Shadowing: Hitting a Brick Wall in Central TX

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Hi everyone,

I am going to be a nursing student in spring 2007 (well, I have been accepted to UMHB and hopefully will gain admittance to the nursing program in that year as I already have my AA) and am seriously considering becoming a CRNA. I have been trying to shadow a CRNA at my local level one trauma center (Scott & White) but am hitting a brick wall with human resources. I was under the impression that that was my only way to access the CRNAs. My question is: do you think it would be wise to write a letter directly to the head of Anesthesiology requesting to shadow some of their CRNAs, or will this only anger the department head? Since I'm not getting anywhere with human resources, I'm really starting to wonder if they even let people shadow in their OR's. If I can't gain access here, can any of you suggest some other places where I could watch a kick a** CRNA in action?

Thanks to all who reply!

Becca

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I would contact the CRNA director at the hospital and let them know your situation. They should be able to set something up. I have never gotten a job in a hospital by applying at human resources. I find out who the manager is and email and call them directly. Never had a problem.

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Specializes in SRNA class of 2010.

i am actually in the same boat. i have a CRNA at an enormous teaching hospital that is willing to let me shadow him. at this time, the hospital is saying no because i do not have . CRNA's argument is, well, if i am not participating in patient care what so ever, this is a teaching institution, and the patients agree to it, why cant i shadow? hospital saying well what if i slip and fall, get poked by a needle that flies across the room, splashed in the eye, so on and so forth i am a risk. so at this moment, looks like if i was still employeed there on a unit, it would be ok. im contracted in an ICU that does not utilize CRNAs. so i am going to contact the powers that be and see if i can sign waiver or something... ill let you know how it goes.

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The easiest way to shadow is to go to OR with your patient. Occasionally I only have one patient (usually two) in ICU. If my patient is going to surgery I go with them. I ask questions while in surgery. I talk to the surgeon as well as the anesthetist. I have gained a lot of information this way.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.
i am actually in the same boat. i have a CRNA at an enormous teaching hospital that is willing to let me shadow him. at this time, the hospital is saying no because i do not have malpractice insurance. CRNA's argument is, well, if i am not participating in patient care what so ever, this is a teaching institution, and the patients agree to it, why cant i shadow? hospital saying well what if i slip and fall, get poked by a needle that flies across the room, splashed in the eye, so on and so forth i am a risk. so at this moment, looks like if i was still employeed there on a unit, it would be ok. im contracted in an ICU that does not utilize CRNAs. so i am going to contact the powers that be and see if i can sign waiver or something... ill let you know how it goes.

are u working at this "teaching" hospital? either way, sounds like a very "proactive" facility.... !!! living on the 'what-ifs' would keep everyone from learning..

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.
The easiest way to shadow is to go to OR with your patient. Occasionally I only have one patient (usually two) in ICU. If my patient is going to surgery I go with them. I ask questions while in surgery. I talk to the surgeon as well as the anesthetist. I have gained a lot of information this way.

sometimes one ?!??!!?!??!?!! wow - - i envy u.. tell me where and i'm there. i average 3, sometimes 2, and rarely 4. i have the fortunate luck of administration that looks at numbers not acuity.. i can't wait to leave in august.. NO MORE RN BS !!

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Specializes in SRNA class of 2010.
are u working at this "teaching" hospital? either way, sounds like a very "proactive" facility.... !!! living on the 'what-ifs' would keep everyone from learning..

well.....i am currently contracted at a non-teaching / non-crna hospital. this took place at a massive teaching facility i use to work for. im thinking about accepting another position part time at a crna friendly hospital, including that hospital, just to cut through all the red tape.

chris

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.

well, even so.. shadow an mda if u need to.. i have as well and you know what? same thing... experience is key.

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well, even so.. shadow an mda if u need to.. i have as well and you know what? same thing... experience is key.

You could do that (shadow an MDA) to get an idea about anesthesia in general. However, you must also shadow a CRNA. That will be your career, not medicine. During interviews, if they ask you have you shadowed and you say "yes, an MD only" then of course the next question is.....if you haven't seen what a CRNA does, how can you know that is the career for you? This is a valid question. Continue to check other hospitals, maybe community ones. Get your school involved in helping you with administration. Write up a proposal about your learning objectives and how "shadowing" will assist in that goal. Re-submit this package to the hospital's administration. Good luck to you

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You could do that (shadow an MDA) to get an idea about anesthesia in general. However, you must also shadow a CRNA. That will be your career, not medicine. During interviews, if they ask you have you shadowed and you say "yes, an MD only" then of course the next question is.....if you haven't seen what a CRNA does, how can you know that is the career for you? This is a valid question. Continue to check other hospitals, maybe community ones. Get your school involved in helping you with administration. Write up a proposal about your learning objectives and how "shadowing" will assist in that goal. Re-submit this package to the hospital's administration. Good luck to you

Thanks for the tip skipaway. I will do that. I think the reason I might be hitting some roadblocks is that I'm not technically a nursing student yet. Hopefully I will have an easier time as I enter the BSN program next fall. Thanks to everyone who replied!!

:monkeydance:

Becca

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