RN tired of feeling like a waitress

RN403, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2015

Those that I have shadowed seem content. Try shadowing if you can. You can pick their brains and see things for yourself which is the best way to develop your own & accurate opinion.

gazpaz · Sep 24, 2015

When I was thinking about applying someone said to me - look around, have you ever seen an anesthesiologist or a Crna that isn't happy? Truth is still no. I love my job, I work with an amazing group of individuals - MDs and CRNAs. You will always run into people who are unhappy and treat you unfairly, no matter what your profession. It might take you a while to find a good anesthesia group, this was my second job out of school. But in the end, I would still go back and do it again. I love what I do, we work with great surgeons, the nurses and techs in the OR are amazing and we have a great support system. It's all about building good working relationships and then doing the job that you love. Of course there are some days when tired and the drapes go up a little higher, but we all have those days. Shadow some CRNAs, get a taste for it. It is nothing like bedside nursing. Most days, everything goes smoothly, but when things do go wrong - they go really wrong. You just always have to be prepared.

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Sep 25, 2015

I am a CRNA hopeful. I am currently applying to schools and have landed an interview in October. One thing I would suggest is maybe switching units. Are you in an ICU already?

In my opinion, those who are the most successful in advanced practice are not ashamed to still carry the name Nurse.

There is a sense of solidarity in carrying the title Nurse. It means we have all done our time and shared the same experiences. We have all done our times in the trenches and survived.

I think that as I carry on the title Nurse as I advance in my practice, it is a constant reminder of the work I have done in the past. It is also a reminder of the care I will deliver with compassion as I move forward.

I am proud to be a Nurse. I will stand up for my profession for the rest of my life. I want to break the stereotypes that still exist about nurses being just followers of doctors orders and "waitresses".

The way I do this is by furthering my education. Also when I am at the bedside, I am constantly educating my patients and telling them what I am looking (assessing) for. I show them with my words and my actions that I am more than a waitress or just a follower of orders. I am an educated professional, as are all nurses. I show my patients through my demeanor and actions and professionalism that Nurses deserve more respect.

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Sep 25, 2015

Yes it is a constant battle and to me, it's one worth fighting.

CRNARosie · Sep 28, 2015

If you feel like a waitress, then you are viewing the nursing profession the wrong way. Attitude is everything. Maybe it is the hospital that you work in? Sounds like you have not had many good role models/mentors within your experience as a nurse.

I have been a CRNA for more than 18 years and have always enjoyed being a nurse.

Actually nursing including nurse anesthesia are extremely powerful professions.

If you hate bedside nursing being a CRNA may not be the answer, as you will need a minimum of 1 year ICU experience, passing the CCRN exam, ACLS/PALS certifications, good GRE scores and passion for being a nurse.

CRNARosie · Sep 28, 2015

If you feel like a waitress, then you are viewing the nursing profession the wrong way. Attitude is everything. Maybe it is the hospital that you work in? Sounds like you have not had many good role models/mentors within your experience as a nurse.
I have been a CRNA for more than 18 years and have always enjoyed being a nurse.
Actually nursing including nurse anesthesia are extremely powerful professions.
If you hate bedside nursing being a CRNA may not be the answer, as you will need a minimum of 1 year ICU experience, passing the CCRN exam, ACLS/PALS certifications, good GRE scores and passion for being a nurse.

"Most people are exactly as happy as they make up their minds to be" -- A. Lincoln

Go-GetterRN · Sep 28, 2015

If you are ashamed to have the word "nurse" in your title, please do something else.

Ashrnicu16 · Sep 29, 2015

I feel like people who aren't knowledgeable about the actual profession of nurse anesthesia just think dollar bills and more respect and think "hey I think I'll be a crna!"

Do you even realize how much it costs to go to crna school? That's if you are even accepted to a good program. It's not just something you wake up and decide to do its hard work and you really have to have a good understanding of and passion for the job. I spent a good year really seeking out if crna was what I wanted to pursue and another year working on studying for ccrn, gre, etc just to apply. Not to mention I've been in bedside nursing for 8 years.

It just annoys me the reasons I see people claiming they want to do nurse anesthesia on this board. Especially the new grad with 6 months of experience wanting to apply. Do yourself a favor and spend some time tee searching what crnas actually do, shadow one. Then research how incredibly hard the program is at most schools then make your decision....

aerorunner80, ADN, BSN, MSN, APRN · Oct 2, 2015

I feel like people who aren't knowledgeable about the actual profession of nurse anesthesia just think dollar bills and more respect and think "hey I think I'll be a crna!"
Do you even realize how much it costs to go to crna school? That's if you are even accepted to a good program. It's not just something you wake up and decide to do its hard work and you really have to have a good understanding of and passion for the job. I spent a good year really seeking out if crna was what I wanted to pursue and another year working on studying for ccrn, gre, etc just to apply. Not to mention I've been in bedside nursing for 8 years.
It just annoys me the reasons I see people claiming they want to do nurse anesthesia on this board. Especially the new grad with 6 months of experience wanting to apply. Do yourself a favor and spend some time tee searching what crnas actually do, shadow one. Then research how incredibly hard the program is at most schools then make your decision....

Couldn't agree more! I decided I wanted to pursue CRNA as a career almost 2 years ago and have spent all that time preparing just for the application process!! Not to mention the preparation for school when I get accepted somewhere.

It's not an easy nor a light decision to make. There are huge financial implications not to mention the uprooting of family and moving halfway across the country (as is the case for me).

I had interest in the profession when I was in nursing school and then when I graduated, I realized how much I still had to learn so I put grad school on the back burner for almost 3 years so I could concentrate on becoming a competent and knowledgeable bedside nurse.

CCRN_CSC_0710 · Oct 2, 2015

OP: may I ask what kind of nurse you are? I've been in a CVICU for a while, and I can say the doctors and families have a lot of respect for the nurses. I've had doctors ask my opinion (yesterday a doc asked "do you think he needs more fluids or a pressor?") and really respect what I have to say. Additionally I lost a patient earlier this week and watched the family shake the doctor's hand, but gave me the biggest hug and wrote both me and my orientee a LONG card, and our hospital was listed in the obituary.

I am going to CRNA school in the spring but it was never because I felt like you do, more because I love this profession and have shadowed 15+ CRNA's and really see myself making a difference as an anesthesia provider.

If you're seeing such little respect maybe you need to try a different unit or hospital.