Personality traits of CRNAs?

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Specializes in Pediatric CICU.

Hello, I am VERY interested in becoming a CRNA. I have 6+ years CVICU experience, GRE 297, BSN w/3.75GPA, committees, research, etc. Studying for CCRN currently.

Now, I realize that when I speak to my fellow peer RNs about my interest in becoming CRNA, the feedback I get is:

"Oh, you don't want to work with those nasty Surgeons, the OR is brutal"

"I knew a friend that needed to take antianxiety meds to get through clinicals"

"You're too sensitive for that. What about MSN in Education?"

"You won't like it because you are a people person"

So, apart from these comments being wholly unsupportive, it does pique my interest into what personality traits make a successful CRNA? Must I be a Gladiator with no mercy like my peers describe? I've shadowed a CRNA that did sedation for MRIs and I felt our personalities were similar. And, shadowing just made me love anesthesia even more.

I am a Type A as far as being an overachiever, I have that ICU OCD, but I am paradoxically a laid back and soft-spoken introvert and only competitive with myself. I work well as part of a team but I've never had to lead a code, that's the MD. I feel comfortable in the ICU environment with an acute patient, but that doesn't mean I don't get nervous when I am getting the sick OR after a 12 hr surgery that's bleeding out.

I do tend to get overly attached to my patients and have gotten better about this over the years, but I think this just speaks to how compassionate and empathetic I am.

Obviously academic/professional credentials make a CRNA, but I am curious about this other aspect to it. Thank you for your input, I hope it will help me in my decision.

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From the anesthetists I know and the students I've talked with, including my own incoming class, being an overachiever seems commonplace. We always joke that someone is trying to be an overachiever in class, and it changes who that is day to day. Is it a beneficial trait? I dunno, but it sure seems like a trait everyone in this field has. You need to be prepared for class, for clinical, for the S to the F when you're out on your own, and I think being an overachiever in that aspect might be a good thing.

You absolutely have to be laid back. Getting through clinical is one thing, but you've gotta tough it out through two years of school. Hopefully your colleagues were joking about the anxiety meds, but that shouldn't be something you ever need to do. You need to have an outlet in school; family, video games, running/biking/lifting, something that is not related to school and can be your little escape when it's getting overwhelming. My school spent a great deal of the interview about this; making sure I had some way to decompress, and that I'm not giving up my family and friends entirely for school. There's a fine balance that you must find to make it less stressful. I can't say I know many students that flipped their lid and quit school, because most of those types are weeded out through the interview process. Just be yourself, and if you're really chill like you say you are, they'll pick up on that.

Instructors will pimp you out, your teachers might make you feel like you've not opened a book, but they're only trying to make sure you're competent and pushing you to your limits. There's a few bad apples as far as instructors go I'm sure, we all know the types, but you need to recognize them and not let it get to your head. Same goes for surgeons; I know plenty of surgeons that rain hellfire and brimstone when they walk on to the unit, but I can count many more who want to teach you something, or show you something cool.

Some food for thought!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Some personality traits that I have noticed in CRNAs:

--Obsessive compulsive

--Patient oriented

--Don't suffer fools very well

--Must be mechanically oriented (trouble shooting)

--Ability to multitask

--Firm and in control when it comes to patient safety issues.

I would challenge anyone who says we don't do patient care. There is nothing better than the one-on-one care you give to patients.

Yes, the OR can be a stressful place to work, but so are other places. In my mind, there is no better place to work and the best profession, ever. How many other nursing specialties can say this?

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Hey Icurnmia! Just listen to yourself, and what makes you happy. Don't let anyone dictate your curiosity. From your post, it seems like you would be awesome at whatever you strive for! Woo Woo!

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There is no steotypical presonalitry triats to CRNAs. There has been such a proliferation of programs nationwide that, the end result is, if you apply to enough programs you WILL get in. It is not competitive to get into a program at all. You can listen to all the 'Wanna Bes" ypou ;ilr.. but the sad truth is.. regradless of GPA . experience. etc.. you WILL get admitted.

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You can also apply to med school in the Caribbean. Doesn't mean the degree is getting you a pediatric neurosurgeon gig at Mayo.

