[hojimma]

There is no disputing that this is true because by working 5 days a week on travel assignments (ICU)--an ICU travel nurse can definitely earn more than a CRNA (for the travel nurse, I think this will be between 165K-185K depending on the agency). The travel nurse would be working roughly 60 hours a week---and as I understand it CRNA's normally work around 40-45 hours/weekly making around 120K-130K *maybe*.

*the catch is* CRNA have benefits and packages that are really good, which also adds to the bottom line. but at the end of the day-- Why go through CRNA school, when you can make just as much if not more TRAVELING?

YOUR OPINIONS WELCOMED!

[heartICU]

Originally Posted by hojimma

There is no disputing that this is true because by working 5 days a week on travel assignments (ICU)--an ICU travel nurse can definitely earn more than a CRNA (for the travel nurse, I think this will be between 165K-185K depending on the agency). The travel nurse would be working roughly 60 hours a week---and as I understand it CRNA's normally work around 40-45 hours/weekly making around 120K-130K *maybe*.

*the catch is* CRNA have benefits and packages that are really good, which also adds to the bottom line. but at the end of the day-- Why go through CRNA school, when you can make just as much if not more TRAVELING?

YOUR OPINIONS WELCOMED!

Money isn't everything. I like anesthesia better than ICU nursing. Plain and simple.

[jesset2]

OK, if a CRNA works the same number of hours (60) as a traveler (locum tenens), what would the salary be then????

[Focker]

It seems like you are comparing apples to oranges. How about a comparison for travel RN vs. travel CRNA (locum tenens).

I think most responses you will get to your question will cite job fulfillment. Also, it would be tough to make a career out of traveling; I can't imagine traveling around for the entire 30+ years of a nursing career, which is what would have to be done to consistently make that much money as an RN. Most will also say that noone goes into CRNA for just the money. Regardless, I would venture to say that the travel RN that makes more than CRNA is the exception rather than the rule.

[cathys01]

You can certainly do that, but it doesn't sound like a lifelong career to me. If it's just the money you're after then, yes, travel nursing is a great way to make some cash.

I want the CRNA job. The autonomy. Knowing that it is up to you to keep this person alive during surgery. Certainly the lifestyle is better if I get to stay in my home and work 40hrs a week rather than 60hrs a week. The benefits as well...knowing that while I'm already making $120k/yr that I'm also contributing heavily to a 401K and will not have to worry about retirement. Knowing that I will be able to put my kids through college. Enjoying a fairly unique job within the scope of nursing (only 36,000 CRNAs in the US). Working for the long term, rather than the short term.

Besides, if travelling is a lifestyle that you want: a CRNA that works locum can bank twice what you quoted for a regular travel ICU nurse!

[nuberianne_RN]

Originally Posted by hojimma

There is no disputing that this is true because by working 5 days a week on travel assignments (ICU)--an ICU travel nurse can definitely earn more than a CRNA (for the travel nurse, I think this will be between 165K-185K depending on the agency). The travel nurse would be working roughly 60 hours a week---and as I understand it CRNA's normally work around 40-45 hours/weekly making around 120K-130K *maybe*.

*the catch is* CRNA have benefits and packages that are really good, which also adds to the bottom line. but at the end of the day-- Why go through CRNA school, when you can make just as much if not more TRAVELING?

YOUR OPINIONS WELCOMED!

I am not a CRNA yet, but I will take a stab.

1. Using your figures I calculated ICU travel nurses earning about $54 per hr (51 wks, 165k/yr). Is that an average or normal salary?
2. Not many people would want to work five 12 hr shifts consistently week after week forever. Burnout anyone?
3. Are travel nurses paid as employees or ind. contractors? I honestly don't know. As ind. contractors there are more fees and taxes that must be paid out of the paycheck than that of an employee.
4. Not everyone wants to travel forever. They may not have family that can follow them all over.
5. Benefits cost a lot. Having insurance (malpractice, health, dental), continuing ed fees, 3-6 weeks vacation paid adds up to a lot. I am sure there are other benefits I can't think of right now.
6. You say CRNAs get paid 120 to 130k maybe. Most salaries that I see posted are higher than that.
7. Maybe CRNAs want to be CRNAs not ICU nurses. Choosing an occupation is not always about picking a high salary while ignoring other quality of life issues.

[LIZPICURN]

First of all, I agree you are comparing apples to oranges. I traveled for two and a half years when I was younger to see new sites and meet new people. It was a wonderful experience for the time. But, after two years I was tired of traveling place to place and ready to settle down. I also question where you found the traveler RN's salery. I have researched and researched. It is extremely rare to find a travel job that makes that much money. I am now settled and looking forward to going to CRNA school this fall. Like many of the posters have stated, I could not imagine making a career out of travel nursing due to the fact of wanting a place to call my home and the ability to see my husband every day that I can.

[fergus51]

You could make that much as a travel nurse, but if you don't actually like being a travel ICU nurse than no amount of money in the world will make it worthwhile. $54 an hour for a 60hr a week assignment isn't particularly unusual because most places pay you overtime after 40 or 48 hours in a week. I was offered an assignment for $40 an hour base pay in California. With the overtime, it works out to a about what some CRNAs make, but I didn't take it because I don't want to work that much.

My advice: don't worry about what other people are making, worry about what will make YOU happy.

[fergus51]

Aaaaaa

[zozzy777]

This really cracks me up!! I have been a traveler for 8 years and I have never made, or know any travelers who have made what a CRNA makes. If you work really, really hard, you might clear 100,000 a year, but that is really killing yourself. No travel job pays 50's/hr anywhere in the USA. Unless you are working a strike, you will never make that amount hourly. Believe me, if it were possible, I would have done it. I have worked as a traveler in NYC, one of the most expensive places in the US, and I made 31/hr. That was the highest rate in NYC for travelers.

So everyone who thinks you can make big bucks as a traveler, you are wrong!! You make decent money, but it is no where near what a CRNA makes. Plus, travel benefits suck! There are no paid vacations, no sick time, no PTO. Ok, some companies will give you a week per year if you stay with them for a year, but that is about it. The health insurance is just ok. If you have family, you end up paying 300-600$/month to have them covered on a crappy plan.

As someone who is starting CRNA school this August, I would never stay a traveler over a CRNA!! It is not all it's cracked up to be!!