CRNA Stress factors? Pangolin, are you out there?
May 18th, 2009 | by Anthony |ZO asked:
I’m considering CRNA school and wonder what are the biggest stress factors:
1) Job Itself?
2) Coworkers?
3) Dealing with physicians (Surgery or Anesthesiologist)?
4) Management?
ANNMARIE
2 Responses to “CRNA Stress factors? Pangolin, are you out there?”
By hummingbird on May 20, 2009 | Reply
I asked the CRNA I am related to what was one of the worst things with their job. They replied that harvesting the organs of a clinically dead person was very difficult for them. They are responsible for keeping the person artificially “alive” as the doctors harvest the donor organs, eyes, etc. Then the patient is pronounced dead and I assume the CRNA turns the machines off. Not sure of the exact procedure but that is more or less what they said. I admire any CRNA who has to do that kind of work ! I sure couldn’t do it.
Please do not think I am trying to talk you out of becoming a CRNA. Just make sure you know what all a CRNA’s job is.
By Pangolin on May 20, 2009 | Reply
Being a CRNA is stressful, I’d imagine. You should always have an anesthesiologist for backup, though, so that might relieve some of the stress. You have the added stress of trying to know what each of us likes and doesn’t like! (I’m not big on Isoflurane, and the CRNAs who work with me know that and humor me :D)
The job can be plenty stressful. Once you have a few years of experience, it gets better.
Coworkers? Depends on where you end up working.
Surgeons… a very big YES. They stress us all. Part of the job is not taking it personally, and doing the best you can for the surgeon without harming the patient.
Management, not so much.
It’s a fairly big investment of time and money, unless you can find a hospital willing to foot the bill for your training if you promise to work for them. It’s competitive to get into, as well.
During your year or more of ICU experience (if you’re not already there), you’ll have plenty of exposure to surgeons and patients trying to die (which I think are the 2 biggest stresses). You’ll see a lot of the drugs, know a bit about airway and vent management, and monitoring.
If you think you’re pretty sharp (intellectually and skills-wise), then go for it. The students I talk with seem to think that school is more sterssful than woking after graduation is.
Good luck!