Why Shouldn't I Tell?

[kmchugh]

Frequently on this board, we have posters who are not yet in nursing school (or have just started) who want to become CRNA's. I often advise these people, among other things, to keep their ultimate goals pretty much to themselves. I have further advised them when asked what they want to do in their nursing careers to keep the answer to "When I graduate, I want to work critical care."

Recently, I have received a few PM's asking me why I give this advice. Rather than repeat myself in numerous PM's, I thought I'd just post a thread on the topic. Also, this will give me a thread I can point to for others who may ask the question. So, here it is.

You will run into some nurses who have a prejudice against CRNA's. When I decided to apply, I had one nurse actually ask me why I was "leaving nursing." Some of the nurses who don't like CRNA's are instructors in nursing schools. Nursing school is tough enough without having instructors frown on your personal plans. Additionally, I have heard of an ICU manager or two who avoided hiring nurses who wanted to become CRNA's because "I don't want to just get them trained up, only to have them leave."

So, why does this prejudice exist? I'm not entirely sure. I personally think a lot of it has to do with jealousy. Some nurses are jealous of the salary we get, or the perceived respect we get, or I don't know what else. A recent poster to this board asked why so many nurses wanted to be CRNA's. He "didn't want anyone to take it personally, but perhaps it was just because they didn't really want to be nurses, but they wanted to be pseudo-MD's." The reasons are legion. But, they are out there, and there is no reason to make your life any tougher than it needs to be.

I will say that those who are prejudiced against CRNA's are a very small minority. But they are out there, working as staff nurses, nurse managers, and instructors in nursing schools. The problem is figuring out who they are. Better to be safe than sorry.

I welcome any comments, agreeing or disagreeing. This is based solely on my experience.

Kevin McHugh

[Gump]

Well Said Rapheal. Rock On!

[Liann]

Part of that hostile attitude towards folks who crow that they are going on to CRNA school is due to the impression they give that the current nursing situation is only a way station for them. I agree that it is wise to speak less, listen more. (Remember...two ears, one mouth)

Learn all you can and move on with your life. Others dont need to know your plans....

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

So if you aren't supposed to tell people of your goals, who should you ask for a recommendation letter from? I know that many schools ask for a recommendation letter from a current work supervisor. How did you all handle this when asking for a recommendation? Did you ask for a letter from your nurse manager, or someone else like your preceptor or clinical specialist? Did you ask that person not to tell anyone else that you were applying to CRNA school?? Thanks for the advice.

[CougRN]

I told my manager in my interview for my first RN position that i was planning on applying for crna school after a couple of years in the ICU. Most managers encourage advanced education, they had to get one before they could move into their position. Then when I started on the floor I asked her to keep her eyes open and watch how I worked. I asked her for ways that I could aid her in writing me a good rec and she helped me get on different boards in the hospital to be involved. So when the time came to get the rec from her she was more than happy to do it. My current supervisor also is pro grad school and would be happy to write a rec also if I needed it. So my advice is to be careful who you tell when it comes to the nurses you work with, especially the seasoned ones. But most managers should be supportive. If we can't help each other succeed then who is going to. Best of luck.

[AnesthesiaBound]

As far as reference letters and telling people of your dreams, use your best judgement. If you are planning on going to school, don't tell the manager until you've sent in your application and it's time to request a reference letter.

If it were me, I'd feel out my manager to see their views on advanced practice nurses. If they are receptive, there's no problem in telling them. If you think they don't think too highly of advancing your degree, start working on them early. Do a little salesmanship and sell yourself and your goals. Start well before the application deadline and get to know him/her. Over time, I would imagine that they would see how important your dreams are and support you.

If you don't think they will, you can always change places. I've worked for the past 3-4 years traveling and in agency work. Here the managers know you are temporary, so it's no big deal. But, while you are on assignment, really try to sell yourself. If you work hard and show that you know your stuff, I'm sure that you could find a manager to help you out.

P.S. Doing agency isn't such a bad thing. You can gain a lot of extra experience that you may not be able to in just one place. Work in as many places and units as you can and highlight this variety/adaptability/flexibility on your application.

B

[jewelcutt]

When I applied for a nurse tech position in an SICU that I have now been working as a nurse for two years my manager asked me the question about further education. My reply was that I wasn't sure what I would do because I wanted to get a chance to see what nursing had to offer, I also said that the reason nursing is so great is because it is so diverse with multiple opportunities. I mentioned that I could see myself getting a masters degree in the distant future because that's how ambitious I am but my plan for at least the next four years was to do ICU nursing because that is what intrigued me. She bought all that mumbo jumbo and hired me, but I know she clearly hates nurses going to CRNA school. In fact we have about 6-8 people every year who leave for anesthesia school. She now makes it clear in interviews that she expects a two year commitment and if they break it she won't write them a good letter of reccomendation, unfortunately around here you need one from an NM. Then she won't hire people who admit they want to go to school. Next if you are hired she won't pay for your ACLS until you have been working there a year and you aren't allowed to take balloon pump class unless you've been there a year also. Luckily for me, she instituted all these rules after I had been there a while. I worked my ass off and kissed ass and happen to be one of the few that have a good relationship with her. She has been known in the past to screw people on their recs and screw you over with vacation time once accepted. So keep your mouth shut until your app is due. As for other coworkers, if they are supportive like mine are tell them, but not right away. As for those that are unsupportive, get a good idea of what CRNA's do tell them why you want it. It's none of their business anyways what you do with your future.

Just my two-hundred cents!!!

[Berliner]

I have seen a lot of support in my goals to become a CRNA, but always tinged with a bit of jealousy. People tend to come off to me as if fearing that they are less intelligent- they could do it if they wanted to, but just couldn't deal with another round of school. Maybe they are wistful. Otherwise, I see a career as an obvious extension of nursing. I've always wanted to be able to do more for patients before their surgeries, always wished they didn't have all the post-anesthetic nausea, etc. And when I get in, I hope to provide my patients with great care, a piece of mind that the have a caring person on the other end during their sleep, and be able to deliver them into the care of the ICU/ PACU - lines organized and not a mess! Why be jealous of that- As an ICU RN, I love that.

[Berliner]

I have seen a lot of support in my goals to become a CRNA, but always tinged with a bit of jealousy. People tend to come off to me as if fearing that they are less intelligent- they could do it if they wanted to, but just couldn't deal with another round of school. Maybe they are wistful. Otherwise, I see a career as an obvious extension of nursing. I've always wanted to be able to do more for patients before their surgeries, always wished they didn't have all the post-anesthetic nausea, etc. And when I get in, I hope to provide my patients with great care, a piece of mind that the have a caring person on the other end during their sleep, and be able to deliver them into the care of the ICU/ PACU - lines organized and not a mess! Why be jealous of that- As an ICU RN, I love that.

[adrienurse, LPN]

sheesh

If we eliminated all the members here who do what others consider to be "not real nursing", there wouldn't be a lot of us left.

[alansmith52]

I certainly was exposed to this predjudice and learned after hard lessons to simply keep my mouth shut. and if you've read me you know thats a miricle. :)