation meds? Do they sit in OR with the anesthetist during the op?? Can anyone give me a run down of their general day/work load?

I am trying for a baby, and I have asked about working in PACU when pregnant, but not about any dangers as an Anesthetics Nurse.

All and any information will be very much appreciated. I am looking forward to a career change from ICU!

Polly

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Ours restocks the MDA's carts, restocks the anesthesia machines, makes sure the MDA has their blades, tubes, LMAs, keeps the drug room and Pyxis stocked, assists with difficult intubations, awake intubations, pediatric intubations, starts pediatric IVs, assists in Swans, art lines. She will also go to the pre-op area and be the "second" person to try to start a difficult IV.

One danger i can think of right now is if you had to go into a room where they are doing X-rays or using bone cement. X-rays, for the obvious reason, and bone cement fumes, because it is not proven that the chemicals do not have an effect on an unborn child.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Well, ours, and we have only one, basically starts their IV's in the holding area. Sometimes she will assist with art lines in the OR.... and unlike marie's, the stocking duties are the responsibility of our "anesthesia assistants".

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Specializes in Only the O.R. and proud of it!.

Maybe they mean that they want to train you for conscious sedation. Some local cases (without general, regional, or MAC anestheisia) like the patients to get some versed and narcotic pain meds. This require monitoring of vital signs and titrating meds as necessary. You only need to be an RN for this, not necessarily a CRNA or MD.

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
Call me dense, if you must, but what does an anesthetic nurse do? I have been offered a job as a PACU nurse, but will also have to work as an anesthetics RN.

What do they do? Help with intubation/intubation meds? Do they sit in OR with the anesthetist during the op?? Can anyone give me a run down of their general day/work load?

I am trying for a baby, and I have asked about working in PACU when pregnant, but not about any dangers as an Anesthetics Nurse.

All and any information will be very much appreciated. I am looking forward to a career change from ICU!

Polly

What do you mean by "anesthetic nurse?' Do you mean nurse-anesthetist?

If that's what you mean, then go to AANA.com where you can check it all out. Otherwise, I've never heard of an "anesthetic nurse."

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