Two CRNA Questions

Editorial Team / Admin · Jun 15, 2016

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Thread moved to Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist forum where CRNAs and Students will reply.

crnahopeful2 · Jun 15, 2016

You can specialize just as a nurse can, not prior to graduation and typically you'd have better luck with this working in a large academic center, but it really is just facility dependent. However, realize that specializing may make you less marketable therefore I wouldn't recommend doing it right out of school.

guest769224 · Jun 15, 2016

CRNA's can work with neonates, but not ONLY neonates. You'd encounter that opportunity in a children's hospital, where you'd treat children of all ages, including the cute babies.

Perhaps rather than reading anesthesia books as a nursing student, you might want to work on increasing your chances of getting into an ICU as a new grad so you can hop right into CRNA school. I don't know any book recommendations but if you search the site here you'll find some.

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · Jun 16, 2016

Big Miller as we call it (2 volume set) will be WAY over your head, no offense. There is honestly no point in you reading anesthesia text as you won't really understand the basic concepts its explaining. I was the same way as you so more than likely you will read it anyway and Baby Miller (Miller Basics) is a decent book without too much detail but I suggest getting a physiology book and starting there.

A&P in nursing school is a complete joke and doesn't teach you anywhere near the detail required to really understand how the body works. A great physiology book is by the author Constanzo called "physiology" Start there and really understand the concepts of how things work. Then move on to reading about biochemistry. You need a great understanding of how things really work at the cellular level. If you skip this step you can still know what to give as a CRNA but you won't know the why behind any of it.

New to the forum, this will be my first post. I am currently in nursing school, doing well. My long term goals, however, are to work either as an NNP or as a CRNA. Both Anesthesia and neonates really interest me. I have two questions. (1) Can a CRNA specialize with procedures? That is, can a CRNA work specifically with neonates? (or any other specific case they wish). (2) When it comes to Anesthesia, what are the best works and academic articles that y'all (yes I am from Texas) have found helpful? I have heard CRNA programs are difficult. So I have begun reading through anesthesiology textbooks. I am currently reading through Miller's Basics to Anesthesiology. I plan on buying Miller's two volume next. If there are any other works, introductory or advanced, that are considered standard volumes in the industry, I would love to know about them.
Thank you for your input, I greatly appreciate it in advance.
- Fred

fredb · Jun 16, 2016

Great, I will pickup that text. I figured Miller's 2 vol. would be intense. But yes you are correct, I am still going to read it lol. I am a fairly dedicated self-learner and I enjoy understanding concepts of a given field, not merely facts. Also, I want that firm foundation that you are speaking of. I will focus on my Physiology and biochem. Let me also ask this, what is the standard anesthesia pharm book? I would also like to start reading up on the fields specific drugs. Thanks again! Your comment is a lot of help.

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · Jun 16, 2016

I would buy or "download" lippencotts illustrated pharmacology before buying an anesthesia pharm book. Plus the anesthesia book you have now is plenty pharm for you.

Great, I will pickup that text. I figured Miller's 2 vol. would be intense. But yes you are correct, I am still going to read it lol. I am a fairly dedicated self-learner and I enjoy understanding concepts of a given field, not merely facts. Also, I want that firm foundation that you are speaking of. I will focus on my Physiology and biochem. Let me also ask this, what is the standard anesthesia pharm book? I would also like to start reading up on the fields specific drugs. Thanks again! Your comment is a lot of help.

NurseDiane · Jun 21, 2016

Don't read anesthesia textbooks in nursing school. Focus on passing nursing school, passing the NCLEX and getting a job. Without ICU experience, anesthesia textbooks are worthless. You won't use the information in the anesthesia textbook until you are well into anesthesia school, and it will be of no use in a medical0surgical setting. You need at least 2 years of ICU experience----focus on getting into an ICU. Remember, you have to get admitted to anesthesia school first---don't take it as a given that you will be admitted. Drugs used in anesthesia will have little to no significance in med surg, and even ICU. Unless you're giving anesthesia in the OR, you won't be around inhaled gases, many injectable drugs, etc. There is a BIG difference between working in an ICU and being a CRNA, not just pharmacology or biochem or cellular physiology. You have to know some pretty intense respiratory management, how different drugs affect the brain & vital organs, anesthesia plans in different disease processes----all this stuff will confuse you with the stuff you have to know to pass in nursing school and pass the NCLEX. Stop overstepping what your immediate focus should be on. You have several years before you will ever even have to think about applying to anesthesia school, and many "stepping stones" you'll need under your belt before you get there (ACLS, PALS, NALS, ventilator management, invasive line management & interpretation, disease management in the ICU, etc.). Not too many hospitals are hiring new grads into ICU's anymore----new grads have to put in their time on med surg units for a while before they can move into ICU. I think a 5 year plan before you apply to anesthesia school is a good idea.

