physical demands-CRNA

Nitecap · May 31, 2006

Hello.
I was wondering if anyone could tell me what they think the similarities or differences are in the physical demands of the jobs between ICU and CRNA. I am in the MICU right now, thinking of applying to CRNA school, and have already hurt myself (ergonomics, etc.) several times. Just curious, any info would be appreciated. Thanks!

Probrably alot more standing in one place for longer periods. In the unit you can walk around, sit at nursing stations, go take a piss when you need. In the OR you will be standing and sometimes siting on a stool in one place for hours at times. As a SRNA we the only time we can sit is if we are doing a mask case or something. We only sit if it will really help us manage the pt not the rest our feet. Attending sit a little more.

As far as physical work Id say its less. Of course you may work long hours and take more call. The work is way more mental. As a male in the ICU I constantly assisted the females with turning and getting large butt pts out of bed. It puts a strain on you. In the OR I still help with positioning and moving the pt to and from the table but Im not turning 2-4 pts 6x per shift n am I dangling 10 pts a day.

Tranman · Jun 2, 2006

Physical demands are less in generel. As SRNAs, and GRNAs, you'll typically stand more b/c you're interested in learning about the case, slower at doing stuff, haven't fully learned how to avoid problems so you spend more time fixing things, maybe you don't have your routines down, etc. After a while and when you get older, you'll typically sit way more. It's not often that you are assisting in positioning patients. You'll more often be checking the position of a patient to see if it's appropriate, things are well padded, appendages in normal positions, no impinging nerves.

In 6 yrs in the OR, I have hurt my rt shoulder once lifting a big head and assisting with the transer from the table to the bed. Just a weird angle. It was painful for 1wk and went away. Was truely concerned at the time, but glad it heel up. Other than that no other job related injuries. "knock on wood"

piper77 · Jun 3, 2006

You know, I think the physical demands on the CRNA are less than those of unit nursing, but I find myself pretty tired at the end of the day. I think there is something about being "hyper-vigilant" that tires you even though you may not be doing as much running or lifting. Of course, a busy OR with quick turn-arounds can leave you with little time to sit or stand still. Perhaps those with more experience find that this goes away after a while, but I know for now I feel VERY busy during the day, and pretty tired (though a "good" tired!) when I get home.