Retrospective question...

[New CCU RN]

For those who are now CRNA's or SRNA's, I have a question. What skills do you feel you gained as a critical care RN have carried on into you career as a CRNA?

Also if you were to go back knowing now what you didn't know then, would there have been certain things you would have done in order to prepare yourself more for the challanges of your schooling and career? ie) more experience, etc.

Thanks all for your comments in advance.

[smiling_ru]

These are the things that I most appreciate having experience in, now that I am a CRNA

1. Being able to look at my rhythm and hemodynamic numbers and know what is wrong without having to think about it.

2. Being comfortable with the drugs that I am using. (used most in ICU)

3. The ability to REMAIN CALM and deal with a crisis when it occurs.

4. A better understanding of pathophysiology as it applies to a myriad of disease processes. There are a lot of disorders that I know a patient has just by looking at them. Only due to experience.

5. The ability to determine what my patient needs and get it. (read; autonomy)

6. Spent a lot of time looking at/ interpreting lab results. Now second nature, most I do not have to sit and figure out.

Those are just the ones that come to mind quickly, there are others. I think that the experience was invaluable to me in relation to my practice now.

[Brenna's Dad]

I agree with all that smiling Ru has to say.

I think the AANA requirement for critical care nursing is a good one. I was just wondering the other day how any of this would be possible without it.

1. I think one of the biggest skill I am using presently is the ability to monitor what is happening to the patient and titrate drugs (volatile agents included) accordingly. To ICU nurses, this is second nature.

2. Easily develop a rapport

3. Interpret the significance of medical history and labratory results

4. Like RU, said, remain calm. When the anesthetist freaks out, the OR staff freaks out. Instead, of freaking, I go into the "zone," which is only possible because of my ICU training and experience.

From my perspective (which is very nursing based) I'm not sure how MDAs accomplish this without a great deal of work. I know that by the completion of their residency, they have great experience in critical situations, but most of this experience consists of giving orders instead of doing what needs to be done. Very interesting to me...

In order to preapre myself better, I would focus on finances. Although we paid off all our debt before starting school, I would have tried to stash away a few more dollars for the 28 months ahead. Like all have said before me, working although not impossible, must be kept to a minmimum and having to work when that killer Pharm test is coming down the shoot really sucks.

It would also be a lot nicer for my wife if she didnt ahve to work so much.

[cortrn]

I love this thread...........srnas, please, please, please share what you would do differently if you'd known from the beginning this would be your path. Thanks.

etherchick:)