Standing during procedure

At my job, the amount of standing depends on the day. Some days with a full schedule of cases, yes, there is a lot of standing, walking, and pushing carts. If you have a day with a couple long cases, there is less standing. I believe as a student, you will do more standing. Should this stop you, I don't know, it depends on your level of pain. Maybe talk with your podiatrist.

Man, some days I don't even have time to sit to chart. We have (general) surgeons that can do lap chole/or hernia faster that I can chart the intubation, monitors and fluids. Surgery centers usually have cases that turn over quickly. In our hospital, the neuro cases and some of the urology cases last over an hour. I imagine, there will be a fit for you somewhere, depending upon where you live.

I think it also depends on where you are doing your residency. I have not been forced to stand during surgery where I am. As a matter of fact, there are a few people here who insist that I sit, because they say for years they were not allowed to and we have earned that right.

For the most part I do a little of both. If there is only one chair and my preceptor is in the room, I defer it to them and sometimes they will take it and sometimes they insist that I take it. I spend a lot of time standing though because I want to see what is going on with the surgery, and you can't tell if you're sitting. When I'm charting and we are in the "cruise" portion of the case, I will usually sit, but during induction, emergence, or any time I need to see how the surgery is going, then I stand.

Is this problem with your feet something that can be fixed? IT's an awesome career choice, I'm really enjoying it. I would hate to see this be something that holds you back!

Thanks for all the replies!

"Is this problem with your feet something that can be fixed?"

I wear orthotics now but still suffer quite a bit of pain. This is in large part due to the size of the unit (MICU) that I work in. The floor is concrete covered with tile. The distance from one end to the other and back again is 300ft. (length of a football field). The only cure for my feet at this point would have to be surgery. I am planning to go back to the podiatrist and talk to him about this. I have heard mixed reviews on this type of procedure, concerning outcomes and the length of recovery time. Anyways, hearing all of the input from you guys makes me feel a bit more at ease. Again, thanks!

If I double post this, sorry!

Thanks for all the replies!

As for whether or not my feet can be fixed, I know there are a couple of options. The first is orthotics, which I wear religiously. The second is surgery. I've heard mixed results on this type of procedure in both outcome and recovery. At some point I will to have to have it done regardless. The problem that I deal with now is that the newly built unit I work on requires a lot of walking. The distance from one end to the other is 150 ft.. This equates to a football field in length when traveling back and forth such as when having to fax something (only one working fax on whole unit :angryfire). One staff member used a podometer to measure the amt of walking done and was amazed that in 8 hrs. he had travelled approximately 9 mi. The unit is actually set up like a standard hospital floor. Anyways, enough of my complaining. I'll keep going so long as my feet don't fall off.

There are certainly some days that you do more sitting, but CRNA's don't spend a lot of time sitting on a stool. You will be walking when you pick up your patient, walking to recovery, walking to other departments to do anesthesia (ex. MRI, cath lab, codes, etc.,). If your facility is large, there is the walk in from the parking lot, walking down to the cafeteria,etc. Like Quiigley says, some days turnover is so fast, you don't do much sitting. I guess I just want to dispel the myth that all we do is sit on a stool and turn dials all day. Can you shadow a CRNA for a few days to get a feel for how much walking and standing might be expected and how your feet tolerate it.

There is lots of standing. I developed plantar fascitis from all of the standing on my feet. Did lots of "beating heart" CABGs in my time and can tell you that with those cases you pretty much stood the entire time. It really is a myth that you get to sit alot...you are on your feet my hours each day.

DM

I think that you should be prepared to stand the entire case especially as a student. What if there is only one stool in the room are you going to say to the CRNA that you have flat feet and you need to sit down? If so, let me know how that goes for you? And like a previous post has said that some surgeons can do a lap choley faster than you will be able to chart what you just did during induction & intubation, well that is exactly true. If you are still considering this profession consider getting your self a podiatrist and a good pair of shows that can accomodate your situation.