Extracurricular Reading to Prepare for CRNA

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hello all,

I currently have an associates degree degree in nursing, but my long-term goal is to continue my education and apply for anesthesia school. From what I understand, these programs are quite hard to get into, so I want to begin my learning now. Are there any books or textbooks that you would recommend for extracurricular reading? I'm sure every program has their own textbook requirements, but what are some books or textbooks that you've found so helpful that you would recommend them to anyone considering CRNA? Bonus points if you can add a link to the book on Amazon in your response... (I don't know if that's possible here.)

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While I admire your gumption and it may not be the response you're looking for, as a current SRNA I've gotta say your time is probably best spent focusing on other stuff right now. If you're not currently working in the ICU, try getting into one. If you already are, really focus on being the best damn ICU nurse you can be: lookup stuff you don't know (or don't know like the back of your hand), review meds and procedures, pathophysiology, etc. Get your CCRN and other specialty certs if you don't already have them. Same goes for earning your BSN and getting great grades. Get involved with your local AACN chapter, seek out leadership positions whether it's in your unit/hospital, in your community, or elsewhere. IMO, anesthesia textbooks before starting anesthesia school have very limited value right now--you'll learn all that stuff when you're in school and when you're in an environment to apply it. The other stuff is what sets the foundation you'll need to be successful in school and in your career.

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Thanks for the advice. I have 6 years ER/ICU experience and am studying to have my CEN and CCRN certifications by the end of the year. Looking to start my bachelor's this fall or possibly next spring. I have been volunteering on various committees and task forces at my place of employment and in the community as well. The reason I asked for anesthesia texts is because I feel fairly comfortable with my ER/ICU knowledge base where it is right now, so I'm looking to expand that.

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Ah, OK. I had the same amount of ER and ICU experience prior to applying. While I stand by my comment about anesthesia texts having limited value until you start school and are in an environment to apply the stuff you're learning (although I didn't understand why until I started school myself), if you're still determined to have some of the standard texts I can suggest a couple. Nagelhout's Nurse Anesthesia and Morgan & Mikhail's Clinical Anesthesiology are pretty ubiquitous to anesthesia programs. If you can get your hands on a copy of Watchful Care: A History America's Nurse Anesthetists by Marianne Bankert, it provides a really good account of how the profession developed (and which provides good material when deciding how you'll articulate "why nurse anesthesia" when asked by program directors, your family, friends, future patients, etc.). There are also some great podcasts out there on anesthesia issues and practice (plus they're free!).

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Thank you very much! I appreciate the advice!

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I would recommend getting a nurse anesthesia textbook. The first few chapters include the history and overview of anesthesia. Def worth the read if you are considering CRNA.

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I would say looking at Nurse Anesthesia by Nagelhout

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Thank you for your input!

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I'm in the application process as well and i've enjoyed Anesthesia:Crash Course by Charles Horton. It isn't particularly detailed but it is easy reading and gives good information (in my opinion.) Good luck!

Anesthesia Crash Course: 978

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