CRNA back to RN, anyone?

BCRNA · Jul 31, 2012

Long time reader, first time poster.
I love anesthesia, and I wouldn't change my decision to become a CRNA. BUT. . .
I feel like life was simpler when I was an RN. One of the things I loved about nursing was the flexibility, and the ability to work in different areas and not be tied down to one specialty. Wondering if anyone has gone back to being and RN after having worked for several yrs as a CRNA, and what your experience has been?
Did you work locums/PRN to get the hours you needed to keep your certification?
Perhaps it's just a mid-life crisis and I should go purchase a sports care or something.

I have neve heard of a CRNA going back to work as an RN. The pay cut is to extreme. I know plenty of CRNA's who have gone into other professions part time. I know a few who work part time in anesthesia and part time in another field (real estate, flower shop owner, personal trainer, etc.)

If you are tired of your current job then look for other settings to work in that offer more variety. There is alot of scheduling flexibility and a many different settings (cardiac, OB, outpatient day surgery centers, special procedure only jobs, etc.)

The problem with going into another career outside anesthesia is that there are no other jobs that will make the same amount of money. My friends who do other things all do it because they enjoy it, not because it can replace income from anesthesia.

Don't make the same mistake that many CRNAs make, don't get used to the money and get stuck doing something you don't love. Anesthesia is a great job, I would never leave it. Many who just want the money are stuck because there is nothing else they can do for the same income, we make more than many physicians.

I work part time in anesthesia and have many hobbies to take up my other time. I find just anesthesia 40 hours per week gets boring for me, I do research and academics also.

something's missing · Aug 7, 2012

Thanks for you're reply.

I do love what I do, I guess I just want a life outside of work and being the kind of person I am, it's easy for me to start looking at my job as my life. That gets tiresome. I need to stop defining myself by my work. I think as an RN I did less of that, maybe because there wasn't the same "professional" status with all the politics to boot as an RN (not that it's not a profession, just I was not nearly as aware/involved in the political side of it).

My spouse and I talked, and the change in income we can handle, so luckily that is not a critical factor for us. I do like the sound of part time + hobby :)! Guess that's something I should start looking at.

Thanks again for repling. Nice to know I'm not the only who --while loving anesthesia-- also wants more out of life!

subee, MSN, CRNA · Sep 5, 2012

Your on-line alias says it all - "something's missing". I work with nurse-addicts. Almost all of the CRNA's have to go back without the C and the A in their initials. They didn't realize how badly they were affected by the stressors of the work and being a corporate widget until someone ripped the licence away. It's so hard to admit you're miserable when you've spent so much on your education and they feel it's impossible to leave if they have any school debt. Most are pleased with their new serenity quotient. I can only remember one person who left without an addiction. She did it to get away from the corporate stressors and did an RN job that she enjoyed. Once you can let go of the ego (I am what I do) and work on who you ARE, you're in a better place.

SycamoreGuy · Sep 10, 2012

I would suggest cutting your hours back / maybe an extended vacation.

eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN · Sep 10, 2012

I'll switch places with you :) I think you really should take a vacation. Go buy a motorcycle or a sports car. Do something fun outside of work.

NJnewRN · Sep 11, 2012

Honestly, I'm just about ready to leave nursing. Either I get my masters or leave. The floor is brutal. Yes, try to cut back. Don't come back to the horrible trenches.

Eiano · Sep 12, 2012

Something had to have made you decide that being an RN wasn't enough to make you pursue anesthesia, right? Go back to that time and decide if $$$ was the only factor. If it was, then maybe you do need to step back for a while, work locums and travel! Are you the breadwinner in your family? Single? Personally, if my spouse earned a good living and was happy in his career and I were in your position, I'd think about working per diem only.

sunshineonleith · Sep 15, 2012

Why not take your experience overseas and work for someone like doctors with out borders or mercy ships for awhile? Different perspective, etc. Help some other folks out while figuring out what's best for you.