The Economic Realities of Trying to Get Into CRNA School: Is It Worth It?

Nursing Students SRNA

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
..... it sure is a hellava sacrafice if you're not accepted.......

It's a hell of a sacrifice whether you are accepted or not -- more so when you are!

If your glass is half-empty to start with, this is not the right path for you.

only MHO

:typing

Yeah I realize the loss of 250k upfront scares you but run the numbers over 20yrs or more and you will be astounded by your calculations. 5yrs to make up for the loss is nothing really. After that 5 you can be tripling what you were making as a RN easy. You have to take major risks to make a major come up, things arent just handed to you in this world.

Is it? I know people say that CRNA school is very difficult but, at least you have some reasonable certainty of eventually recouping what you put into it. I'm sure CRNA's and SRNA's who already have that certainty aren't going to feel the same way. But when you're starting from zero and facing the distinct probability that you won't get in ...well ... you could easily end up with nothing and, a lot of lost income to boot.

I'm not sure why everybody's making judgements about whether this is right for me because I'm concerned about finances. IMHO, it would be absolutely crazy not to weigh the financial burdens here. You're essentially mortgaging your future one way or the other in a situation where the odds are 85 percent against you going in.

I'm trying to honestly evaluate these issues before I invest another five to ten years of my life. I don't want to shoot first and ask questions later.

:typing

If you dont get in then you really havent lost any income. Get all your prereqs done and work as a staff RN or Travel while you are awaiting entry. Not do become a CRNA for 250 grand which you can make easily in 2yrs is rediculous, really.

...things arent just handed to you in this world.

Ok ... I can see where this is going. I posted this thread for people like me who are starting from ground zero and trying to make prudent decisions about this issue. Instead, I've been judged, lectured and, now, insulted.

Anyway ... I'll delete my previous posts and, hopefully, this thread will die.

Ok ... I can see where this is going. I posted this thread for people like me who are starting from ground zero and trying to make prudent decisions about this issue. Instead, I've been judged, lectured and, now, insulted.

Anyway ... I'll delete my previous posts and, hopefully, this thread will die.

Believe me no judgement has been placed on you personally so chill. Like I said of course the cost and loss issue will make you worry, thats normal. However asking advice from someone in your shoes wont be that effective since they have no clue about the actuall cost, loans, lack of being able to work ect. You need to ask someone that has been through it or is going thru it and we are just telling you like it is. You claim a loss of lets say 275k s/t school and loss of work. Just to show you that your totally losses will be in the short term lets just say that you can make that up in 2yrs if a CRNA.

Not sure your age but assume you grad CRNA school at 32 yrs old.

New CRNA = 275k in debt or lossed salary at

Works 2yrs at 130k=260k with only a 15k loss at 34yo

Works five more yrs with small raises= 700k now your up 685k at 39yo

Compared to RN in those 5 yrs = 300 k already down 400K

Over next 15 yrs now that all loans paid off at 54yo

CRNA at around 158k= 2, 370, 000

RN at around 67k= 1, 000, 500

12 years later at 67 when you are ready to retire:

Over the 12 you have made another 1.9mill

RN over that same 12yrs =838k

Totals:

CRNA: First 2yrs working= 260,000 -275,000 = -15k

Five years later CRNA makes= 700,000

Next 15yrs = 2,370,000

Next 12yrs = 1,900,000

Total Over 34 Career = 4,955,000

RN:

Money saved from no CRNA school= 275,000

Same 5yrs as CRNA =300,000

Next 15 yrs =1,000,5000

Next 12 yrs =838,000

Total over same time as CRNA =$2,413,500

RN total loss for not going to CRNA school = $2,581,500

This just goes to show you that in the short run 275k looks like a lot of money. But in the long run 20yrs from when you grad CRNA school the loss in over 1 million dollars in gross income earned is way more. Not to mention you will be able to invest way more with the much higher salary hopefully increasing return on that. Bottom line you ask if it is worth it? In the long run, which what being a professional CRNA is all about, it is more that worth it. WE are talking millions more over a long Nurse Anesthesia career until retirement compared to that of a RN. We arent putting you down, believe me, we are more trying to get you to think long term and explain to you the reality.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

BB members answer questions from their own knowledge base and personal experience. Sometimes answers are not what OP expects...that's understood with a message board when facial expressions and tones are missing.

Since the OP has deleted many of their posts closing thread. Leaving it viewable as has some good info re financial renumeration in obtaining degree and potential salery making up for intial debt.

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