Am I too old???

WntrMute2 · Nov 12, 2001

Hi ADN, I'm wrapping up my 1st semester as a SRNA, just so you know a little about me. I'm 43 YO and I have a god friend in the program who is 40. We are the oldest by quite a bit but you shouldn't feel to old to go for it. I do think we have a little less stamina for the late nights but neither one of our grades are suffering a bit. 30 is not too old, you bay be a little more focused than the youngest in you class.

The school will see all your grades so everything counts. I'm sure that your more recent stuff will be looked at the hardest.

Good luck.

nilepoc · Nov 12, 2001

Wintermute covers it well, just thought I would say I am starting my program at 32, so go for it.

adnstudent · Nov 12, 2001

Thanks Wntrmute2 and nilepoc! I take it the average age is around mid 20's then. Oh how I wish I was that determined at 18! But I will continue on! What is the diff. between an SRNA and a CRNA. What doest the S stand for? And is there a residency period upon copletion of a CRNA program?

WntrMute2 · Nov 12, 2001

SRNA =Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Iguess my spelling needs a little work. That was good not god and may not bay. The average age is probably lat 20s to 30. No residency program, we are required to do aprox 650 cases total start to finish.

adnstudent · Nov 13, 2001

Are those hours required during or after the program? How long after the program can you be certified. So as a SRNA what can you actually do as far as supervision is concerned?? Thank you for you time. :)

WntrMute2 · Nov 13, 2001

As a student you are fully supervised, sort of like one is during nursing school. As one gets more experience, they leave you alone for longer and longer periods. As seniors they are pretty much on their own with the CRNA working with them mostly checking for evaluation purposes. The paperwork to become certified supposedly takes a month to process, We finish in early December and most sit for their boards early in January. Those wern't hours my friend, those figures were CASES you must do 350(I think) for ANAA standards but my school requires 650 anesthesia cases done from start to completion in order to graduate.

adnstudent · Nov 13, 2001

Thanks for the input. Can ask you what a case actually involves. Sorry Im not quite educated in this area so Im doing my research for a potential future in it. Thanks so much!!! :) Also....how does the education differ from an anasthesiologist to a CRNA??

nilepoc · Nov 14, 2001

In my understanding, I am sure wintermute will clarify if I get this wrong.....

A case is the pre and post care along with the actual surgery. You have to assess the patient pre-op, go home and research the procedure, the surgical technique, and any possible interactions those two might have. You have to choose the anesthestic to be used, and generally get ready for surgery the next day. During the case you do the induction, (secure an airway, administer anesthetic) and maintain the patient throughout the surgery. Afterward you awaken the patient and recover them. Give report to the receiving nurse and follow up later.

Surgeries can be as short as 30 minutes, or as long as an entire day. That is why wintermute stated that hours did not matter.

As far as difference in education, well for one you don't have to go to medical school. You as a result will not have the depth of general knowledge that an MD has. This is why it is critical to get good experience before you enter a program. Time wise, they are about the same with 2 years diference.

4 years undergrad, 2-3 years working experience, 3 years graduate school = 10 years. for CRNA

4 years undergrad, 4 yeas Medical school, four years residency, = 12 years

for MD Anestheiologist.

An anesthesiologist has more options in their scope of practice, as they can work pain service and become ICU intiensivists. While CRNA's only have the ability to practice in the OR.

I hope that helped.

Oh the biggest difference from MD to CRNA is pay, as a CRNA, you will make 1/3 of the what the MD does.

adnstudent · Nov 14, 2001

You summed it up quite well!!! This info will helped me out a lot! Although, I do plan on working ICU during my BSN so that will save me two years on the work experience. By the way...does it have to be in ICU or can it be NICU or PICU??? What do you see CRNA's salaries starting at where you live? Anesthesioligists make good money then!! That's crazy. In L.A. I have seen CRNA positions starting at 110,000.

nilepoc · Nov 14, 2001

For salary comparison, you should surf over to Gaswork.com and look at the CRNA positions. About a third of them list salary ranges.

I found one position within 50 miles of where I live that was offering 140K and 12 weeks plus of vacation and 3 plus weeks of education leave.

I wonder if they will hold that position for me for three years.

:)

WntrMute2 · Nov 14, 2001

You need to have1 year in the adult ICU not just PICU / NICU. Salaries in my area are starting a little over 100,000. (Detroit)