RN in training thinking to the future

Specialties CRNA

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

Hi...my name is Melanie and I'm a 30 year old mother of two just beginning an ADN program. I do plan on matriculating to the university for my BSN after starting a career as an RN, but was unsure of what specialty I was interested in pursuing. I have only been in class 3 weeks now and already I LOVE my Pharmacology class (which appears to be the bane of every other student's existence...LOL). I have always been fascinated by drugs and how they affect the human body. I was lucky enough to work on human cadaver in my A & P class at the community college I attended. Truly a unique experience. We were given full privileges to dissect with direction from our professor. I am considering eventually trying to be a CRNA, but would love advice, opinions, and experiences from others who are already CRNA's and those who are in the programs now. Any information you can give me would me greatly appreciated. I just discovered this area of nursing and am very interested in finding out more. Thanks in advance!!!

Melanie (Class of 2005) :D

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Have you read the FAQ yet? If not, I'd suggest it. It has a ton of info about CRNAs in it.

Brett

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

Yes, I read over it. I guess I was looking more for personal experiences and stories from those who are either working as CRNA's or are in school for it. I wanted to hear from people about why they love/hate their job, and what the pros and cons are of being a CRNA. = )

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RN,

What I like--indpendence in decision making--no standing orders, no physician orders, no specific policies and procedures. Before someone questions the last part of the statement, sure we have policies and procedures, but they are prefaced with "professional judgement for each individual patient and circumstance take precedent over general policies and procedures. Professional judgement must be consistent with recognized practice."

I also love the patient interaction (I got three gifts in the last week from my patients). I love being able to apply pharmacology to the anesthesia process. The same goes with the application of anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and even chemistry and physics.

I love the income, the opportunity to set up my own business, to be respected in the workplace and the professionalism inherent in the profession. I love being a member of the AANA, the best professional organization in the country and a peer of the nicest, sincere, honest and caring people you can imagine.

I dislike the premiums (currently mine is $15,000 and I have never had a claim). Also, I dislike the jealousy from other members of the nursing profession who think we make too much money.

Anesthesia is never boring, always requires vigilence, an opportunity to use you knowledge and skills and the chance to make the patients' surgical experience comfortable and safe.

Yoga CRNA

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Yoga CRNA:

You put it so nice and real. As per your professional experience I can tell that becoming a CRNA has a lot more advantanges that disadvantages. From all the advanced nursing degrees that I have researched, nurse anesthetist is one of the few that let you keep that patient interaction that I have always love about nursing. Although I failed my first interview and I am already 40, I continue to pursue my goal, that is getting accepted into an excellent program, to become a CRNA. As I prepare for my GRE and CCRN, I check this board everyweek and continue to learn everyday from experienced professionals like you. Please keep sharing your wisdom.

Yamile

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Specializes in ICU, psych, corrections.

Thank you Yoga CRNA....I appreciate your comments and you obviously love your job. The only that concerns me is having to move my family when it comes time to attend a program (which far, far into the future!). But I know I don't want to be a "floor nurse" in a hospital forever and have looked into both Correctional Nursing and CRNA for their autonomy. I have always worked best on my own and would rather "do the job myself" than delegate it to someone who will not do it as well as I would like. I'm also concerned about my age...I will be 30 next month and am only in my first year of an ADN program. It took me a long time to get here due to lack of focus. But I'm enjoying my Pharmacology class so much and have always been so fascinated with drugs....I owned a PDR when I was 13. I have so much respect for CRNA's because their job is SO important. How long have you been a CRNA? And what brought you to this specialty in the first place? If you don't mind my asking, where did you go to school for this at? And how difficult was it to get a job? Also, this is very personal and if you don't want to answer, I won't be offended. Approx. how much do you make and what is the cost of living where you currently live? I live in northern Nevada and compared to what I'm used to in Texas, the cost of living is OUTRAGEOUS to me. Then again, to all the Californians moving here, it's cheap, cheap, cheap! =) Thanks in advance to any answers you may have for me.

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