buspar · Jun 26, 2016

Don't read anesthesia textbooks in nursing school. Focus on passing nursing school, passing the NCLEX and getting a job. Without ICU experience, anesthesia textbooks are worthless. You won't use the information in the anesthesia textbook until you are well into anesthesia school, and it will be of no use in a medical0surgical setting. You need at least 2 years of ICU experience----focus on getting into an ICU. Remember, you have to get admitted to anesthesia school first---don't take it as a given that you will be admitted. Drugs used in anesthesia will have little to no significance in med surg, and even ICU. Unless you're giving anesthesia in the OR, you won't be around inhaled gases, many injectable drugs, etc. There is a BIG difference between working in an ICU and being a CRNA, not just pharmacology or biochem or cellular physiology. You have to know some pretty intense respiratory management, how different drugs affect the brain & vital organs, anesthesia plans in different disease processes----all this stuff will confuse you with the stuff you have to know to pass in nursing school and pass the NCLEX. Stop overstepping what your immediate focus should be on. You have several years before you will ever even have to think about applying to anesthesia school, and many "stepping stones" you'll need under your belt before you get there (ACLS, PALS, NALS, ventilator management, invasive line management & interpretation, disease management in the ICU, etc.). Not too many hospitals are hiring new grads into ICU's anymore----new grads have to put in their time on med surg units for a while before they can move into ICU. I think a 5 year plan before you apply to anesthesia school is a good idea.

Very true !

OP: First thing first, I have not been a SRNA yet, and I'm planning to apply to several programs by the end of this year. My suggestions for you right now are:

- Trying to get good grades in Nursing school first

- Focus on passing NCLEX

- Volunteer now

- Join any nursing associations, Student nursing association, be President of your nursing class

- Apply scholarship

- You can request to shadow a CRNA now ( but it;s gonna hard since you're not a RN yet- but I know some hospital will let ppl who are not RN to shadow)

After you pass NCLEX, you should:

- Take PALS/ACLS/EKG 12 Leads/Critical Care Classes

- Apply and get a job (Med-surg, Tele, or ICU- you don't necessarily need Med-Surg experience before going to ICU, although it helps tho.) in teaching hospital/ level I, II hospital. However, take any position at any hospital since it's very hard to get a job as a new grad.

- complete your BSN (if you're in ADN now)

- Shadow CRNA

Lets say you will start in ICU, work hard for two years at least to :

- Get a good recommendation letter from your manager

- Join in any committee...

- Charge Relief

- Take CCRN, ect...

- If you get any DAISY award, that'd be awesome

- Take Chem, Physic, and/or Advanced Pharm, physiology ( not a must) to be more competitive...

Never take no for the answer if you want to be whatever you wanna be !

fredb · Jun 27, 2016

My rationale is as follows, I understand that the CRNA program is very difficult, I figure I can make it an easier process by learning academic side of things now. The reality is one can teach themselves any subject, at a level of proficiency, within 3 to 4 years. I know this because I have done it with theology (philosophy generally) and with economic theory. That isn't to say I am a master at these subjects, but I have devoted 3 to 4 years of detailed study in each of these areas. As a result I have a very strong grasp of these fields. That is, I can speak with any Ph.D. in these areas and keep up with the conversation. In specific areas I can even add my own ideas. This comes with study, even self-study. If I am interested in a subject, I can pick it up in three years. I don't believe anesthesia is somehow harder to pick up than other subjects. Especially since this information is so abundant online. I am not trying to come off as being unappreciative with the advice that has been given. I am just a bit taken back. I have never seen multiple people discourage reading and the learning of a field of interest. I am not dedicating too much time to nursing at the moment, as it is very easy and most of it is simply the application of logic. I guess what I am trying to say is, I am not an average student. Perhaps this perspective will stimulate some other points of view.

Thank you,

- Fred

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · Jun 28, 2016

You're right, you can teach yourself these concepts but you were asking about anesthesia text books and that is a waste of time for someone in your shoes right now. You don't start reading about advanced topics before you read the basics. That is why buying these anesthesia texts are worthless to you. After teaching yourself advanced anatomy and advanced physiology then sure move onto advanced pathology. Once you get those 3 subjects down then you can move onto the anesthesia speciality where you will tie together everything you learned in A&P and pathology into anesthesia practice. Until you can fully understand the basic sciences, books like Miller's Anesthesia will be way over your head and will end up being very large and very expensive paper weights.

My rationale is as follows, I understand that the CRNA program is very difficult, I figure I can make it an easier process by learning academic side of things now. The reality is one can teach themselves any subject, at a level of proficiency, within 3 to 4 years. I know this because I have done it with theology (philosophy generally) and with economic theory. That isn't to say I am a master at these subjects, but I have devoted 3 to 4 years of detailed study in each of these areas. As a result I have a very strong grasp of these fields. That is, I can speak with any Ph.D. in these areas and keep up with the conversation. In specific areas I can even add my own ideas. This comes with study, even self-study. If I am interested in a subject, I can pick it up in three years. I don't believe anesthesia is somehow harder to pick up than other subjects. Especially since this information is so abundant online. I am not trying to come off as being unappreciative with the advice that has been given. I am just a bit taken back. I have never seen multiple people discourage reading and the learning of a field of interest. I am not dedicating too much time to nursing at the moment, as it is very easy and most of it is simply the application of logic. I guess what I am trying to say is, I am not an average student. Perhaps this perspective will stimulate some other points of view.
Thank you,
- Fred

CCRN_CSC_0710 · Jun 28, 2016

I'm the same way where I can teach myself almost anything. I am in school now and I just wanted to say I agree with an above poster though--teach yourself advanced anatomy, pharmacology, pathophysiology. They'll help a lot in the ICU, which is a requirement for all CRNA schools. I put a lot of effort into my CCRN, CSC, and CMC certifications. Anesthesia textbooks won't help in the ICU and you should try to be the best ICU nurse possible. Good luck, you'll do really well if you keep up the hard work.