[Nitecap]

For instance I have peeps in Georgia that work for a large MD run anesthesia group. Within the group AA's and CRNA's for the most part have the same role. So then I ask why is there only 4 job opening for AA's in GA and about 50 job openings for CRNA's. And of those 50 not that many are looking independent contractors either. Many of the jobs available are to fill positions at Medically directed practices. Just curious to know why at least in GA and ohio there arent way more AA positions open.

[CS_2_RN]

True, I agree with you about the number of jobs, I wonder about the same thing. But in reference to the topic, there is no way to go from a BSN to CRNA but a way to go from a BS to being an Anesthesia provider if the AA route is of interest. My personal opinion is that a CRNA is medically prepared to deal with patients and anesthesia while it "seems" as though the AA is just as qualified to deal with anesthesia. No debates on AA vs CRNA just about choices and routes to take. If you're older like me and have small children and a spouse, then one might not want to spend 4 years in intense study (BSN + CRNA) to make this career change. That's all I'm saying.

[KVYEng]

Wow! I never expected this to be such a hot topic. This discussion is eye opening. I wanted to make clear that I am not saying that my other degree can substitute patient care. I am not that ignorant. I am just wondering why can't CRNA schooling include enough (1 years worth of acute care)clinical work before graduation?

I appreciate all of the responses, even the ones that were a little nasty.

Thank you,
KVYEng

[Nitecap]

It cant because when a school is teaching you how to be an anesthetist they dont want to have to teach you basic pt care and clinical skills that any proficient ICU Nurse should no. These skills cant be as simple as putting in a line, NGT drawing blood, doing focused assessment of critical pt or as complex as giving extremely potent drugs, manipulating life sustaining drugs or devices ect. Dont get me wrong Im not knocking a AA's education b/c theoretically Im sure they study out of the same anesthesia text books that both CRNA's and Anesthesilogist study. The theoretical stuff isnt the issue here. Its the clinical skills. Sure in time the AA will be just as good as the CRNA. But right off the blocks their is a learning curve whether you want to admit or not. Sorry I have seen the PA that was a engineer and seen the PA that was a ICU RN. The learning curve is tremendous when they are in school. The RN ended up teaching half the class.

[fidelio]

The myth:
Accelerated BSN (1 yr)
Direct hire into ICU experience (1 yr)
A seamless transition into CRNA school (2 more yrs)
Total: 4 years to a rewarding career
Reality:
Nursing school prereqs (1 or 2 yrs)
Nursing school (assuming you get in the first try and its a BSN program rather than an ADN 2 yrs)
ICU experience (1-3 years assuming you are skilled enough to skip medsurg)
CRNA school (2 or 3 years)
Total: 6 to 10 years (go w/ the avg. and assume 8 yrs)

If you are still at the starting point, you should consider that in this amount of time you could become an optometrist or a dentist. These are rewarding careers w/ high salaries that don’t involve life and death. Pharmacy is another doctoral degree that attracts a lot of enterprising people w/ an interest in science. On the non-doctoral front there are cardiac perfusionists, surgical PAs and cardiac sonographers. I’ve seen job postings for dosimetrists (radiation dept.) that pay well over 100k. These fields would take much less time. You could work as a surg tech for 6 months to get to know the equipment and how the surgeons work w/ it and then look for a job in medical instrument sales (endoscopic and imaging equipment for ex.) its shocking how much money many of those medical sales reps are able to earn. Med tech companies like sales people with engineering backgrounds. Keep these other options in mind as you research a new career. Good luck.

[medsurgnurse]

Originally Posted by fidelio

The myth:
Accelerated BSN (1 yr)
Direct hire into ICU experience (1 yr)
A seamless transition into CRNA school (2 more yrs)
Total: 4 years to a rewarding career
Reality:
Nursing school prereqs (1 or 2 yrs)
Nursing school (assuming you get in the first try and its a BSN program rather than an ADN 2 yrs)
ICU experience (1-3 years assuming you are skilled enough to skip medsurg)
CRNA school (2 or 3 years)
Total: 6 to 10 years (go w/ the avg. and assume 8 yrs)

If you are still at the starting point, you should consider that in this amount of time you could become an optometrist or a dentist. These are rewarding careers w/ high salaries that don’t involve life and death. Pharmacy is another doctoral degree that attracts a lot of enterprising people w/ an interest in science. On the non-doctoral front there are cardiac perfusionists, surgical PAs and cardiac sonographers. I’ve seen job postings for dosimetrists (radiation dept.) that pay well over 100k. These fields would take much less time. You could work as a surg tech for 6 months to get to know the equipment and how the surgeons work w/ it and then look for a job in medical instrument sales (endoscopic and imaging equipment for ex.) its shocking how much money many of those medical sales reps are able to earn. Med tech companies like sales people with engineering backgrounds. Keep these other options in mind as you research a new career. Good luck.

