I do work in both roles. Each role also utilizes the other. For instance in the ER, I'm great with trauma and airway management due to my years as a CRNA. I'm much better at medically managing a patient in the peri-operative period due to my NP.
I provide solo anesthesia coverage in a small CAH. I'm the only anesthesia provider. I cover OR, Ob and ER for critical care, trauma etc. I usually take 8-10 weeks off a year. Some of this time, I cover the ER at two neighboring rural hospitals that utilize NPs as the sole provider.
Staying up to date is easy. The CME can usually be used for both.
My typical week depends. If I'm covering anesthesia, I'm on 24/7 call. We have visiting surgeons that come certain days of the month. We do pediatric dental cases every Monday. Scopes every other week. Occasional pain management consults such as ESIs and such. I cover OB for epidurals and c-sections. I cover the ER for trauma, codes, airway management. i also do quite a few peripheral nerve blocks for fracture reductions, dislocations etc. We have FP clinic providers at the hospital I cover anesthesia at. A couple of them are not as strong in ER medicine and I'm happy to help. Chest tubes, FAST exams etc.
if I cover ER. I will do either 24 or 48 hours of coverage. Usually see 15/day so it's not overly busy. Occasional trauma or other more serious condition that gets shipped out.
