Should I do CRNA school?

[MarkHammerschmidt]

Hi all. I've been an RN for 24 damn years now, the past 20 in one ICU or another. I like the tech side of the ICU, I like PA lines and toys and drips and all that, and so CRNA sort of seems like the natural outgrowth of that. But do I really want to bust the domestic budget for two years while I go to school full time, just to spend my days in the OR with a bunch of surgeons? I just dunno. Any relevant commentary from the group? Thanks in advance.

[catlady, BSN, RN]

Geez, I read this post on sci.med.nursing, then I read it on Nursing Spectrum's board, and now I am reading the exact same post here. So which "group" are you asking?

Seems like you should talk to some CRNAs at your hospital. I understand that anesthesia school is brutal, so I should think you'd really have to want to be a CRNA to endure it.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Don't you know that CRNA school is "nurse heaven" where all good ICU nurses eventually go?! (I'm joking, I'm joking). If you are stymied and ready for a change, GO FOR IT!!! You certainly have the credentials and experience.

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

The only one who can answer that question is yourself!! I'm not an SRNA yet but I know that it is a HUGE committment. Are you willing to live frugally for 2 years to pay for school, take out loans, spend less time with your friends/family, etc?? If you decide to go, will your family be supportive of you? Why is it that you want to go to CRNA school? Is it because you're burnt out with ICU nursing, or does anesthesia just really interest you? Just some things to think about....