Very Unhappy With My Career

Specialties CRNA

Published

I've been a nurse anesthetist for 12 years and I absolutely HATE my career choice. I dread going to work each day. I'm tired of the arrogant surgeons, condescending and controlling anesthesiologist and the constant rushing in the OR at the expense of patient safety. I've seriously considered changing careers all together however I'm making more money than I ever thought I would in my lifetime. I'm not sure if I'm on the correct website to discuss this but I just can't get anyone to listen to my frustrations. Most people think I'm crazy to be so unhappy in such a "pretigious" and "lucrative" career. I absolutely love taking care of my patients but I just feel that everyone else is working against me in this process. Income aside, I'm absolutely miserable and not sure what to do. Does anyone else out there feel the same way? Is any other CRNA out there as dissatisfied as I am with there career? Please let me know. Thanks for your time.

To the writer of the post....

Is there anyway to private message you or send you an email? I am thinking about switching careers to become a CRNA and I would like to ask some questions about your job/career.

Thanks, SC

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

Although I am not a CRNA, and therefore I do not totally understand your working conditions/obligations or student loan repayment plans...I do believe that being happy within one's career is vital.

One of my instructors said once, "Some people LIVE and others just EXIST." This makes a lot of sense if you think about it for awhile.

And something that my husband and I live by: "Money isn't everything." We have chosen our careers and areas of employment based on personal satisfaction, not letting the almighty dollar be the defining factor.

I agree with the others who have suggested seeking employment elsewhere. If in fact, you are not happy with the career choice overall...perhaps you should find another avenue in nursing. If loans are an issue, maybe you could perform as a CRNA part time while doing something that you really enjoy.

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to nupe...

wow.. reading this post suddently changed my mind.. im a soon to be rn who just took the boards yesterday...and iv been reading about future possible plans of perhaps becoming a CRNA years from now. but my focus was on the money---i feel shallow and greedy:uhoh3: ..... i don't know too much bout the profession..but it "seemed" doable---the extra years of school...and what little i know bout the profession... hmm..i guess it really just depends on the person..

but i suggest that you look in on something better.. its not worth living your life miserable.... regardless of how much money you can make living your life the way you want it... money aint everything..if you aren't 100% satisfied:madface:

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To the OP: I wish you the best of luck in whatever you do. I'm thinking of becoming a CRNA in the future, and hopefully I'll like what I do. I hope you find happiness in a career that you will love. Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

I understand your frustration, I have worked in ICU, CCU, neuro, ER and Trauma.

What is the difference between a surgeon and GOD??????????

GOD doesn't think he is a surgeon

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Specializes in Telemetry/CVU/CICU/CVICU/Neuro-ICU/SICU.

Nupe4sleep....how are you frat brother? I am so sad that you are so dissatisfied with your career choice! I have been so excited about starting my career as a nurse so that I may apply to a CRNA program. Maybe its the hospital or location that you are working at. Perhaps you may consider moving or trying to subspecialize. Please send me a personal im if possible...thanks!!!

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If the OP wanted the opinion of people who are not CRNAs or SRNAs im sure they would not have posts in the CRNA forum.

Now, if you hate you job i suggest you quit. Staying in a job that makes you unhappy will lead to personal resentment as well as eventual degredation of your performance.

As a CRNA you are well within the minority. A recent survey suggested that 95% of CRNAs love their job and would choose it over again.

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I agree with those that have encouraged you to seek employment elsewhere. Ironically, on the pre-CRNA thread there is a post on 'why do you love nurse anesthesia'. Perhaps it is pertinent at this time to ask yourself the same question...what is it that you do love? what is that truly makes you 'hate' this profession it took a great deal of work to get into? If you still love patient care and advocacy, but hate the uphill battle your institution gives you, change jobs. Having you unhappy in your job is a disservice not only to you, but to all the patients you provide care to each day--they deserve the very best of you and your efforts and no matter how good you are, if you are as miserable as you say you are, then you aren't giving 100%.

Decide if you still love nurse anesthesia, if you do, make the hard and heartfelt moves to continue it, somewhere else. Also, the notion someone offered of teaching was a good thought as well--if, and only if, you still love nurse anesthesia.

you have a lot of thinking to do, but if you want to be happy, you must decide.

good luck,

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Are you unhappy with your job or career? There is a difference. If it is job dissatisfaction, then find a new job. Like others have said there are lots of other opportunities out there and every facility has it's own personality. As far as career change. You mentioned student loans and being a single father. Sorry dude, but I can't go along with the touchy-feely folks. It's time to grow a pair and man up! You got kids to take care of and until they can fend for themselves you gotta suck it up and provide for them and you just happen to be in a career that you can provide nicely. It may take some creativity to temper your unhappiness but you gotta do what you gotta do to support your family. You ain't the first man to not be happy at work, many others suffer for far less money, benefits and prestige. You could be digging a hole out in the cold when you are 60........ Good luck.

ray

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Hmmm . . . my intuition is telling me something here. How long have you been with your current employer?

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hmmm, just wanted to point out that the original poster asked if there were other CRNA's out there unhappy with their job. Not sure why we have people from every other profession giving this person advice. Not to say that your opinions don't count, but how is a person to advise another when you don't truly understand the nature of his complaints.

So things you hate about your job. Surgeons who think they are God. Well, fortunately not all surgeons think this way, you may just work with a high number of them. My advice, get a new job and work with some different surgeons!!

Another complaint is that MDA's that are condescending. Hmm, let's see...not all MDA's are like this and you may just be working many who are. Not sure if you knew this, but CRNA's can practice independently without the supervision of MDA's. There are many independent practices out there at smaller community hospitals that don't have the quick turn over times between cases as well. IF you have been stuck in a dead end job for 12 years and have chosen not to move on, then you have no right to complain. That's all...Good luck and don't forget to write when you have found a new job.

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hmmm, just wanted to point out that the original poster asked if there were other CRNA's out there unhappy with their job. Not sure why we have people from every other profession giving this person advice. Not to say that your opinions don't count, but how is a person to advise another when you don't truly understand the nature of his complaints.

I don't recall the original message poster saying they only wanted advice from CRNAs.

Do two people have to be in the same profession to understand eachother. You remind me of the patient who says "You don't know what it's like!"

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