Airway above all else
Anesthesia Quinn Anesthesia Quinn

Airway above all else

I did well on the SEE (an exam that assesses your readiness for the nurse anesthesia certifying board exam)... so does that mean I can test out of this final year of CRNA school?? No? Fine

I got my first "code airway" intubation today!

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Hearts
Anesthesia Quinn Anesthesia Quinn

Hearts

Tomorrow I start my cardiac rotation. I’m a little nervous because the last time I’ve thought about complex anesthesia (the kind of anesthesia that takes a lot of set up time in the morning, and requires more monitors than just standard ASA) was about, oh, 5 months ago.

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Stories from the OR: Ex lap
Anesthesia Quinn Anesthesia Quinn

Stories from the OR: Ex lap

So a couple weeks ago, I was doing an emergency exploratory laparotomy for a perforated bowel with a resident. The patient was actually not that sick, but this type of case is usually a bigger case. We prepared the following: awake arterial line, videoscope, hot line, central line, and began transfusing blood, etc.

As we were getting the room ready, I began my little routine…

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Advice for SRNA clinicals
Anesthesia Quinn Anesthesia Quinn

Advice for SRNA clinicals

I’ve now finished 2 clinical rotations.
4 months ago, I had never intubated anyone before. 
Now I have provided anesthesia for almost 140 cases, ranging from moderate sedation, to spinals, to general anesthesia.
Here’s what I’ve learned…

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Gift guide for anesthesia students
Anesthesia Quinn Anesthesia Quinn

Gift guide for anesthesia students

Just in case anyone is wondering what would be a good gift for an anesthesia resident / student CRNA … whether it be for Christmas (in which case, wow you’re cutting it pretty close), a birthday, or to celebrate admission into a program: I have ideas for you! No affiliate links, just stuff I like…

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A week in the life of an SRNA
Anesthesia Quinn Anesthesia Quinn

A week in the life of an SRNA

Every day, I’m partnered with a new CRNA... and it’s my responsibility to quickly learn what they expect of me. This has proven to be difficult.

Monday
CRNA: It’s prudent to always have a 2nd syringe of propofol drawn up and ready, in case you need it emergently
Quinn: Oh okay, makes sense, will do.

Tuesday
(6am. Quinn makes sure to have 2 propofol syringes)
CRNA: (Sees the 2 propofol syringes) Don’t you know how quickly propofol starts harboring bacteria!? NEVER draw up propofol ahead of time!

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First week of clinicals as an SRNA
Anesthesia Quinn Anesthesia Quinn

First week of clinicals as an SRNA

It’s true, I forgot how to be a nurse. I couldn’t remember if I used to use the same blunt to withdraw different medications, or use a different blunt for each bottle. My lines were all tangled. But with each day, my muscles slowly remembered and my old habits kicked in…

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