Ask a CRNA anything...

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I like many of you was once an ICU nurse wanting to be a CRNA so I figure I'd start up another thread and let you all ask me any question you want. I've been a CRNA for 6 years and do every procedure from open hearts to trauma to peds. My opinions are my own and are not necessarily all correct but I will help where I can. So ask away....

Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology.

The OR is anything but quiet but you're right anesthesia is 95% relax and 5% excitement. That's why we get paid so well due to that 5% of the time that everyone depends on you to run the code or save someone. My best advise for someone thinking of anesthesia is to shadow a CRNA. This doesn't mean shadow them for a few hours one time. You need to shadow someone for multiple days and really see if this life style is for them.

My biggest concern about CRNA is that I have the idea that they have to sit in a quiet area for very long periods of time. Is this true? I feel like that might get boring after awhile.

Also what made you choose CRNA?

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology.

It's all relative. For some it might be the difference in hours. For most practices you don't work 7-7 like a RN. You're there till cases get done. For me I guess the toughest is dealing with MD egos

What's one of the most difficult aspects working as a CRNA?
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What schedule do you work? How much on-call are you expected to take?

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Please rank in order of difficulty the requirements that you must complete on the road to being a CRNA according to your experience:

Nursing school

NCLEX

Landing an ICU job

CCRN(if applicable)

GRE(if applicable)

CRNA school

What was your timeline in completing all of the above?

Thanks for doing this thread!

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology.

I work around 40-45hrs a week and take call twice a week. I only work 3-4 days though. Most jobs require some form of call like every 5th weekend or something like that and some don't require any. Main thing you need to realize is anesthesia is NOT shift work unless you maybe work in a large academic center where theres a bunch of residents. Something like that you may have more of a set schedule but you will also probably be micromanaged a ton.

What schedule do you work? How much on-call are you expected to take?
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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology.

Not sure it would be even a question of which would be tougher, but it was CRNA school. Comparing it to nursing school is night and day. Yes I have a degree in nursing but anesthesia school is not anywhere close to nursing school in the mindset of nursing diagnosis'. As a CRNA you are the one making the call, ordering what drugs to give, what treatments to do, what lines to place, etc. You don't have to call a Dr. to get an order to start a medication like you did in the unit. In regards to the rest of your list I guess it would be as follows:

CRNA school >>>>> (all the above equally).

Many schools don't even require GRE now, but its really a similar test as something like the SATs. I would definitely get a CCRN and either CVICU or SICU experience. Think of all those as simple requirements. Nursing school is required, NCLEX is required, not necessarily tougher than each other, but basically just a box you need to check off before you can become a CRNA.

I got my BSN then did 4 years ICU then 2.5yrs CRNA school.

Please rank in order of difficulty the requirements that you must complete on the road to being a CRNA according to your experience:

Nursing school

NCLEX

Landing an ICU job

CCRN(if applicable)

GRE(if applicable)

CRNA school

What was your timeline in completing all of the above?

Thanks for doing this thread!

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Specializes in SICU, CCRN.

Thanks for offering yourself as a resource! I was just curious about CRNA school with a family; is it doable? Do you have any free time for your loved ones, or is it as bad as they say? Also, how much experience would you recommend a new grad get before applying to a CRNA program? I just accepted a SICU position, and was planning to spend at least 3 years there.

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology.

It is definitely doable with a family and actually having a good support system is very helpful. Will there be tons of days you will miss a lot of stuff with your kids, sure will be, but in the long run it will pay off. There will be some time during the semesters that are classwork only but once you start hours in the hospital it will get a lot tougher and missing family events will become normal, but again its a sacrifice that is worth it in the long run.

I think all CRNA hopefuls should have a minimum of at least 2 years ICU experience. I don't think 1 year is really enough to learn how to critically think and have a good basis for CRNA school. SICU and CVICU are easily the best in regards to experience to fully help you become a CRNA. PICU and other ICUs are decent but the overall experience you get from a high acuity CVICU or SICU just cannot be beat.

Thanks for offering yourself as a resource! I was just curious about CRNA school with a family; is it doable? Do you have any free time for your loved ones, or is it as bad as they say? Also, how much experience would you recommend a new grad get before applying to a CRNA program? I just accepted a SICU position, and was planning to spend at least 3 years there.
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Specializes in SRNA.

I have several questions so bear with me :)

1. I saw that you have your masters from CRNA school. I'm not sure how many doctorate CRNA programs were available when you started school, but if you were in my shoes (looking to start CRNA school in the next year or 2) would you choose a doctorate or masters program and why?

2. Where did you go to school and what were some of the pros and cons with that school?

3. Have you worked as a CRNA in both a metropolitan area as well as rural? If so, what were some of the pros and cons of each?

P.S. You da bomb for taking the time to do this for those of us interested in CRNA school!! Thank you!

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology.

1. It really all depends on what you want to do later on down the road. If you think you will one day want a job teaching then you are going to want to get the DNP. All schools must be DNP by the year 2022 so if you start school after that year you don't get a choice, but if you just plan on becoming a CRNA and working in an operating room in my opinion there really isn't a need for the doctorate. Unless you really want that title and mail coming to your house with Dr. so and so on it there really isn't a need for it. The cost of the DNP is at least an extra $30k and it will not pay you a single dollar more in practice. When I went to school there were not many schools offering DNP but if I had to do it over again I really am not sure I would go that route simply because of the cost and the fluff type of doctorate I feel it is.

2. Feel free to PM me if you want specifics about a program. But I will say there will be pros and cons of any school you go to. Main thing you want to do is find one that will teach you to be independent. Many schools don't do that and even though there are requirement numbers to meet like central lines and blocks, they actually don't let the students do any and will have them count the procedure if they are just standing there. Some schools will have you count the procedure when you do it in the simulation lab which is also a complete joke.

3. I have not worked rural or in a CRNA only practice, but main reason I don't is location. I just couldn't see myself living out in the middle of nowhere just to be in a CRNA only practice. Main thing I feel is important when looking for a job is the scope of practice the CRNAs have. Many places that have anesthesia residents will give special treatment to them and give the easier cases to CRNAs. There are tons of other variables to look at but some questions to ask employers to give you a good idea of how they treat CRNAs are: Do the CRNAs get to place their own central lines, do they do their own spinals/epidurals PNBs, etc. Do they have to call the MDA to intubate/extubate.

I have several questions so bear with me :)

1. I saw that you have your masters from CRNA school. I'm not sure how many doctorate CRNA programs were available when you started school, but if you were in my shoes (looking to start CRNA school in the next year or 2) would you choose a doctorate or masters program and why?

2. Where did you go to school and what were some of the pros and cons with that school?

3. Have you worked as a CRNA in both a metropolitan area as well as rural? If so, what were some of the pros and cons of each?

P.S. You da bomb for taking the time to do this for those of us interested in CRNA school!! Thank you!

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I have several questions so bear with me :)

1. I saw that you have your masters from CRNA school. I'm not sure how many doctorate CRNA programs were available when you started school, but if you were in my shoes (looking to start CRNA school in the next year or 2) would you choose a doctorate or masters program and why?

California CRNA programs are all doctorate as of this year

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California CRNA programs are all doctorate as of this year

That's not true.

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