I’m a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and I’ll Be Giving You Your Anesthesia Today
Jan 25, 2010
By Jim Walker, CRNA, DNP, President, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists
After 16 years as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), I’m still caught off guard whenever a patient or colleague says to me, “I didn’t know nurses can give anesthesia. Is that something new?” But I’ve come to recognize these awkward moments as golden opportunities to educate the public about the important contributions of nurse anesthetists.
There are probably a lot of reasons why many people, even some in health care, don’t have a good handle on nurse anesthetists. It’s certainly not for lack of trying to spread the word by the nation’s 40,000+ CRNAs and student nurse anesthetists, as well as the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists. More likely it has to do with the fact that much of our quality time with our patients is spent preparing them for their procedure—while they are asleep or semi-conscious—and while they’re recovering from the procedure. Sometimes the message “I’m a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and I’ll be giving you your anesthesia today” registers, and sometimes patients are just too distracted to care. However, what patients do care about is that we will keep them safe, comfortable, and pain-free, and that we will stay with them throughout their procedure. That message always resonates.
Another reason many people aren’t clear about the role of nurse anesthetists is the misperception that giving anesthesia is the province of physicians. Actually, nurse anesthetists were the first anesthesia professionals, dating back to the Civil War. Today we are the hands-on providers of more than 32 million anesthetics each year, providing anesthesia in every setting and for every type of case in which anesthesia is required. The operative word here (no pun intended) is “hands-on”; more often than not it’s a CRNA who actually delivers the anesthesia and stays with and monitors the patient. We (CRNAs) are great at what we do because we do a lot of it.
We have the incredible responsibility of providing vigilant one-to-one patient care daily and protecting and advocating for patients during their most vulnerable moments… and after which, we make sure they are delivered safely into the capable hands of other health care professionals in the recovery room. It is making this daily "routine" patient-centered that makes being a CRNA so intensely satisfying on a personal and professional level.
During the week of January 24-30, nurse anesthetists across the country will celebrate their profession and anesthesia patient safety during the 11th annual National Nurse Anesthetists Week. You can learn more about us at www.aana.com.
Comments
Very well stated, Mr Walker. Thank you.
It's Dr. Walker - DNP.
How true your words are. What I still find amazing is how many RNs still do not know what CRNAs are, what we do, or that we actually provide anesthesia services independently, without anesthesiologists, in every state in the US.
Well stated, President Walker. As a long time CRNA with varied practice experience, it is amazing to me the gratitude offered to the person who "is in it for the whole time". Nurse Anesthetists are conscientious, compassionate and highly qualified anesthesia care providers, mostly because we are Nurses first, last and always.
I agree with Dr. Walker about the countless awkward encounters that are golden opportunities to educate health care providers, patients, and friends about nurse anesthesia. I have found that the most effective way for me to deliver this point is to introduce myself to the patient by identifiying myself as an "advanced practice nurse in anesthesia", who will be delivering their anesthesia. I find that this true statement delineates my practice level from the multitude of nurses that the patient encounters in the preoperative arena and serves to educate the patient about who is delivering their anesthesia. Acknolwedging my practice as advanced has the same impact on informing colleagues and friends alike.
As a nurse practitioner and the recipient of CRNA-administered anesthesia for two unanticipated C-sections, it's no exaggeration to say that my heart rate returned to normal when the masked individual at the head of my OR table introducued themselves as a CRNA!
We are vigilant and we are very VERY skilled.
He is not a doctor. He is a nurse.
No, he is a doctor, just not a medical doctor. I keep hearing so many of this rediculous, petty arguments between nurses with advanced degrees and doctors from various fields. I find it so silly that the nurses even argue about the issue, neither side will win when it comes to an argument like this. To me, it seems as if the nurses feel insecure and defensive when they argue. They don't have to argue, they just need to have pride and confidence in the value they bring to the medical field. Doctors are also insecure, always feeling like someone is going to take of with their share of the "glory", whey their only concern should be the benefit to the patient-shame on them. And sin[c]e a doctor can't possibly provide ALL the care a patient will ever need, they should welcome other skilled, educated and dedicated professionals to work by their side. No one, especially not a doctor, could ever take away the pride and dedication I feel for all areas of the nursing field, or the confidence I have in my talent and my ability to constantly be learning and advancing my talent. I simply smile and nod, giving them my "you poor misguided soul" look, and simply go about my business of being an AWESOME nurse (soon to be SRNA)!
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