Blog Comments

Agree with TSB!

Congrats on all the changes. I can't thank you enough for how this website has made a difference in my professional career and how knowing you has made me strive to be a better anesthesia provider. Best wishes and can't wait to join you in putting CRNA behind my name in just a few short months!

Tara

Funny, I was re-reading my blog the other day and amazed at the changes - going from wondering if I would get back in, to restarting a program, to repeating a class (resulting in me being 8 months further away from graduation), to being in clinicals. I'm glad there is a light at the end of the tunnel, but damn, this is one loooooong tunnel. :/

Congrats on all the recent positives in your life, Mikey!

I think I know who this is ....friggin hilarious...

I think that the future of Anesthesia will depend more on politics than anything else. CRNAs in many states are fighting for their right to practice against groups backed by the MDAs who are trying to chip away at our ability to practice. In Alabama today the Board of Medicine is hearing arguments about whether interventional regional pain management is solely in the realm of physicians' responsibility. If this decisions goes poorly, CRNAs may lose the ability to do epidural steriod injections, epidural blood patches and possibly even labor epidurals. Over one third of the small hospitals in Alabama do not have and anesthesiologist. Physician groups often have better political connections than CRNA groups. This can lead to the physicians dictating to us by State Statute what our job description is. I urge everyone to personally meet their State Representatives and get involved in State politics. Remember that State Legislatures approve the Nurse Practice Act for your state.

An interesting read. One thing to remember is that everyone is suffering these days. My brother in law is a smart kid, just graduated from an ADN program here in Jacksonville, passed boards 3 months ago and just got his first interview--for a home health company. He wants to work in a hospital, and even though there are 5 in town, there are very few jobs out there now for new nurses.

As a side note, I was laughing at your use of "bolus". Funny how our medical terms seep into everyday talk. Yesterday I was telling someone how I need to start "titrating down my fun level" before I go to work so I'm not at risk for "fun shock".

A COMPARISON OF DIALOGUE AND DEBATE


Dialogue is collaborative: two or more sides work together toward common understanding.
Debate is oppositional: two sides oppose each other and attempt to prove each other wrong.


In dialogue, finding common ground is the goal.
In debate, winning is the goal.


In dialogue, one listens to the other side(s) in order to understand, find meaning, and find agreement.
In debate, one listens to the other side in order to find flaws and to counter its arguments.


Dialogue enlarges and possibly changes a participant's point of view.
Debate affirms a participant's own point of view.


Dialogue reveals assumptions for reevaluation.
Debate defends assumptions as truth.


Dialogue causes introspection on one's own position.
Debate causes critique of the other position.


Dialogue opens the possibility of reaching a better solution than any of the original solutions.
Debate defends one's own positions as the best solution and excludes other solutions.


Dialogue creates an open-minded attitude: an openness to being wrong and an openness to change.
Debate creates a closed-minded attitude, a determination to be right.


In dialogue, one submits one's best thinking, knowing that other peoples' reflections will help improve it rather than destroy it.
In debate, one submit's one's best thinking and defends it against challenge to show that it is right.


Dialogue calls for temporarily suspending one's beliefs.
Debate calls for investing wholeheartedly in one's beliefs.


In dialogue, one searches for basic agreements.
In debate, one searches for glaring differences.


In dialogue, one searches for strengths in the other positions.
In debate, one searches for flaws and weaknesses in the other position.


Dialogue involves a real concern for the other person and seeks to not alienate or offend.
Debate involves a countering of the other position without focusing on feelings or relationship and often belittles or deprecates the other person.


Dialogue assumes that many people have pieces of the answer and that together they can put them into a workable solution.
Debate assumes that there is a right answer and that someone has it.


Dialogue remains open-ended.
Debate implies a conclusion.

Source: [URL="http://www.globallearningnj.org/global_ata/a_comparison_of_dialogue_and_debate.htm"]Global Learning[/URL]

Stephgor,

I had a feeling that the supply would soon out-weigh the demand at one point or another. The profession as it has been known, was a best-kept secret, but it's greatly gained popularity and continues to be one of the most sought after specialty in nursing today. I think we can all agree that what draws us all initially to the specialty, is the salary. Aside from the monetary reward of the profession, I believe that the knowledge base obtained in the education track is tremendous. There is a higher level of autonomy and a greater sense of respect from other healthcare professionals, namely physicians when practicing as an anesthesia nurse.

As I mentioned previously, this is definitely the path I wish to travel with my only regret being that I waited so long to initiate the journey... everything happens for a reason though. There's no telling when this economy will turn around, but there's one thing for sure; there will always be a need.

My group just took a 30% cut in pay and let one crna go. And I see salaries continue to fall as there are too many students coming out every year. Not many jobs here in NC. I can see us getting to 100k here shortly. Plus the crna's in my group that are in their 60's are not retiring due to economics.

Mike,

What about the number of CRNA programs? The number of programs have certainly increased, but not all will be offering the doctorate level option, so will some program be going away so to speak? (In your opinion...)

Personally, I have no doubt that this is the path I wish to travel... my only regret is not having chose it earlier in life. I love the practice of nursing and all the options it affords you, but when you see that being a provider of anesthesia can come from nursing, the doors are further opened.

As I continue the search for my first job out of school I sure hope you are right

Mike, I love your enthusiasm!

ahhh... sleepwaker - you've come a long way. Remember things will continue to change if you continue to challenge the basic pharmacologically, physiologically for the things you do. Many students come to our clinical practice with preconceived notions... I love busting those ideas wide open. Studies show that many practicing healthcare providers continue to practice in the exact same manner as they day they graduated!!! Great to see you drag yourself out of that insanity.

Mike,

After this MBA with an emphasis in finance, I am fixing for an EdD in organizational development. Seems great for education for PD, etc.

time for an e-book! we admire you and your pearls of wisdom would be invaluable to us "wannabes" attempting to follow in your large footsteps...

set small goals! It will get yah through all the crap!

heehheeeh

Awesome, keep pushing forward and asking 'why'

Congratz on the RN!!

Give yourself time to get experience as an RN before you apply to anesthesia school. Regardless of the BS bantering you see here by ppl without experience to know the difference, my grp wont hire CRNAs with less than 5 years high acuity RN experience. It was not my idea, this is how it was before i got there.

Why?

Because over 5 years they have found these individuals cannot work independently, constantly need help and simply cannot do the job without someone always having to back them up.

If you are interested in indy practice get alot more than one year RN experience. Take it from me, ppl with one year are totally clueless RNs in comparison to where they are are 2,3,4 and 5. They all balk at that here, but the reality is "they dont know what they dont know" and it is highly likely would never be able to function in a CRNA practice but require help all the time.

get er done!