2 answers
Gannon
Student
Desert Hot Springs, California
3
Questions
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What are three important things I should know about being a Nurse Anesthetist?
(e.g. working conditions, typical schedule, rewards, and challenges including those for people new to the job) #nurse #medicine #healthcare
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2 answers
Shannon Kelley
various roles
49
Answers
Cranston, Rhode Island
Updated
Shannon’s Answer
the person providing anesthesia is vital to the patient's survival. that person can be a NA or MD or a PA. not only is that person responsible for giving the right dose of knock-out juice and watching for side effects, but they're also responsible for the patient's airway. if a patient stops breathing for any reason, or is breathing very shallow or slowly, s/he has only 4-6 minutes before brain damage starts happening. that's why this field opened up. the surgeon has to concentrate on the heart or liver or whatever, and the person doing anesthesia pays attention to only sedation & airway/pulse/respiration. there is a lot that can go wrong in these areas. a mistake in the sedation meds can easily kill someone or give them brain damage, among other issues.
so this professional has to deeply understand human anatomy, physiology (how the body parts work), the functions of the medications & how they act together; and chemistry. lots of chemistry. they need to have superior manual dexterity to insert & keep the breathing tube in the right place. they have to work well with the whole OR staff, ICU staff and surgical floor staff. they have to keep learning new techniques & meds as health care advances. they have to tailor their activities to each patient's individual situation. they explain their activities to the patient & family in detail before the surgery, so they have to be able to speak in a way each patient can understand. they must remain calm when the patient is doing poorly and act quickly/decisively to fix problems. it's a high stress role that demands constant vigilance during short and long operations.
people who aspire to this role should take as many chemistry and related courses as they can in high school & undergrad. they should work on developing their ability to make quick decisions & remember millions of facts quickly. during undergrad a student would be wise to read the requirements of different anesthesia schools in order to choose the right college courses and the right MD/NA/PA program.
so this professional has to deeply understand human anatomy, physiology (how the body parts work), the functions of the medications & how they act together; and chemistry. lots of chemistry. they need to have superior manual dexterity to insert & keep the breathing tube in the right place. they have to work well with the whole OR staff, ICU staff and surgical floor staff. they have to keep learning new techniques & meds as health care advances. they have to tailor their activities to each patient's individual situation. they explain their activities to the patient & family in detail before the surgery, so they have to be able to speak in a way each patient can understand. they must remain calm when the patient is doing poorly and act quickly/decisively to fix problems. it's a high stress role that demands constant vigilance during short and long operations.
people who aspire to this role should take as many chemistry and related courses as they can in high school & undergrad. they should work on developing their ability to make quick decisions & remember millions of facts quickly. during undergrad a student would be wise to read the requirements of different anesthesia schools in order to choose the right college courses and the right MD/NA/PA program.
Marini Jones, M.B.A.
Medicare Pharmacy Supervisor
24
Answers
Updated
Marini’s Answer
Hello Gannon. Here are 3 important things:
1. Nurse Anesthetists have close physical contact with patients. There is potential exposure to infections and diseases. They will always wear some form of protective/safety gear which includes scrubs, latex gloves and surgical masks.
2. Nurse Anesthetists may not have a set work schedule. Work may be part time or full time. They may be required to work early mornings, late nights, weekends, or be on call. Many CRNA's work more than 40 hours per week. Work hours is dependent upon the practice and working setting.
3. Nurse Anesthetists helps people by caring for patients before, during and after surgeries. They help keep patients as comfortable as possible. Nurse Anesthetists are a vital part of the surgical team.
I hope you find this helpful.
1. Nurse Anesthetists have close physical contact with patients. There is potential exposure to infections and diseases. They will always wear some form of protective/safety gear which includes scrubs, latex gloves and surgical masks.
2. Nurse Anesthetists may not have a set work schedule. Work may be part time or full time. They may be required to work early mornings, late nights, weekends, or be on call. Many CRNA's work more than 40 hours per week. Work hours is dependent upon the practice and working setting.
3. Nurse Anesthetists helps people by caring for patients before, during and after surgeries. They help keep patients as comfortable as possible. Nurse Anesthetists are a vital part of the surgical team.
I hope you find this helpful.