Need a simple answer!

allnurses Guide · Jan 11, 2013

But an MD would give you much less of a life for a long time and much more student loan debt. CRNA's love their jobs, get paid great (more than some MD's) and don't have to work long hours like anesthesiologists.

This is nonsense. CRNAs do everything that anesthesiologists do. CRNAs pull the same hours, the same amount of call etc. Only in some ACT practices will see CRNAs not pulling call while the MDAs do.

kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP · Jan 11, 2013

This is nonsense. CRNAs do everything that anesthesiologists do. CRNAs pull the same hours, the same amount of call etc. Only in some ACT practices will see CRNAs not pulling call while the MDAs do.

It depends where you practice. Some CRNAs that I've known worked set hours M-F, no call, and were off weekends. It was just one of the perks of working with that practice.

naptime14 · Jan 11, 2013

This is nonsense. CRNAs do everything that anesthesiologists do. CRNAs pull the same hours, the same amount of call etc. Only in some ACT practices will see CRNAs not pulling call while the MDAs do.

Yes, I know that CRNA's do everything that anesthesiologists do. And most of the CRNA's that I work with choose to pull 24 hour call. Almost all of the CRNA's that I work with choose their weekly schedule. I don't believe the doctors have this option.

allnurses Guide · Jan 11, 2013

Yes, I know that CRNA's do everything that anesthesiologists do. And most of the CRNA's that I work with choose to pull 24 hour call. Almost all of the CRNA's that I work with choose their weekly schedule. I don't believe the doctors have this option.

That is just something hospital specific you are talking about and can not be compared to all of work done by CRNA and MDAs.

Topher53 · Jan 11, 2013

When applying to a CRNA program, do they only look at grades received during nursing school?

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2013

Someone I graduated with/used to work with just entered a CRNA program. We graduated in 2007 from our BSN program... she spent 3 years on the floor before she could get into ICU and then a year and a half in ICU before being accepted into the CRNA program.

Assuming you could get a job in ICU as a new grad, there's still no way I could imagine that you could be done with a CRNA program 2 years after finishing your BSN.

limaRN, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2013

When applying to a CRNA program do they only look at grades received during nursing school?[/quote']
They will look at grades received in your college career. Your nursing courses and especially science classes will be looked at most closely.

Topher53 · Jan 12, 2013

I was afraid that was the answer. Thanks for the insight!

allnurses Guide · Jan 12, 2013

1. The quickest that someone can become a CRNA is 7yrs assuming that you do a 4 year BSN program (4yrs BSN, 1yr acute care experience, and 2yr NA school). The COA is trying to make CRNA school a mandatory 3 years. That would make the minimum time 8 years. Most nurses will spend 3-5 years in ICU before going to CRNA school.

2. GPA for admissions is usually divided into overall GPA, science GPA, and the last 60hrs of your BSN program. Graduate hours are usually looked at separately.

3. These questions have been answered on here several times, but the best place to find these type of answers is to go to the nurse anesthesia schools you are interested in and look at the admission criteria. The AANA also has a section for people wanting to become CRNAs that give the basic criteria and detailed explanation of what CRNAs are responsible for and can do.