Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

One conversation that I have had with my co-workers and boss which was certainly a debatable topic was the pay of a CNA. Certified Nursing Assistants duties and responsibilities are basically care for the elderly as they are not able to do it themselves. This includes many things that most individuals would never do. I believe that CNA’s should be paid just as much as a nurse or LVN, and not minimum pay as it is such a hard job. Its not the same as working at the mall as a sales associate or a fast food place, and most times these jobs tend to get paid more. My boss who is an RN, certainly disagreed with me as she paid so much for her education, and I honestly understand that because I am working towards my BSN, its beyond expensive. She made

The CRNA has deeper understanding of disease processes, pharmacological treatment and technological interventions when caring for patients. Advance practice comes with a high level of responsibility; furthermore, increased autonomy is why I aspire to advance my nursing practice. I want to be the nurse that eases my patient’s way through what may be the most stressful time in their life. During my anesthesia shadowing experience I witnessed the complexity and compassionate care that the CRNA provided safely and efficiently. Most importantly I observed clear communication that was vital to all involved in the care of the patient’s unique needs. My shadowing experience fueled my drive to continue to pursuing CRNA School and extend my knowledge at the

Throughout our culture, stigma against people with drug addiction is present. Instead of being treated as people with mental illnesses, drug addicts are simply regarded as criminals. Addicts are often so overwhelmed with shame that they don’t seek treatment. These are just a few examples of how stigma perpetuates our culture and how it is detrimental to those who are addicted. It is imperative that we destigmatize addiction by treating it as what it truly is- a mental illness and allowing addicts to be open about their addiction and treatment.

Over the years, substance abuse in the United States has become a persistent issue affecting many individuals. In 2008, it was estimated that 17.8 million Americans over the age of 18 where substance dependent (Epstein, Burns, & Conlon, 2010). Many of these individuals being affected are nurses. Ponech (2000) stated that "approximately 10% of the nursing population has alcohol or drug abuse problems, and 6% has problems serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice" (as cited in Talbert, 2009, p.17). Studies show that nurses have a 50% higher rate of substance abuse compared to the rest of the public (Epstein et al., 2010). Among the many factors that contribute to the nurse’s issue of substance abuse,

Certified registered nurse anesthetists are advanced practice nurses who are certified and specialized in the administration of anesthesia (“Position description,” 2014). CRNAs make their own independent decisions and judgments regarding the application of anesthesia, and, in most states, physician supervision of CRNAs is not required (“Legal issues,” 2010). The profession was introduced to the United States during the

With change comes evolution. Most professions, specifically nurse anesthetist, as we know them today did not begin in the state they are in today. They grew through trial and error. Before revealing the history of this profession and most important, its leading pioneer, one must be familiar with the role of a nurse anesthetist. Nurse anesthetists, often confused with anesthesiologists, are nurses with baccalaureate degrees in nursing and master degrees in anesthesia who are responsible for administering anesthetics to patients preoperational. Contrary, anesthesiologists are physicians whose education requires a baccalaureate degree as well as medical schooling with special education in anesthesia. However, the anesthesia part of the education is very similar for both providers (KANA. 2011).

According to the SAMHSA (2010) report on the national survey on drug use and health almost 22.5 million people are reported to be associated with substance abuse disorder (SAMHSA, 2010). This illness was found to be very common in all age groups, both sex, and seniors. There are several effects on these individuals and their families. Many people who suffer from substance abuse disorders fail to acknowledge these serious consequences. First of all, no response of pain relief can be seen with smaller doses of pain medications, as their bodies are used to high levels of various substances at the same time. Nurses become frustrated when they try to treat and help these patients with pain. Sometimes it is difficult to think about ethical principles when nurses have to deal with such patients with pain and suffering.

