sweetsleeper

I became a CRNA because I wanted to do something more challenging than what I was doing at the time (working as an RN in Critical Care/Recovery Room). I was working on an MSN at the time and one day I asked myself "what am I doing this for?" I was not fulfilled and needed more in my professional life. I applied to anesthesia school and got accepted. I guess the rest is history. I really enjoy anesthesia and fill I have found my "niche." The monetary aspect is great, but it was not my primary motivation for going into anesthesia. I hope this helps to answer your questions. sweepsleeper CRNA:zzzzz

Jim, I must say you have a way w/ words! You hit on the head what I am trying to do, and you expressed it quite eloquently! I guess for me, the money of the profession is fine, but I did not go into anesthesia for that. I went into it because I wanted to grow as a person and as a professional. When I was just working as an RN, there were times I got so bored w/ the same old thing that I was doing, I just wanted to scream! I love patient and family interaction, but I also enjoy the "intensiveness" of anesthesia. And I love to see what anesthesia does. I absolutely enjoy getting an extremely nervous, vocal patient (and their family) and talking to them, starting the IV (which I am pretty good at), and then titrating in some good ole Versed so that I can visibly see the patient (and their family members) relax and even smile! I enjoy taking care of the young mother-to-be who is going to have a c/section. Alot of times I can talk her into a spinal so she can "hear her baby cry for the first time" and daddy being in the room w/ her. There have been very few times that I have not seen a tear in the mama's eyes when she hears that cry for the first time. THAT is what makes me feel like I have accomplished something that day. Am I strange or what?

As a CRNA for several years, I promise you there is an "attitude" there. It is almost like we CRNAs disowned the nursing profession! Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, I do most of the things an anesthesiologist does, but I was a nurse first. The other thing is that I believe that alot of nursing faculty (especially those in BSN/MSN programs) don't really know what a CRNA is. CRNAs have historically had a problem with being noticed by the public. Part of that is our own fault. We are probably the greatest "secret" in the nursing/medical community today. A hot topic lately is how we can become more "noticed" by the public by using the media, etc.

Think of MAC (minimal alveolar concentration) this way: With a certain concentration of say Sevo 1 MAC, that means that half the patients tested at that level of percentage of agent moved to noxious stimuli, and half did not. It is simply a measurement. It has been several years, but that is what I remember it as. Don't go asking me alot of specifics, I don't remember all of them! Hope this helps. sweetsleeper CRNA

I have been doing anesthesia as a CRNA for 15 years and I really enjoy it. I honestly think I found my niche after doing ICU/CCU/PACU for several years. Right now I work in a state in the southeast in a major univ medical center (sorry for being kind of paronoid in case some folks I work w/ are "lurking" here) where I think I have just about had it w/ the acedemic working model for awhile...I've been here for 5 years. I enjoy doing my own cases sometimes, but the majority of the time all the "big" cases go to the anesthesia residents or I end up supervising the SRNA's/teaching all the time. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it and feel like I am good at teaching students, but I need a change. I have worked in the private sector w/ anesthesiologists and CRNA's in a group, but I never got to talk to the patient's families (I know alot of CRNA's don't like to do that) but I personally enjoy the family contact. So, since I have done alot of that, I would like to try something new...like working in a CRNA only group. I have alot of varied experience and enjoy doing big cases (AAA's, etc.) as well as occasional days of EGD's and colonoscopies. I like doing my own lines and spinals, epidurals, etc. Regarding the CRNA group in Georgia, yes, I would be very interested in contacting them. Could you please e-mail me privately at [email protected] regarding where in Georgia the group is, etc. Thanks, sweetsleeper CRNA

I would agree I would not do the general anesthesia like that. Burn patients hurt like h**l when the debridement is finished. Sevo is sevoflurane, a gas we use, and vec is vecuronium, a muscle relaxant we use frequently in anesthesia. Because the pt. was sedated in the unit w/ Morphine and Versed, I would have at least given some morphine during the procedure. As a rule, I try to never let my patients wake up hurting w/ alot of pain. The anesthesia was sloppy w/ little concern given for the patient's comfort. No wonder the HR and BP were so high! Just so you know, most folks would give narcotics. And personally, I think an incident report was a good thing. If nothing else, it will get the attention of the anesthesia provider. I appreciate your concern. It shows you really care about your patients. Sweetsleeper CRNA

Hey Everybody, This is my first time posting to the forum. I have been a CRNA for several years, and I am interested in joining a CRNA only group w/ the potential of becoming a partner. I live in the southeast, so if anybody has any leads or ideas, I would appreciate it. I have checked several job boards such as gaswork.com, and various agency boards. Thanks!