Hope for all the people trying to get into anesthesia

[rolexcrna]

I have been a CRNA for 6 years and recently posted on this board about an extraneous inquiry from becoming a CRNA. However, I am pretty annoyed. All these threads have SRNA's and CRNA's acting like they're "holy-art-though" and shooting peoples dreams down. I got into this career when I was 30 years old and knew this is exactly what I wanted to do from day 1. No, I did not like med surge or CVICU nursing. Guess what, I HATED nursing school. I wouldn't accept that was what I had to for my whole life. I had a passion for anesthesia from day 1. I was too old to do med school so had to do the nursing hoop. Come hell or high water I was going to become my passion. I was able to get in with 1 year of experience and excelled in the program I was admitted. To all those who have this as a dream, go for it. Don't let these people discourage you.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask. I'll give you the unvarnished truth.

Cheers!

[manusko]

Yes I know the model, but I don't think that is a consideration. I am sure that will change with a strong lobbyist or two. That is what they said about virtual ICU's as well. "Couldn't be done." Again, I am not inventing this wheel, but there is a silent push for this.[/quote']

The lobby would have to change what Medicaid says it will pay for. The current ratio is 4:1 and some places are already going to 3:1.

I didn't say it couldn't be done. It shouldn't be done. I seriously cannot see this being effective. If someone is being paid to supervise the they should be available. What happens if the net goes down? How are they held accountable? This does not sound much different than the days the MDA was out of the hospital and "supervising" by phone.

Luckily we have a strong lobby as well to fight ideas like this. What's their supervision limit? 10, 15? What's safe? Whatever number they can make people think is safe and maximize their income? Probably.

[msn10]

The lobby would have to change what Medicaid says it will pay for. The current ratio is 4:1 and some places are already going to 3:1.

That is only for medical direction, you can still medically supervise which is based on 3 units, plus an additional unit if the MD participates in the induction and the CRNA still gets 50%. But of course, they are talking about RN's for sedation so I am not sure of the mix.

Luckily we have a strong lobby as well to fight ideas like this. What's their supervision limit? 10, 15? What's safe? Whatever number they can make people think is safe and maximize their income? Probably.

The proposed limit is at 6 right now.

I didn't say it couldn't be done. It shouldn't be done.

Yeah, and so goes the world of healthcare. The question of what can be done vs. what should be done has been asked in every specialty there is and what should be done doesn't always win the argument.

he most cost-effective model for anesthesia is still the CRNA only model

That depends on the state you live in. In our state, CRNA's income is one of the highest and the hospitals are approaching MD groups to hire them.

Again, not all MD's are lining up to invest in this idea. Our MD groups have also been approached with the supervision/direction of AA's and they did not choose to do so because they felt comfortable with the CRNA ACT model.

[buspar]

hi RolexCRNA,

I know it takes me more than 3 years to even apply to CRNA school. However, when reading some posts, I feel like I can never ever make it. Not sure what life can bring, but I know one thing for sure is... Options are always available if we're trying. And I just wanna say thank you so much for your encouragement.

[Ultraposh]

Why do you feel you will never make it? I think anyone who truly wants to make it will at least manage to get through the basics: bsn, icu exp.. then it is a matter of applying. If you are speaking of worries of competitiveness then yes I truly understand and I think not everyone excels in science and in school in general and that could be a potential discouragement when you feel less than adequate. There's also $ issues. I don't know your reasons but keep your head up. Also pssst I don't think your allowed to use initials like CRNA in your name if you actually are not that initial.

[KariZayBSN]

In 2010 I was 37 years old. The housing marked crashed a few years earlier and ended my contracting business. Then I was diagnosed with cancer. At that point my wife decided that I was to go back to school. I had just received great care from some great nurses so medicine was on my mind. I had relatively no college up to that point. I had always had an interest in medicine (EMT years ago) but pursued building houses instead. I had several relatives and friend who were nurses and a few PA's as well. They all told me I should look into nursing and then I could go PA, NP, or CRNA later. I had no idea what a CRNA was but it sounded like fun (being able to watch surgery). I used to watch televised surgeries on PBS as a kid and found it fascinating. Anyway, I decided to go with nursing with a goal of CRNA school. It was during one of my last surgeries that a CRNA came in to prep me and I noticed what he was and told him that I was working toward CRNA school. He gave me his e-mail address and told me to contact him with questions or to shadow him some time. I took him up on that offer. I followed him for a full 12 hour shift (I didn't want to go home). It was AWESOME! This is what I want to do. He has always answered my questions and told me what he thinks I should do. The point is... there are some great mentors out there. Find one. Don't listen to the pessimists. Fast forward to today. I will graduate from nursing school in May. I have some good leads on some ICU jobs. I have picked out the CRNA school that I want to attend. My plan is to work for 1 year and then start applying. I am 41 years old right now and want to get into my chosen career as soon as possible. I sorted the schools by 2 things, local clinicals (I have 5 kids) and only 1 year experience required. I have looked into military to pay for the school, but I'm not sure they will accept me because of the cancer history. I figure it will cost me around 200K to attend school for 2 years and keep my family fed. My credit is not good because of a BK, but I've been told that it won't matter too much when it comes to student loans. The point of the story is that you should find what you want to do and go for it! I've been told by a few people that I'm too old, have too many kids, and that it is too hard. I've also been encouraged by my CRNA friend to keep on going. He also went into CRNA school with only 1 year experience I've been told by those he works with that his is a rockstar! One of the best CRNA's in the group. Nurses eat their young. CRNA's seem to do it as well. Just remember, you are where they once were. They are no smarter than you, you just need the same education. They do not have a monopoly on drive, ambition, and success. Keep on stepping! You can do it! In a little over 3 years... I WILL be a CRNA![/quote']

Go you! That is AWESOME. God bless you and best wishes :-)

[defibn]

Those ASA when seconds count videos are hilarious

[Scooby-Dooby-Doo]

Thanks for the motivation from the OP.

I personally think that it is motivation and devotion that will get you to become a CRNA, with the hard work included. I'm not an SRNA/CRNA, just a new grad nurse. I'm 23 and I begin work soon at one the best teaching level 1 trauma facilities in the nation and have been told not to be a CRNA by a CRNA when I shadowed. It really isn't an easy route, but the light at the end sure is soothing. I've received criticisms and discouragement from many people about CRNA school and that route. But I'm not going to let that get the best of me since in the end, I feel that it is down right to the individual to decide their fate and dream path. To those of who CRNAs/SRNAs who keep shining, please keep shining bright for those hopefuls. And to those who have given inspiration, thank you.