Preparing for Surgery

(For You and Family)

Surgery requires a lot of planning, especially if you have a family to feed. There are different ways of organizing your downtime while you recover and recuperate.

For instance, you can have family and friends sign up at a free website called mealtrain.com. You select the dates that you need and your family and friends will bring the food and drinks to you and your family. You can add Meal Train (Plus) if you need childcare, dog walks, rides, etc., and for the usual items...

What is a CRNA?

Cancer Surgeon (middle), flanked by 2 CRNAs

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) have been around for over a hundred years.  We are advanced practice nurses who deliver safe anesthesia, whether it be general, regional, local, or monitored anesthesia care.

CRNA Degree

Become a CRNA

To become a CRNA, you will need to do the following:

1. Completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at a 4 year university.

2. As a BSN graduate, work in an intensive care unit (ICU) for 1-2 years.  The more years of experience, the more confidence you will have with your patient’s care.

Disclosure

Disclosure before surgery

CRNAs or anesthesia providers need to know if you are a patient with increased risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV).  Especially if you have mentioned this risk to your anesthesia provider.  Most patients rate that “PONV is a worse feeling after surgery than pain”.

Before Surgery

Before Surgery Checklist

1) What to Expect Before Surgery:

      -Nothing to eat or drink after midnight; sometimes surgery is moved up due to a cancellation of another surgery, or the surgeon is running ahead of schedule.