CRNA lifestyle

Specialties CRNA

Published

I'm so curious to know how CRNA's live. By the hectic schedule I've been told about how do find time to go out and spend your money, like buy a big beautiful house, decorate it, buy clothes, and so on. What kind of cars do you drive getting a fat check like that.

I must admit the money is one of the primary reasons for me going the CRNA route. In fact, I said that in my interview. There are a LOT of people I know with the same rationale for becoming CRNAs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to improve your/your family's lifestyle. I think some people like to sit up on their high horse and bark at & criticize other people. Don't let it bother you Andrea. You do what's best for you; just make sure that a career in nurse anesthesia is something you'll enjoy for the rest of your life. It's widely said that if you're miserable at work, no amount of money makes it worthwhile (not that I TOTALLY agree with that). All that said, almost everyone I know loves being a CRNA. If this is what you want to do, FULL STEAM AHEAD. Start working hard now. Don't let the negativity bring you down. The only way to find things out is to ask questions, keep doing so...

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Thank you InTheBlood that was simply what I was saying but in my own words of course. I guess when you have people that can't read between the lines they get offended. I never let the negativity bring me down, in fact it makes me stronger. Again thanx.

I must admit the money is one of the primary reasons for me going the CRNA route. In fact, I said that in my interview. There are a LOT of people I know with the same rationale for becoming CRNAs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to improve your/your family's lifestyle. I think some people like to sit up on their high horse and bark at & criticize other people. Don't let it bother you Andrea. You do what's best for you; just make sure that a career in nurse anesthesia is something you'll enjoy for the rest of your life. It's widely said that if you're miserable at work, no amount of money makes it worthwhile (not that I TOTALLY agree with that). All that said, almost everyone I know loves being a CRNA. If this is what you want to do, FULL STEAM AHEAD. Start working hard now. Don't let the negativity bring you down. The only way to find things out is to ask questions, keep doing so...
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Hi Andrea, I see that ALL of my posts have been removed.

Sorry if I offended you. I never want to discourage young nurses, because it seems less and less young people are going into nursing.

I guess after reading all of your posts my point was to go ahead and get started now in your undergraduate work, because you can make decisions about specialties as you get more involved in school and are around people who specialize in the areas you mentioned.

Also I have been working alot the last few days and am short on sleep.

Please accept my apologies.

:balloons:

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Andrea, I am not talking directly to you. I guess I vented more than I usually do. I'm a NS, and I've been with a lot of NS who (in our first year of school) told everybody there were going to become a CRNA in the future. Soon clinicals came along, and these same people also puked during observed surgery, hated critical care, belive that C=RN, etc., etc.

Let me give you a piece of advice. If you are not a nursing student, then that comes first. After that, make it through the first year before considering a specialty. Then ask to shadow a CRNA during your clinicals. I understand how impressive a large salary must sound, but I know that's not what you are all about. You must love science. Some SRNAs got in NA school after taking advanced chem, math, physics (more math), and biochemistry.

Good luck finding your place in nursing.

I agree, love the science. CRNA school requires you to constantly re-motivate yourself almost on a daily basis to sit and read sometimes hundreds of pages of material a day and then go power study it repeatedly. You have to really dig the science and want to learn it and understand it. The science will continually fascinate you and motivate you to keep on going forward.

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Andrea...good for you!!! Congratulations on college and having goals!!!! I knew I wanted to be a CRNA when I was 18!!! I was a freshman in nursing at the time. Currently, I'm about a year into the CRNA program I wanted and I love it and hate it at the same time. (I'm taking a break from studying right now after spending 14 hours at the hospital today!). It's hard work and its a basic self sacrafice of your life for 2 years....the money will b e nice...but nicer will be the freedom to make some of your own decisions, enjoy your job, and provide patient care in one aspect that is controlled by what you think the patient needs rather than someone else. My deciison to become a crna was reinformced after talking with dozens of them and finding there was not one who did not love their jobs. I folllwed several and saw very little I did not like...I look forward to enjoyhing most of the aspects of my job...vs ICU nursing where I liked the patients hated most of the rest of it. WOrk hard, keep your eyes on the goal, talk to people like some on this board, follow some people....I'll think you'll do great!!! :rotfl:

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Andrea, I am not talking directly to you. I guess I vented more than I usually do. I'm a NS, and I've been with a lot of NS who (in our first year of school) told everybody there were going to become a CRNA in the future. Soon clinicals came along, and these same people also puked during observed surgery, hated critical care, belive that C=RN, etc., etc.

Let me give you a piece of advice. If you are not a nursing student, then that comes first. After that, make it through the first year before considering a specialty. Then ask to shadow a CRNA during your clinicals. I understand how impressive a large salary must sound, but I know that's not what you are all about. You must love science. Some SRNAs got in NA school after taking advanced chem, math, physics (more math), and biochemistry.

Good luck finding your place in nursing.

