Preparing for casual shadowing

[NinerGator]

Hello everyone,

I'm in the second semester of my local ADN program and i've stumbled upon a very exciting opportunity. After learning of my passion for nurse anesthesia, my clinical instructor has arranged for me to shadow a CRNA in replacement of one of my clinical days. All I know of the CRNA field up to this point has come from reading forums such as these so I couldn't be happier to experience a typical day first hand.

Being that i've just recently begun my path of nursing, my knowledge of OR mechanics and medicines are very limited. I'm sure the CRNA that I will be paired with will be understanding of this matter, but I would still like to represent myself, my school, and the instructor that vouched for me to have this opportunity to the best of my ability. If any of you have any recommendations for shadowing do's and don'ts, OR etiquette, and any general information regarding the science of anesthesia that I could research to be best prepared, I would sincerely appreciate your advice.

Thank you in advance for your time and your replies.

NG

[premaseeker]

write down, or at least thing of some questions before you shadow...ask about how he/she (the CRNA) is thinking in terms of drug choices, management of airway, preparation for specific surgery, unique patient factors that need consideration, etc

[Refmedic]

Don't touch anything blue.

[Teillard]

Hello everyone,

I'm in the second semester of my local ADN program and i've stumbled upon a very exciting opportunity. After learning of my passion for nurse anesthesia, my clinical instructor has arranged for me to shadow a CRNA in replacement of one of my clinical days. All I know of the CRNA field up to this point has come from reading forums such as these so I couldn't be happier to experience a typical day first hand.

Being that i've just recently begun my path of nursing, my knowledge of OR mechanics and medicines are very limited. I'm sure the CRNA that I will be paired with will be understanding of this matter, but I would still like to represent myself, my school, and the instructor that vouched for me to have this opportunity to the best of my ability. If any of you have any recommendations for shadowing do's and don'ts, OR etiquette, and any general information regarding the science of anesthesia that I could research to be best prepared, I would sincerely appreciate your advice.

Thank you in advance for your time and your replies.

NG

I'm just really impressed by your ADN instructor plugging you in to an opportunity like this. My experience has been those types actually shielding students from anesthesia for fear of losing a potential nurse for the ward. Good for him/her! Just stick by your CRNA like glue, and when you speak in the OR, make it a question or an answer.

[ABCRn]

Make sure to write a nice thank you note afterward! Also sending you a PM....

[River]

That's sweet. My clinical instructor sent me to the OR and when the clinical coordinator found out she flipped. I specifically remember her saying: "The OR is not a critical-care area!" and feeling so confused... Later when she "explained" ABGs to us I realized the episode fell under the category "bless her HEART."