Trauma CRNA?

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Is there such a thing as a CRNA who works exclusively (or semi-exclusively) with the Trauma Service? Maybe serves to put in lines and intubate folks in the ICU and respond to Alerts in the ER in addition to providing intraop anesthesia?

Looking for something that will combine Anesthesia with a little more work with Trauma patients.

Hi,

I live in Houston, TX. What I like the most about anesthesia is that I feel comfortable saving lives and the knowledge that I've learned. When I was dreaming of anesthesia school years ago, I would try to read some of the AANA journals and it was total greek to me. Obviously now...it's very easy to understand...so the learning curve is huge. The money is great. I work about 20-28 hrs/wk and make what my full-time friends make.

The downside...it is very stressful. There is a worry of getting sued especially over difficult airways. Patients are getting heavier and heavier and getting harder to pre-oxygenate and intubate. So far...I haven't had any disasters.

There is a lot of tension between MD anesthesiologists and CRNA's. They resent how much money we make and that we don't take call usually. Other MDs (different specialities) resent how much money we make. MDAs also want to control CRNAs and we are under the nursing board. IF they could control us, then they could cut our pay drastically. A lot of MDAs are pushing for AA's..that is someone with a B.S. degree in any field that they personally train. However, the AAs have no critical bedside nursing experience. Over the past 2 years, it seems that the MDAs are trying not to be so hostile and work with the AANA...but it remains to be seen. Every group is different. Currently, I work with a nice friendly group that like CRNAs, so that is nice. There are a lot of MDAs that are not very proficient at difficult airways and take a lot of chances...that really puts me in a bad situation. At a conference this weekend, they said that if you get involved in a situation that you predict with be bad...that we are just as liable as the MDAs. THat is very tough...because if you question their judgement and they don't really like CRNAs anyway...it's not good for employment.

So overall, it's a great job for the hours and they pay...just know that it is very stressful...especially the first 5 yrs out of school. There is no perfect job. I am building another business on the side to replace and surpass my current income. But, I will probably always work a little to keep my skills up and I enjoy the mental challenge. Hope this helps.

MB

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Specializes in MICU, CVICU.
Hi,

I am new to this site. I graduated from anesthesia school in 1998 and have a few years under my belt. If you have any questions to ask a crna, just email me.

Just curious, where did you go to school? I'm a BSN student at UT Austin, and I 'll be graduating in December. I'm thinking about going the CRNA route and trying to find a hospital with a good ICU internship/residency in Texas. I'm also trying to get a little informaiton about the CRNA programs in TX as well (I'm mainly trying to decide between moving back to Houston or going to Dallas). Thanks for sharing.

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Hi,

I went to Baylor College of Medicine. Here's what I know: It really doesn't matter where you get your ICU training. The admission committees like adult ICU, CVICU, and SICU. I did get in with a lot of Neonatal ICU...but it's rare. I think that I boosted my odds by taking the CCRN and RNC exams.

The CRNA programs in Texas are all good, but are different. At Baylor College of Medicine the admission process is rigorous. They especially look at your science GPA and ICU experience. But on the good side, once you're in...they do their best to help you graduate. I reviewed the course program the other day and it is even better than I went there. You get a lot of trauma experience, difficult airway practice, and work on the simulator. It is very good. You work sometimes 100 hrs/wk on the trauma rotation...but you finish with a massive amount of cases under your belt. The pass rate is very good for the boards.

Texas Wesleyan seems like a very good school. The tuition is similar to BCM. I think that the SRNAs have to travel around to different sites a lot.

UT in Houston has a reputation for kicking out all but 5 of their original class of 15...or that's they way it used to be. BUt, they have 100% pass rates. Their clinicals are not as good. The UT students don't get as many regionals as BCM does. We did 100 to their 5. We were always left alone in the OR from day 1 which is very scary. They were not...but I don't know if that's a big deal or not. On the up side, the tuition there is very very low.

I got in to both BCM, UT, and another school in TN. I think that I got the best education at BCM...but I could just be biased. If I were you, I would call Jim Walker, the program director, and ask to shadow a SRNA for the day. He's very nice and loves to help students succeed in school. You can find the webpage online. I can't remember what it is. I think that I typed http://www.bcm.tmc.edu and found it. Good luck.

MB

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MB......I start at Texas Wesleyan this fall and I'm really thinking about Houston as far as a place to live afterwards. Any advice on what hospitals you would suggest/not suggest to work for as a first job fresh out of school?

SigmaSrna

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Hi Sigma,

Call me 281-455-9518 and I'll give you the details.

mb

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Specializes in MICU, CVICU.

Thanks for the info!

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