I'd Love to be a CRNA but...

TexasCCRN · Nov 10, 2005

I REALLY DONT want to clean patients and change colostomy bags for one minute. I have ten years EMT experience with a BA in psychology. I love the OR but I dont want to deal with bedside care ever again. Do I have the wrong attitude LOL. I cant be the only one.
Decided law is not an option because of the high rate of unemployment and disatisfaction. Oh well...
I want financial security like everyone else, but I dont think I can get through a year of wiping, floating from floor to floor, arrogant doctors, and general stress of nursing. Just being honest. Plus I'm already 33

I was an EMT as well and however many years you have of "stabilize and move them to the ER" does not give you what you need to deal with school or as an ICU nurse. I can speak to this because I have done both. It sounds like you want to make a lot of money with not much work. You have to get through some things you don't like to get where you want to be sometimes. You will have to go through a lot more school to get where you need to be. Your degree in psyc will in no way prepare you for the level of science classes you will need to take in order to be in CRNA school. My suggestion. Go and take a high level physiology class, some chemistry and see if it's for you. You can do this while still in your job. It may help. Remember there are other careers out there that will allow you to make a good living that you may be suited to just fine. Follow an ICU nurse for a day or a CRNA for that matter. The time of poop wiping,etc goes fast if you are focused on learning as much as you can and focused on getting out. I hope this helps. Good luck

jenniek · Nov 10, 2005

I REALLY DONT want to clean patients and change colostomy bags for one minute. I have ten years EMT experience with a BA in psychology. I love the OR but I dont want to deal with bedside care ever again. Do I have the wrong attitude LOL. I cant be the only one.
Decided law is not an option because of the high rate of unemployment and disatisfaction. Oh well...
I want financial security like everyone else, but I dont think I can get through a year of wiping, floating from floor to floor, arrogant doctors, and general stress of nursing. Just being honest. Plus I'm already 33

Working as a CRNA by no means removes you from arrogant doctors and the general stress of nursing....sometimes I think surgeons can be more arrogant at the pt is asleep during the procedure. I agree with the above poster, follow an ICU nurse to see how their day is. It isn't all poop (thankfully) but it is a factor of the job.

And to be honest....I've worked with nurses who are putting in their 'time' only to get accepted to anesthesia school....and they aren't always fun to work with.......

deannicholas · Nov 10, 2005

You might want to look into Physician Assistant school. It is going to a 2 year masters program. Much less time for you and no nursing.

fungirl · Nov 10, 2005

hhmmmm, you don't think you'll deal with arrogant doctors or be stressed in the field of anesthesia.......The financial security you speak of, is partly b/c of the high stress nature of the job. Plus, the competition for admittance to anesthesia school is huge, prospective students would do whatever it takes to get accepted.................Don't think a little poop is holding them back..........

I REALLY DONT want to clean patients and change colostomy bags for one minute. I have ten years EMT experience with a BA in psychology. I love the OR but I dont want to deal with bedside care ever again. Do I have the wrong attitude LOL. I cant be the only one.

Decided law is not an option because of the high rate of unemployment and disatisfaction. Oh well...
I want financial security like everyone else, but I dont think I can get through a year of wiping, floating from floor to floor, arrogant doctors, and general stress of nursing. Just being honest. Plus I'm already 33

30andconfused · Nov 11, 2005

thanks for the replies. You guys make a lot of sense. I know anything worth having is worth working for. You gotta pay your dues. So...BRING ON THE POOP!

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2005

We pay our dues with the little things. Like, three little words that my pt experienced last night:

Can you say "Projectile fecal hemat:barf02:."

Lord, why am I here?

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Nov 18, 2005

We pay our dues with the little things. Like, three little words that my pt experienced last night:
Can you say "Projectile fecal hemat:barf02:."
Lord, why am I here?

That's not a little thing! Not many civilians could deal with what unit nurses do. Between the grossness, crazy families and patients dying all the time - it's a tough job. Which is the point, for CRNA school. Man, I do not miss the unit one bit. Do miss that paycheck though.

Nitecap · Nov 18, 2005

If you cant tough the bedside out for another 1-2 yrs then plain and simply you dont want it bad enough and you dont have the drive to get through the program.

If you really wanted it as bad as you say, you would hold your head up, work your 2yrs, learn as much as possible, and try to prepare yourself for entry.

I have the utmost respect for EMT I do, you guys have a stressful job for sure, and have to be quick thinkers. IF you bring those skills to a hectic CT or trauma ICU you will be a great candidate for CRNA school.

Face it though an EMT you do a ton of stuff in the ICU that you guys dont do in the field, step up and tough it out. Or step down and admit defeat.

allnurses Guide · Nov 18, 2005

You might try anesthesia assistant.....

30andconfused · Nov 18, 2005

You might try anesthesia assistant.....

Oh yes I looked into that. But I admit I'm a capitalist pig. A whore when it comes to money. A person who once thought of being a lawyer for Christ's sake. An AA's dont cut the mustard. Sure, cast the first stone, ye all who dont dream of those lofty salaries or CRNA's.

Nothing wrong with wanting to get paid well along with helping people for a living. I'm just dealing with my poopaphobia

yoga crna · Nov 22, 2005

I really must be blunt--if you don't like taking care of patients, please do not consider being a CRNA. What separates us from other anesthesia providers is our caring and compassion for patients. Also, if you don't want to deal with arrogant doctors, anesthesia isn't going to work either. There is no group more arrogant than surgeons and you will be working in a very close, intimate environment with them.

I am sure there are many things that you can do and leave the anesthesia positions for those who really deserve them.

yoga