alterego33

Being IV competent is critical to being a CRNA. Many times we are the most qualified and experienced person in a facility to start IVs and we are called to start others and our own. You will learn and do great, it is like any technique, learn the tr...

I have taught graduate level pharmacology to nurse anesthesia students and was appalled at the lack of basic knowledge of the students. Because they knew very little about pharmacokinetics, basic metabolism of medications and even math, I found it n...

Many are as rude as you let them be. Respect should be mutual and earned. I usually ignore them in tense situations, but don't allow it as an ego thing.

When someone asks me the difference between a nurse anesthetist and an MD anesthesiologist, my answer is that we (CRNAs) bring our nursing experience into the anesthesia care. We listen to the patients, reassure them, watch them closely, are methodi...

It sounds like you have a good science background and certainly, the interest to become a CRNA and I would encourage you to consider it. However, you also need to develop some good patient care skills and people skills. If you love taking care of p...

Cerebral, you and I must be joined at the hip. This thread is ridiculous and should be closed. The OP is offering an opinion that has no factual basis and is totally irrelevant as well as being insulting to the entire CRNA profession. I would be...

It is really in the answer of how you define independent practice. Many CRNAs are independent business people, have their own practices, do their own billing, and everything else involved in being in a business. Also, many choose to work for someon...

Check with your board of nursing, unless you are a nurse practitioner. They are really clamping down on non-advance practice nurses practicing outside their scope. Nurse anesthetists are setting up pain clinics and are doing very well, but it is nec...

Anyone who cuts off the pilot tube of any airway device is a sloppy practitioner, in my opinion. Deflate it with a syringe. Cowboys belong on the range, not taking care of patients. Finesse is an art and is what separates the good from the margina...

As an expert in anesthesia, I will offer a few answers. First, it depends on what goes wrong and who has control of the situation. There are times when there is massive hemorrhage at the surgical site. The surgeons try to control it surgically, th...

Thanks Cerebral. I totally agree with your post. There is a lot of wonderful information available regarding the clinical practice and profession of nurse anesthesia. I was hoping this forum would allow me the opportunity to learn from other CRNAs...

I would highly recommend that you go to http://www.aana.com, and look for the link called AIR (anesthetists in recovery). You will get some valuable information there and maybe meet people who have personal knowledge about the topic.

Not every patient gets amnesia from versed. It should not be relied upon as an amnesic. I know, because I have had versed a number of times and remember everything. We even set up a trick question to see if I would remember, prior to my last surge...

Starting IVs is a technical skill and is one you can learn quickly. There are a few rules for starting IVs for anesthesia that are different than IVs for other situations. 1. Use local to make a skin wheal before inserting the bigger bore angioca...

Good luck at whatever you decide to do. The future is bright for nursing and finding one's niche is important to being happy and satisfied. I never regret having chosen to be a CRNA, but have a lot of respect for all of those who have gone differen...

In a recent discussion with nursing educators, CRNA educators and critical care nurses, from their perspective, there appears to be a lack of clinical nursing experience going on. Nursing programs are having difficulties finding clinical sites for t...

If you think anesthesia is boring, you don't know enough about it. If you want high drama, please do us a favor and don't go into anesthesia. I like my cases to go well and drama is not necessary nor productive in anesthesia. I think you would be ...

I am very confused. Being a new person on this board, I thought people were interested in how to get in an anesthesia program, what it is like to be a SRNA and a CRNA. When someone answers those questions realistically, especially an SRNA or CRNA, ...

I would take a good biochemistry course and work hard to get a high grade. That would show an admission committee that you have the interest and grades to make it.

VCU has one of the best school in the country. Why not visit the program director and tell him what your goals are and get his suggestions on the best courses to take. It would also be a good idea to let them know who you are and that you are inter...

If you want an argument you came to the right place. You can say and think all you want about the big paychecks CRNAs make, but I can tell you, that won't fly in an interview for anesthesia school. I am a CRNA, have a nice income and love my work. ...

I used to work with a CRNA who couldn't stand to suction patients and who would gag and heave when she did it. But, she worked for years and was a great anesthetist. But, needles may be another matter. If I was a patient and the CRNA coming to my ...

I agree with Voodoo. Just getting an interview is difficult, let alone getting admitted to anesthesia school. Admissions committees are looking for the best and the brightest and those who are willing to do all they have to do to get into school. ...

It depends on whether or not your CRNA program is in an nursing school or not. There are some excellent programs that are not located in nursing departments. BUT, no matter where you go, plan on taking research and having statistics pre-reqs. Anes...

Great post with lots of good information. I have a question for you. As a CRNA, I have had several requests for nurses who are considering anesthesia to shadow me for a day. Did you do this and if so, was it worthwhile. I think I would enjoy havi...