2 answers
Yesica
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
2
Questions
Updated
174 views
Day in the life of a CRNA?
What do CRNAs do daily?
Can CRNAs travel, somewhat like travel nurses?
What does a day in the life of a CRNA typically look like?
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2 answers
Alex Morgan
Nurse Anesthesiologist
9
Answers
Blackfoot, Idaho
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Hello Yesica! That is awesome that you are interested in becoming a CRNA! I absolutely love being a CRNA! A typical day as a CRNA can vary depending on where you work. I work in a CRNA independent group that supplies anesthesia services to a rural community hospital. A typical day for me starts at around 6:20 am getting the operating room ready that I will be working in. I check my anesthesia machine, prepare my drugs, and then go and see my first patient. Surgery starts at 7. Then depending on how busy the day is will determine how long I work that day. Some days I am done in the late morning/early afternoon and other days I am working until 6-7pm. On average I would say I work until 2-3pm. It varies everyday for me but you can work in some anesthesia groups where you have set hours. Depending on what type of surgery I am doing each day (we have surgeons that do orthopedics, podiatry, spine, urology, ENT, Gynocology, endoscopy, and General) i do a sedation, general anesthesia, and regional anesthesia. We do spinals and nerve blocks. We also do epidurals for laboring mothers.
Our group rotates the call schedule so I am on call 1 in every 8 weekends and about 1 in every 8 week days. The day after I am on call I often have that day off. It is a very rewarding career that I would highly recommend! There are so many opportunities and options to choose from. You can do what is called Locums positions which are temporary positions similar to travel nursing. You can work in big hospitals and do big surgeries like open heart surgery and big trauma cases. Or you can even work in a dentist office and do simple sedation for them. Or anything in between! Hope this helps and good luck!
Our group rotates the call schedule so I am on call 1 in every 8 weekends and about 1 in every 8 week days. The day after I am on call I often have that day off. It is a very rewarding career that I would highly recommend! There are so many opportunities and options to choose from. You can do what is called Locums positions which are temporary positions similar to travel nursing. You can work in big hospitals and do big surgeries like open heart surgery and big trauma cases. Or you can even work in a dentist office and do simple sedation for them. Or anything in between! Hope this helps and good luck!
Maria Ledbetter
Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
1
Answer
Nashville, Tennessee
Updated
Maria’s Answer
Hi Yesica,
First, I have never met a CRNA who regretted choosing this career. I have been a CRNA since 1997 and have worked in various settings. Your day will vary depending on the practice model and the type of facility where you work. Additionally, your facility and state regulations may influence your practice. These are all factors to learn about later, so keep them on your radar.
Most CRNAs can administer general and regional anesthesia and perform nerve blocks. In a hospital setting, you may have various shifts to choose from or a rotation schedule. Many of us arrive at work around 6 or 6:30 am and work until 3 pm or until all cases are completed. There are also options for 10- or 12-hour shifts. Some institutions may offer longer shifts for specialty areas, such as obstetric anesthesia.
You begin your day by checking your equipment, medications, and cases, along with the physicians you will collaborate with that day. Next, you meet with your patient to discuss their medical history and review their medications and previous procedures. You also assess their current lab values and other preoperative tests to ensure there are no conflicting reasons to postpone or cancel their procedure. If you work under a medical direction and supervision model, you will discuss the anesthetic plan of care with your attending anesthesiologist.
Once the plan is formed, you prepare for the anesthetic and proceed with vigilant care. You may have a patient under general anesthetic, or they might undergo their procedure with a regional anesthetic. For example, you could have a patient with an epidural or spinal as the primary anesthetic. Depending on your anesthesia group's policies and your institution's regulations, you may or may not be permitted to perform the spinal or epidural. If you have a patient receiving a general anesthetic, you will likely select the medications to render the patient unconscious and relaxed, then intubate them (insert the breathing tube). Once this is complete, you will utilize a mixture of intravenous medications and often anesthetic gas to maintain the patient's unconscious state throughout the procedure. After the surgeon is finished with the procedure, you administer medications and carefully discontinue the drugs and gases that have kept them unconscious and relaxed (we call it reversal and emergence). At the end of the case, you assess whether they are awake and alert and can maintain their airway and whether their hemodynamics (vital signs) are adequate to transfer them to the anesthesia recovery room, commonly known as the PACU.
You might perform various procedures and use multiple anesthetics in a day. You may specialize as a pediatric, cardiovascular, transplant, obstetric, or other specialty CRNA. While you will encounter all the different anesthesia specialties in school, CRNAs often gravitate towards a specific type of anesthesia based on the patient's age or the procedure category.