Just an observation on my part....I am in Nursing IV of a five part ASN program...due to graduate in May 05. My class started out being very large, 112 students. Here we are a little more than a year later and there are about 65 left (For various reasons). Out of those students, there were 7 people that I know of, including myself, that had an interest or desire to become a CRNA. After clinicals and surgical rotations, there is only one person left that has actually stayed focused on that goal, ME!!! Everyone else has developed the C=RN attitude and many many people have told me that I am crazy since I want to continue to get my BSN, and eventually apply for CRNA school (I really think this poor attitude is a reflection of the local environment in which we live). I am focused on the initial goal of completing my A.S. in nursing FIRST and foremost, after that comes BSN while I am working critical care (working on securing an ICU position as we speak), then applying to a CRNA program. I keep the goal of CRNA in the back of my mind, but I try to stay focused on the here and now. So far, its been a hell of a lot of work and has taken a lot of dedication. Looking toward the future, its gonna take a lot more of the same and then some. But this is something that I have researched a lot and have a commitment to. In a way, I am glad that "most" of these CRNA hopefuls have the C=RN attitude now, it means less competition for me and just makes me a stronger candidate for acceptance to the BSN prgram AND a CRNA program. But the point is, find an interest that suits you, research it fully, set attainable short term goals without losing focus on the main goal, AND GO FOR IT !!!! Easier said than done, I know, but it has worked for me in many many cases and I hope it doesn't fail me in the future. ;)

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Just an observation on my part....I am in Nursing IV of a five part ASN program...due to graduate in May 05. My class started out being very large, 112 students. Here we are a little more than a year later and there are about 65 left (For various reasons). Out of those students, there were 7 people that I know of, including myself, that had an interest or desire to become a CRNA. After clinicals and surgical rotations, there is only one person left that has actually stayed focused on that goal, ME!!! Everyone else has developed the C=RN attitude and many many people have told me that I am crazy since I want to continue to get my BSN, and eventually apply for CRNA school (I really think this poor attitude is a reflection of the local environment in which we live). I am focused on the initial goal of completing my A.S. in nursing FIRST and foremost, after that comes BSN while I am working critical care (working on securing an ICU position as we speak), then applying to a CRNA program. I keep the goal of CRNA in the back of my mind, but I try to stay focused on the here and now. So far, its been a hell of a lot of work and has taken a lot of dedication. Looking toward the future, its gonna take a lot more of the same and then some. But this is something that I have researched a lot and have a commitment to. In a way, I am glad that "most" of these CRNA hopefuls have the C=RN attitude now, it means less competition for me and just makes me a stronger candidate for acceptance to the BSN prgram AND a CRNA program. But the point is, find an interest that suits you, research it fully, set attainable short term goals without losing focus on the main goal, AND GO FOR IT !!!! Easier said than done, I know, but it has worked for me in many many cases and I hope it doesn't fail me in the future. ;)
That's awesome that you are sticking with your goals. I noticed you said that while those people drop out of their interest in CRNA school your competition becomes less...actually, unfortunately it raises the bar you must compete against. All the people in my class were TOP of their class in nursing school and we were all very young leaders in the ICU. Now...we are all neck in neck for grades etc. It just raises the challenge which is good and bad! :coollook:
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Hello,

I have not been on the board for awhile as I prepare to start at Albany Med's CRNA program In September--Nice to be back

Personally, in watching the board over the past three years I have noticed a heightened level of sensitivity to CRNA's and their pay. Andrea, I too was overwhelmed and curious to what it would be like to make over 100,000$/ year working forty hours a week. I dreamt of the things I could provide for my family i.e. A nice house, and I have always wanted a BMW!! Red M5. These dreams are not ridiculous or immature by any means. They are real and fun.

Andrea you must realize that the CRNA profession is over 100 years old and it has been an uphill battle most of the way, -- in terms of increased autonomy, escaping physician supervision laws, Billing rights, practice rights-- you name the battle and the profession has endured and overcome many obstacles. So when you talk of the CRNA profession in a one liner post and mention solely money we all get a little crazy. If you decide to pursue a career in nursing anesthesia you will realize (if you don't already) that every penny is well deserved and that it is a continuous battle fighting over turf, pay etc.

So as far as I am concerned dream away, and know I will have that red M5BMW some day and it will be well deserved--Jeff

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

i must have missed something but....what the heck is 'C=RN'??:confused:

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Specializes in ICU/ CCU, Oncology ICU.
i must have missed something but....what the heck is 'C=RN'??:confused:

That means that some students just do the bare mininmun to graduate with a degree so they can call themselves RNs. A grade of C is still passing for undergrad degrees.

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i must have missed something but....what the heck is 'C=RN'??:confused:

All you need is a C to graduate...

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Specializes in Adult ER, Medical ICU.
i must have missed something but....what the heck is 'C=RN'??:confused:

You revived an oldy:)

I think it means who cares about the grade. You can graduate from NSG school with a C and get your RN, hence C=RN

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