Physical Requirements of CRNA

blazeboy97 · Mar 11, 2005

It really depends on the extent of your injury, what aggravates it, and if you are able to "guard" it carefully during your practice. I injured my back when I was 17 and 18 years old. I did not have trouble with it again until after I had started working as an ICU nurse. I was a nurse for 16 years before going to CRNA school and now recently out. So far my back has done well. There are still aches and pains as with any job, especially if I have to stand for an extended period. For me, being a CRNA is less stressful on the back than as an ICU nurse. Less pulling on patients, patients pulling on you, and bending over for long periods in awkward positions helping them. My activities outside of the job cause me more discomfort than the job itself. For those times when it is out-of-kilter a support brace can be a godsend. Go for what you want, you will learn in time what how to protect it the best.

Carissa · Mar 12, 2005

I too would appreciate any advice those of you ICU nurses and CRNA's with back injuries have. I will be starting nursing school this fall with the goal of becoming a CRNA, and herniated discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1 several months ago. Unfortunately, mine are not healing as hoped and I have only one option left (po steroids and injections) before my neurologist recommends surgery. I'm a hospital CNA, (currently on light duty) and everyone at work is telling me to find another career because my back will not be able to take the day to day stress of nursing. I'm not ready to give up, and am hoping those of you who have been through it can lend some insight as to whether it's a reasonable goal; and also what you found/find most helpful when to make activity bearable. Thank you for bringing this up fotograph, and thanks in advance for your thoughts everyone! :)

fotografe · Mar 13, 2005

bump

Businessman · Mar 13, 2005

Folks,

I commend you for wanting this career while having back problems.

But I suggest you shadow CRNA's at various hospital to have a good idea of what the norm is.

From my experience, some hospitals do not allow chairs in the OR's, others do. Some places have overtime, others don't.

Also, the mentality/culture of the surgeons matters.

And then there's the ICU requirement - that's hardly a sitting job.

Bottom line, it's doable, but having back problems will restrict your options considerably.

bluesky, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2005

I haven't applied to CRNA school yet (still doing my 2 ys in SICU). Most of the RNs that get back injuries on my unit end up transfering elsewhere eventually. Mostly you have to roll and boost pts in their beds.... there's often a lot of help but I just can't say that I would do it if I had a serious injurry.

fotografe · Mar 14, 2005

Thanks. I actually have an easier time moving around or standing than sitting. It is the lifting and moving of patients that concerns me. Part of my PT is gradually increasing the amount of weight I lift (properly!) but both my doctor and PT said I shouldn't be transferring patients. My original intention was to work in PICU before deciding to move on to CRNA school, but I know the patients in PICU are not necessarily small. I am already considering other avenues, but am sad to have to give up this goal. I may end up going to PA school instead. Thanks for the info.

Folks,
I commend you for wanting this career while having back problems.
But I suggest you shadow CRNA's at various hospital to have a good idea of what the norm is.
From my experience, some hospitals do not allow chairs in the OR's, others do. Some places have overtime, others don't.
Also, the mentality/culture of the surgeons matters.
And then there's the ICU requirement - that's hardly a sitting job.
Bottom line, it's doable, but having back problems will restrict your options considerably.

loisane · Mar 14, 2005

My original intention was to work in PICU before deciding to move on to CRNA school, but I know the patients in PICU are not necessarily small.

What about NICU? I know from this board that some programs do not consider it good preparation. OTOH, I know of some programs who value it as experience. NICU nurses do well on boards. Some speculate they have strong experience with meticulous attention to detail, that is a good skill for the transition to anesthesia.

Not to take away from the other comments, obviously a multi-faceted decision for you to make. Just another idea for the mix.

loisane crna

nanna4 · Mar 14, 2005

Good morning all...I am new to this site and enjoy reading the posts very much. I work in a large NICU/Special Care Nursery and we have several nurses working there with back, hip, or knee problems who can no longer do adult nursing.

fotografe · Mar 14, 2005

I have considered NICU. It is helpful to know that other nurses with injuries have made the transition there. I have talked with a local hospital about working as a unit clerk in the NICU this summer to get a good idea of what goes on there. I also want to be prepared to work in an area that I may stay in since CRNA school may not be in my future either. This is why I am considering PA school as Primary Care or Hospitalist are also areas that interest me. In any event, I am doing all my doc and PT tell me to do and am making a lot of progress, so hopefully I will have fewer limitations than expected. Thank you for your responses.

What about NICU? I know from this board that some programs do not consider it good preparation. OTOH, I know of some programs who value it as experience. NICU nurses do well on boards. Some speculate they have strong experience with meticulous attention to detail, that is a good skill for the transition to anesthesia.
Not to take away from the other comments, obviously a multi-faceted decision for you to make. Just another idea for the mix.
loisane crna

JimmyMallo · Mar 23, 2005

I hurt my back recently at work and I heard the same line of crap! "Oh, you better find another carreer, you'll never make it as a nurse with a bad back." That is just a bunch of crap!! I did my PT and use proper technique and haven't had another problem. BTW these same people who told me my journey was over are alway's complaining about their backs aching or their feet aching. If you refuse to do things that put you in jeopardy you will be fine. I recently shadowed a couple of CRNA's at a local hospital and they arrived in the OR, set up their supplies, had the OR techs position the patient, started induction, intubated the patients, and then sat down in a nice chair and read magazines while keeping an eye on the monitors. The most any of these guys lifted was the patients melon whe they positioned the laryngascope for intubation. It all depends on where you work. One of the MDA's on staff was a 4'10 90 pound asian women who needed help positioning the head! If you are carefull and can get through the ICU you can be a CRNA. You'll be fine as long as you don't herniate your brain :rotfl:

CRNAgirl · Mar 24, 2005

I would like to know the day to day physical requirements of a CRNA. I ask, because I am just beginning nursing school with the future goal of becoming a CRNA, and recently injured my back (bulging discs at L2-L3 and L3-L4). I am in physical therapy and making substantial recovery, but will always have to be on guard in preventing another injury. Will I be able to work in an ICU with this type of injury? Will I be able to work as a CRNA? The other suggestion made to me was to consider becoming a PA. What do you experienced ICU nurses and CRNAs think?

Anesthesia is not as physically demanding as most ICU's. However, moving pts back and forth to the stretcher and flipping pts prone is physically tough, but we try to get lots of help. You may try neonatal ICU. That was very intense, but not physically demanding.