From what I know about my area, where you go is a lot more important than the degree when it comes to finding a job upon graduation.

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I agree that if you are persistent, you will get in. Your qualifications are dandy. I disagree that GPA, experience etc does not matter, and the poster who said that is either misinformed or just plain off his rocker. School is stressful in that it is a lot of very tough info piled into a short time, but it is awesome in that you will be learning things you thought you knew at a level you didn't know existed. The clinical portion will stress you maximally, as there is no way to navigate those waters without running into CRNAs who seem to live to make your life miserable. That said, you can do it, and it is worth it. I'm an overachiever too, but I'm all about enjoying every moment of every day...yes, even the terrifying moments that we all experience at this level of care-giving. Be great at what you do, and you can be yourself no matter what that may be. You will run into surgeons that will make you want to dart them in the jugular with your propofol syringe, but once you are out of school, you can determine where you want to work. Since leaving school, I have loved working with every surgeon that I've worked with. Lots of folks don't like some of them, but I can find the good in almost anyone. Basically, when you get out, the relationships you have with the OR staff you work with will be exactly what you craft them into. You may not get along with everyone, but in what job does that exist? Go for it, and just know that while school will be utter hell at times, when you are done, you will be working in the most fulfilling job that I can think of. Good luck.

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1. Desire to learn & maximize potential

2. Adaptive & quick to learn & apply (mechanically inclined, tactile learner etc.)

3. Humble & willing to accept criticism (Thick skin)

4. Organized, type A, OCD

5. Ability to prioritize

Currently in school. The ones who didn't make it out of first semester were missing one or more of those characteristics.

GPA, GRE, work experience... those may help, but personality traits probably play the biggest role. Some of the people in my class who are doing well had lowish GPA, GRE, or limited work experience, but are doing great, and they have all of the above personality traits.

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Specializes in Surgical, CVICU & Oncology, Med/Surg.

Just curious, since this post was from 2013, how is everyone here doing today? Did you get into or complete CRNA school? What would you add or subtract? I’m looking into pursuing the CRNA path. I’m honestly trying to get all the info I can prior to doing so...any helpful hints are appreciated ?

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There just isn't a "type" for anesthesia. The bell curve of life is very wide, and other than most of us being driven professionals, you will find every personality under the sun. You have done well in the ICU and that is not easy. Honestly, I see no problem for you in anesthesia school.

Good Luck.

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Specializes in Surgical, CVICU & Oncology, Med/Surg.
On 5/21/2013 at 2:16 AM, icuRNmia said:

Hello, I am VERY interested in becoming a CRNA. I have 6+ years CVICU experience, GRE 297, BSN w/3.75GPA, committees, research, etc. Studying for CCRN currently.

Now, I realize that when I speak to my fellow peer RNs about my interest in becoming CRNA, the feedback I get is:

"Oh, you don't want to work with those nasty Surgeons, the OR is brutal"

"I knew a friend that needed to take antianxiety meds to get through clinicals"

"You're too sensitive for that. What about MSN in Education?"

"You won't like it because you are a people person"

So, apart from these comments being wholly unsupportive, it does pique my interest into what personality traits make a successful CRNA? Must I be a Gladiator with no mercy like my peers describe? I've shadowed a CRNA that did sedation for MRIs and I felt our personalities were similar. And, shadowing just made me love anesthesia even more.

I am a Type A as far as being an overachiever, I have that ICU OCD, but I am paradoxically a laid back and soft-spoken introvert and only competitive with myself. I work well as part of a team but I've never had to lead a code, that's the MD. I feel comfortable in the ICU environment with an acute patient, but that doesn't mean I don't get nervous when I am getting the sick OR after a 12 hr surgery that's bleeding out.

I do tend to get overly attached to my patients and have gotten better about this over the years, but I think this just speaks to how compassionate and empathetic I am.

Obviously academic/professional credentials make a CRNA, but I am curious about this other aspect to it. Thank you for your input, I hope it will help me in my decision.

Just with this alone I’m certain you got in to whichever CRNA school you picked. Out of curiosity, Did you complete CRNA school? If so, how was the schooling itself? & do you enjoy or love being a CRNA now? Are there things you wished you knew about CRNA school or about being a CRNA?

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