Retry Anesthesia

[DrFish]

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I did an anesthesiology rotation locally earlier this year to test it out. Much to my dismay, and contrary to previous rotations at that site, it was not good. There is a catch though....the site had a CRNA school and most, if not all, of the cases were run by SRNAs. Hence most, if not all, of the teaching was done by CRNAs/SRNAs. There was very little contact with the attendings and the two residents that were rotating in that month. Both the residents did not seem to enjoy their month there, but still enjoyed their specialty.

Needless to say it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth as far as Anesthesia and especially CRNAs go. However, talking to some classmates, they seemed to have better experiences. Part of me wonders if I would have enjoyed it more in a better environment makes me wonder if I should give Gas another shot elsewhere. I do worry about "wasting" an important Aug, Sept rotation to find out. I am currently leaning toward/scheduling for another specialty I also like.

Thoughts/Opinons?

 

[proman]

I did an anesthesiology rotation locally earlier this year to test it out. Much to my dismay, and contrary to previous rotations at that site, it was not good. There is a catch though....the site had a CRNA school and most, if not all, of the cases were run by SRNAs. Hence most, if not all, of the teaching was done by CRNAs/SRNAs. There was very little contact with the attendings and the two residents that were rotating in that month. Both the residents did not seem to enjoy their month there, but still enjoyed their specialty.

Needless to say it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth as far as Anesthesia and especially CRNAs go. However, talking to some classmates, they seemed to have better experiences. Part of me wonders if I would have enjoyed it more in a better environment makes me wonder if I should give Gas another shot elsewhere. I do worry about "wasting" an important Aug, Sept rotation to find out. I am currently leaning toward/scheduling for another specialty I also like.

Thoughts/Opinons?

If you're still considering the field, do a month at a teaching facility. You're making one of the most important decisions of your life, it's definitely worth another month.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

I did my first rotation as an M3 at a site that taught SRNAs.

Had the total opposite experience from you.

Actively engaging attending, CRNA crew that also liked to have students do stuff (not just the SRNA). I also lucked out in that there was only 1 SRNA student on the rotation my month, and he was finishing up and allowed me to do many of the cases (I was not allowed to do peds cases or difficult airway patients, which I was cool with).

My attending and I had one on one didactics in his office. He was there for every intubation I had done on a patient. I initially struggled, and he had me practice on a mannequin. I also did as many pre-op evals as possible to help speed up things for the attending/CRNAs/SRNA.

Another thing, I came early and stayed late. That netted me extra cases, as the SRNA would leave at an earlier time. I was enthusiastic and the CRNAs (who ended up staying late too, as my attending would leave ~ 2-4pm) noticed this and allowed me to intubate and extubate, push IV drugs, did whatever teaching they could do, too.

So, I will say that don't let that one bad experience ruin it for you. I've never really came across militant CRNAs/jerk SRNAs, but it'll happen. Same with apathetic attendings, and great attendings. Definitely try one out at a place that has an anesthesiology residency training program. If you still don't like it, then it's fine. You'll find more engaging attendings, residents, etc who'll allow you to do some stuff and will teach you. That's the best part, the teaching you get. Anyone can put in a tube, and it's not that important at the stage you're in. Best of luck!

 

[CambieMD]

I did my first rotation as an M3 at a site that taught SRNAs.

Had the total opposite experience from you.

Actively engaging attending, CRNA crew that also liked to have students do stuff (not just the SRNA). I also lucked out in that there was only 1 SRNA student on the rotation my month, and he was finishing up and allowed me to do many of the cases (I was not allowed to do peds cases or difficult airway patients, which I was cool with).

My attending and I had one on one didactics in his office. He was there for every intubation I had done on a patient. I initially struggled, and he had me practice on a mannequin. I also did as many pre-op evals as possible to help speed up things for the attending/CRNAs/SRNA.

Another thing, I came early and stayed late. That netted me extra cases, as the SRNA would leave at an earlier time. I was enthusiastic and the CRNAs (who ended up staying late too, as my attending would leave ~ 2-4pm) noticed this and allowed me to intubate and extubate, push IV drugs, did whatever teaching they could do, too.

So, I will say that don't let that one bad experience ruin it for you. I've never really came across militant CRNAs/jerk SRNAs, but it'll happen. Same with apathetic attendings, and great attendings. Definitely try one out at a place that has an anesthesiology residency training program. If you still don't like it, then it's fine. You'll find more engaging attendings, residents, etc who'll allow you to do some stuff and will teach you. That's the best part, the teaching you get. Anyone can put in a tube, and it's not that important at the stage you're in. Best of luck!

I agree with above. Try your hand at another gas rotation. It sounds like your initial gas rotation was not the best set up for medical students.


Cambie

 

[cfdavid]

I did an anesthesiology rotation locally earlier this year to test it out. Much to my dismay, and contrary to previous rotations at that site, it was not good. There is a catch though....the site had a CRNA school and most, if not all, of the cases were run by SRNAs. Hence most, if not all, of the teaching was done by CRNAs/SRNAs. There was very little contact with the attendings and the two residents that were rotating in that month. Both the residents did not seem to enjoy their month there, but still enjoyed their specialty.

Needless to say it kind of left a bad taste in my mouth as far as Anesthesia and especially CRNAs go. However, talking to some classmates, they seemed to have better experiences. Part of me wonders if I would have enjoyed it more in a better environment makes me wonder if I should give Gas another shot elsewhere. I do worry about "wasting" an important Aug, Sept rotation to find out. I am currently leaning toward/scheduling for another specialty I also like.

Thoughts/Opinons?

You really do need to do a rotation with a residency program. Then, you sit and do the cases which is the best way to learn.

Also, regardless of what you do in med school, it's very different being a resident. I just started my anesthesiology training and it's really cool. Way better than any rotations in med school, but I'm sure there will be rough days. Even so, the knowledge and skillset is friggin awesome as hell. I can honestly say that I enjoy reading and honing my skill level and that I literally haven't been this excited in a long time. I know, I know. It's still VERY early, but it's a great feeling.