Yes, many CRNAs travel and are well-rewarded for doing so. The demand for CRNAs is growing daily. Travel positions are always posted on various platforms and within the AANA website. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is an excellent resource for anyone seeking information about jobs, salaries, schools, and more. It offers specific student guidance, which I encourage you to explore. Additionally, there are podcasts dedicated to CRNAs and our practice, which you might find interesting.
If you are considering anesthesia, you must first become an RN with a bachelor's degree. After that, you will need to work in a critical care unit. It may also be beneficial to shadow a CRNA a few times to understand our profession better. Often, to shadow, there is paperwork to complete due to institutional policies and HIPAA regulations if you are not already an institution employee.
Some federal and state grants are often available to help cover school costs. Begin exploring these options if you are serious about applying to a program. You may even find anesthesia groups who will reimburse you for part of the costs you incur during school or offer a bonus once you complete the program and earn your certification if you agree to sign a contract to work with them for a specific period (often 3-4 years).
I must emphasize that anesthesia programs are highly competitive, so working hard to achieve good grades is crucial! Many institutions and schools require background checks to progress through their facilities or programs. If you wish to pursue this career, making wise choices and avoiding complicating your journey is essential. We serve the public and must exercise good judgment, both professionally and socially.
Good luck! I hope you choose this career; you will not regret it.
First, I have never met a CRNA who regretted choosing this career. I have been a CRNA since 1997 and have worked in various settings. Your day will vary depending on the practice model and the type of facility where you work. Additionally, your facility and state regulations may influence your practice. These are all factors to learn about later, so keep them on your radar.
Most CRNAs can administer general and regional anesthesia and perform nerve blocks. In a hospital setting, you may have various shifts to choose from or a rotation schedule. Many of us arrive at work around 6 or 6:30 am and work until 3 pm or until all cases are completed. There are also options for 10- or 12-hour shifts. Some institutions may offer longer shifts for specialty areas, such as obstetric anesthesia.
You begin your day by checking your equipment, medications, and cases, along with the physicians you will collaborate with that day. Next, you meet with your patient to discuss their medical history and review their medications and previous procedures. You also assess their current lab values and other preoperative tests to ensure there are no conflicting reasons to postpone or cancel their procedure. If you work under a medical direction and supervision model, you will discuss the anesthetic plan of care with your attending anesthesiologist.
Once the plan is formed, you prepare for the anesthetic and proceed with vigilant care. You may have a patient under general anesthetic, or they might undergo their procedure with a regional anesthetic. For example, you could have a patient with an epidural or spinal as the primary anesthetic. Depending on your anesthesia group's policies and your institution's regulations, you may or may not be permitted to perform the spinal or epidural. If you have a patient receiving a general anesthetic, you will likely select the medications to render the patient unconscious and relaxed, then intubate them (insert the breathing tube). Once this is complete, you will utilize a mixture of intravenous medications and often anesthetic gas to maintain the patient's unconscious state throughout the procedure. After the surgeon is finished with the procedure, you administer medications and carefully discontinue the drugs and gases that have kept them unconscious and relaxed (we call it reversal and emergence). At the end of the case, you assess whether they are awake and alert and can maintain their airway and whether their hemodynamics (vital signs) are adequate to transfer them to the anesthesia recovery room, commonly known as the PACU.
You might perform various procedures and use multiple anesthetics in a day. You may specialize as a pediatric, cardiovascular, transplant, obstetric, or other specialty CRNA. While you will encounter all the different anesthesia specialties in school, CRNAs often gravitate towards a specific type of anesthesia based on the patient's age or the procedure category.
Yes, many CRNAs travel and are well-rewarded for doing so. The demand for CRNAs is growing daily. Travel positions are always posted on various platforms and within the AANA website. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists (AANA) is an excellent resource for anyone seeking information about jobs, salaries, schools, and more. It offers specific student guidance, which I encourage you to explore. Additionally, there are podcasts dedicated to CRNAs and our practice, which you might find interesting.
If you are considering anesthesia, you must first become an RN with a bachelor's degree. After that, you will need to work in a critical care unit. It may also be beneficial to shadow a CRNA a few times to understand our profession better. Often, to shadow, there is paperwork to complete due to institutional policies and HIPAA regulations if you are not already an institution employee.
Some federal and state grants are often available to help cover school costs. Begin exploring these options if you are serious about applying to a program. You may even find anesthesia groups who will reimburse you for part of the costs you incur during school or offer a bonus once you complete the program and earn your certification if you agree to sign a contract to work with them for a specific period (often 3-4 years).
I must emphasize that anesthesia programs are highly competitive, so working hard to achieve good grades is crucial! Many institutions and schools require background checks to progress through their facilities or programs. If you wish to pursue this career, making wise choices and avoiding complicating your journey is essential. We serve the public and must exercise good judgment, both professionally and socially.
Good luck! I hope you choose this career; you will not regret it.