It is no secret that the United States is currently experiencing a shortage of nurses . “The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics ( 2009 ) estimated that more than one million new and replacement nurses will be needed by 2018 to meet the increased demands of the health care workforce” (). The stressful conditions under which nurses work, due in part to the nursing shortage, are among the risk factors that contribute to nurses’ abuse of illicit drugs and alcohol. Nurses are unique in that they work in an environment where they not only have access to controlled substances, but also are exposed to critically ill patients, traumatic situations, death and dying, the stress of which can increase the risk of substance abuse. (Epstein, Burns, & Conlon, 2010). Unfortunately, it is the patient that suffers the most.

Many people have turned to substance abuse or experience chemical dependency for a variety of reasons. Nurses experience chemical dependency as well. According to Kunyk (2013), “healthcare professionals, including nurses, are also potentially vulnerable to substance use disorders regardless of any special knowledge, skills or insights they might have owing to their education and professional experiences” (p. 54). This paper will define what chemical dependency is, report causes of chemical dependency in nurses, describe behaviors associated with chemical dependency, and explain what needs to be done upon reentry into the work place.

In the Certified Nurses Assistant or CNA services, you have to be trained. The training for being a CNA you need to have basic nursing principles and do clinical work while being supervised. You also have to be qualified to be one. You need to have your High School diploma or GED, nursing assistant training, which is about 6-12 weeks, basic training skills, Anatomy/physiology credit, and infection control.

CRNAs carry a cumbersomely hefty load of responsibility and are compensated accordingly. The reported average annual salary in 2012 was approximately $157,000 with more experienced CRNAs earning up to $214,000 each year. The prospects for finding a good job in this field are excellent for the future. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there is a consequential and growing desideratum for CRNAs across the country. More and more community hospitals are opting to employ a team of highly eligible CRNAs than a single, high-cost anesthesiologist. Projected job magnification for CRNAs between 2012-2022: 25% (more expeditious than the 19% magnification projected for RNs and the 11% average for all

Teenagers have enough stress as it is right? Adolescence is an awkward time of transition from childhood to adulthood which can be more than scary for most. Between spending time with family, making friends, doing homework, participating in sports or other recreational activities, and growing up in general, who has time to get a job? Although it can add to the stress of teenage life, getting a job has more pros than cons. My experience working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) at Morgantown Care and Rehabilitation Center has been a learning experience about responsibility, patience, and compassion.

“They sound great... Oh… Wait we can’t hire them”, my boss stated as she hands me a small pile of applications back. “Well, why not? They have the proper training and they’ve been a CNA for as long as I have. You know just as well as I do that we need all the help we can get. Especially, since I’m on the desk until my doctor releases me to work on the floor.” “I know we need the help but we already have one guy hired and we can’t hire another one. You would have to switch cares all the time because upstairs we have 5 women-only cares and at least 3 women-only cares down stairs. That would just be such a hassle if you girls are in the middle of cares with a resident and then we have to find cares you can switch with him…. It just wouldn’t be fair to you girls.”

In first talking about substance use, abuse and addiction as it relates to the Nursing profession it is necessary to understand the aspect of addiction. Drug use is a broad idea that refers to the use of any chemical substance rather legal or illegal. This topic includes prescription drugs, street drugs, herbal supplements, and the like. The term Drug abuse is defined as “the use of a substance or substances in such a way that it leads to measurable personal, interpersonal, or social consequences” (Faupel, C., E., Horowitz, A., M., & Weaver, G., S., 2010, p.20). Drug addiction is then regarded as “a compulsive use of chemicals (drugs or alcohol) and the inability to stop using them despite all the problems caused by their use” (National

As the years go by, the nursing field is expanding. Different types of nurses are being needed for a variety of jobs in the nursing field. This field of work is especially one of the most important because the world will always need nurses. Although the nursing field is very competitive to get into, the need for nurses increases rapidly as time goes on. A CRNA, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, is one of the most popular fields being practiced. A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is a step further than a Registered Nurse. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists are advanced nurses that specialize in anesthesia. CRNA’s provide anesthesia care for millions of patients in the United States of America. Anesthesia is a form of medicine that puts a person that is undergoing surgery to sleep while also numbing the pain. There are many steps in the process to becoming a CRNA, it is a very serious field, therefore it requires more experience and training.