Name: Interviewee wanted to stay anonymous

Position: Nurse Anesthetist at Bon Secours DePaul Medical Center 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Registered Nurse, and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

What inspired him/her to get into that field?

He was inspired by his mother who also worked in the health field. When he was in high school, he would shadow health professionals which grew his interest in the medical field. While shadowing, he would see patients who were in unfortunate situations and he felt as if it was his duty to help them. This feeling urged and inspired him to go into the medical field, so he became a nurse anesthetist because it is a job that can be done independently and when compared to doctors who go to medical school, it does not require so many years of education.

What was his/her path to his/her current job?

After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Nursing degree, he went on to become a registered nurse. He worked as an RN for about two years when he applied for a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program. He worked as nurse anesthetist in Richmond until moving to Hampton, Virginia where he started working at DePaul Medical Center.

Basic roles and responsibilities

In the beginning of the day, the nurse anesthetist makes sure that all the equipment is ready in the operation room (OR). He checks the anesthesia machine, the airway equipment, and sanitizes the room to prepare for the incoming patient. He then goes and meets the patient and performs some preoperative tests to make sure the patient is ready for the surgery. Once the patient is in the OR, he puts them under anesthesia and monitors their vital signs. Depending on the situation, he would give the patient medications and makes sure they feel comfortable. After the surgery, he takes the patients to the post-operation room and looks at their vital signs and makes sure everything is in order. He also makes sure that all the equipment is in stock. He is responsible for ordering equipment once they run out.

His/her favorite (or most rewarding) aspect about the job

His favorite part about the job is being able to meet new people every day and interact with them. The patients he meets all have their own unique stories. Being able to help them and comfort them at their time of need is the most rewarding aspect about his job.

What is the most surprising aspect of their career?

Before he became a nurse anesthetist, he expected the job to be very stressful and hectic. But he was surprised to see that his position is not as challenging as other nurses or doctors. He was surprised to see how much free time he has and how he can work independently with little to no supervision. 

What is the most challenging aspect of their career?

The most challenging aspect of their career is a fear of failure, especially since the potential repercussions can affect more than just him. This means that it is especially important to be a knowledgeable and experienced in the profession and ensure all rules and guidelines are being followed. 

Advice he/she would give to someone getting into the health field

You do not need to know everything beforehand in order to be successful. While it is important to study in class and gain as much experience in as possible in your intended field of study, it is also important to recognize the resources that are available to you and how to use them efficiently. A big part of the health field is teamwork and understanding that you do not have to go through it all/ that you won’t always succeed the first time, which is why you shouldn’t give up.