Thank you. Thank you for straightening out the myth about going to CRNA school. And you made some excellant points about alternative careers, I didn't even think of some that you mentioned. Thank you again well said.

[BigDave]

Although money is always nice (especially after racking up loans), I think the vast majority of CRNAs actually enjoy the work. As in nursing, there are a variety of practice setting that can fit your style.

As far as having ICU experience, we had a hemodynamics lecture yesterday. The first thing the instructor said was "you should already know xxx so I'm not going to cover that." At the end, she said "I'm teaching you neuromuscular blocking drugs in two weeks. I have a lot to cover, so if you are not up to speed, you'll have to read ahead." There isn't time to teach nursing school in CRNA school.

The first day of class our director responded to my question that the most valuable thing we teach is clinical judgement. I consider that a direct advancement of skills learned in the ICU.

[KVYEng]

Originally Posted by fidelio

The myth:
Accelerated BSN (1 yr)
Direct hire into ICU experience (1 yr)
A seamless transition into CRNA school (2 more yrs)
Total: 4 years to a rewarding career
Reality:
Nursing school prereqs (1 or 2 yrs)
Nursing school (assuming you get in the first try and its a BSN program rather than an ADN 2 yrs)
ICU experience (1-3 years assuming you are skilled enough to skip medsurg)
CRNA school (2 or 3 years)
Total: 6 to 10 years (go w/ the avg. and assume 8 yrs)

If you are still at the starting point, you should consider that in this amount of time you could become an optometrist or a dentist. These are rewarding careers w/ high salaries that don’t involve life and death. Pharmacy is another doctoral degree that attracts a lot of enterprising people w/ an interest in science. On the non-doctoral front there are cardiac perfusionists, surgical PAs and cardiac sonographers. I’ve seen job postings for dosimetrists (radiation dept.) that pay well over 100k. These fields would take much less time. You could work as a surg tech for 6 months to get to know the equipment and how the surgeons work w/ it and then look for a job in medical instrument sales (endoscopic and imaging equipment for ex.) its shocking how much money many of those medical sales reps are able to earn. Med tech companies like sales people with engineering backgrounds. Keep these other options in mind as you research a new career. Good luck.

This is great information! I was thinking it would take at least eight years to get to graduation as a CRNA. Thank your for the other suggestions and although the money is always a factor, I'm drawn to be a CRNA (for several reasons). It's funny how I managed to get an MS in Industrial Engineering and never really felt that it was right for me. I never even knew that one could be a CRNA and when I first heard about the job (through working in on an operational improvement project at my hospital), I immediately felt something, but hesitated because I thought it was too late to start. If only I would have started then, I'd probably be down with my BSN by now.

And I will never sell! That is not my personality or my desire.

Thank you,
KVYEng

[KVYEng]

Originally Posted by BigDave

Although money is always nice (especially after racking up loans), I think the vast majority of CRNAs actually enjoy the work. As in nursing, there are a variety of practice setting that can fit your style.

As far as having ICU experience, we had a hemodynamics lecture yesterday. The first thing the instructor said was "you should already know xxx so I'm not going to cover that." At the end, she said "I'm teaching you neuromuscular blocking drugs in two weeks. I have a lot to cover, so if you are not up to speed, you'll have to read ahead." There isn't time to teach nursing school in CRNA school.

The first day of class our director responded to my question that the most valuable thing we teach is clinical judgement. I consider that a direct advancement of skills learned in the ICU.

I think it's pretty clear now. I'm willing to do the work to get to the goal.

Thanks All!

[BigDave]

Good luck!
I worked on airplanes for 15 years (avionics) before I even started on nursing. I'm 46 and in school now. I figure I'll have at least 20 good working years left in me after I finish CRNA school.