From Chemical Engineering to CRNA

manusko · Jun 3, 2013

Hi,
First of all, thank you for deciding to read this post. I am an RN, and I'm confused as to what field of nursing I should go for. I am a former Chemical Engineering student, and I just loved it, and I have the passion for that field. Chemical Engineering is just my best fit. Anyway, I shifted to Nursing, and I'm an RN now, working as a Utilization Review Nurse, and I don't have the same passion as what I had in Engineering, and that is what I am looking for right now. I have taken personality tests, and it all comes out that I'm a choleric, and my best fit is administration. But somehow, I felt like, CRNA is close to chemical engineering, if that makes sense. I just wanna know if there are Chemical Engineers out there who took Nursing, then CRNA, and how did you feel about it? How was the environment and the job? Were you satisfied?
Thank you.
Jeanny

Sounds like you would fit in well with a job in chemical engineering.

CRNAspire · Jun 3, 2013

shadow a CRNA if you have not done so.

hiddencatRN, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2013

Why did you leave chemical engineering?

loveanesthesia · Jun 5, 2013

I know a CRNA who went from chemical engineering to CRNA, but she did not like chemical engineering. If you like chemical engineering, why change? Your nursing background could open up greater opportunities it would seem to me.

bread angel · Jun 9, 2013

A science background is always a plus for anesthesia. We use both chemistry and engineering every day in our practice, although we may call it something else. I agree with the other comments, find a really sharp CRNA to shadow for a couple days. This is the best way to get some sense of the profession, the skills and knowledge required and the operating room environment. Try it and then get back to us.

ssrhythm · Jun 27, 2013

I have no idea how to relate the two professions despite understanding that everything is chemistry and that you must enjoy the academic aspects of life. Like others have commented, go and shadow a CRNA several times to try and get a good feel for what we do on a daily basis. While not a chemical engineer, my path to becoming a CRNA started when circumstances forced me to take a job at a hospital as a PT aide for ~6.00/hr. I had evolved through several professions not at all related to healthcare, but I quickly realized that this temporary, terrible paying job was the most fulfilling job I'd had. While not 100% the case, most CRNAs possess a love for hands-on patient care that is enveloped by the need for great autonomy and responsibility. If you have a love for direct patient care and are willing to get the ICU experience required and are then willing to dedicate nearly 100% of your life for nearly three years to excelling in one of the most difficult programs to navigate in the medical field while racking up a pile of student loan debt...well then go do some shadowing and see how you feel about it. Not saying that you wont love it, but the fact that you became a nurse and have taken a path into managerial type/paperwork position rather than taking a path to more hands-on work with high acuity patients hints at not having the passion for the work we do that you will need to fuel you through all you have to get through to become a CRNA. I'm not trying to be negative, but the road to becoming a CRNA is long, difficult, and expensive and it is not something you want to do if you are not 100% committed to it.