A Couple Questions

[sg930]

Hi, I just graduated high school and am now about to begin a pre-nursing curriculum at a university. I am fairly convinced that I want to be a CRNA. I have already shadowed for a day and have talked to other CRNA's. I have always been intrigued by the human body as well as anethesia. I also like the idea of being able to help people on a daily basis. I'm not going to lie the money is attractive as well, but is not my main driving force otherwise I would just go to med school. However I think that CRNA's have better schedules thus better personal lives, plus they are the ones that actually DO the anethesia! Anyway, I have a couple of lingering questions. I've read a lot on this topic, but I want yall's opinions. What is the future of the CRNA field. Will we be replaced by AA's? (I tend to think not) Also is it wrong that I don't really care for the RN field itself. My mom is a RN in the PACU and she works long hard hours. When I shadowed I saw the roles of both the RN's and the CRNA's. I think I could handle the role of the RN for a couple years on the road to being a CRNA. As I am much more attracted to the CRNA field. Is that going to be a problem for me going through nursing school? Last question- Is it reasonable to believe that with solid grades and a good interview that you could be accepted to CRNA school with only one year of CC expierence?

Any replies would be appreciated- they dont even have to be regarding those questions. I am also interested to read anything people have to say about this field.

THANKS

Sean

[FLAreN]

No offense but the C-RN-A does still mean that you will be a nurse. Is it wrong that you don't care for the RN field? Let's just say I wouldn't mention that to anyone, especially the admissions committee should you get an interview when you do apply.

As for your other question, yes you can qualify to apply for a school with 1 year critical care experience if that is what they require. With good grades, good recommendations, and a good GRE, you should at least get an interview.

As for the hours, it varies depending on where you work and if you take call.

[sg930]

I probably should have said that I prefer the field of anesthesia. Not that I don't care for the role of the RN. That would be more accurate. But thanks for the response.

[japaho41]

I would agree with FlareN that you should not let anyone hear you say that you don't care for the nursing field. I don't think that I would even mention you want to be a CRNA in your entire undergrad. I would especially not metion that you want to be a CRNA when you are applying for your first ICU job because nurse managers usually see right through you that you will be there for only one year an then go to school.

It is good that you are thinking 3 steps ahead of the game but focus on the present to drive you to where you want to go in the future.

[cenedradRN]

I too am interested in becoming a CRNA and would rather do it over being an anesthesiologist because of hours and quality of life. I love the prospect of anesthesia and being able to deliver it a lower cost to people who need it. But what is starting to bother me is that becoming a CRNA is hard enough as is without having to pretend the entire time that you just want to be an RN. I have nothing against being an RN and I know I will like the job otherwise I wouldn't have chosen this route. But I think people should stop discouraging people from talking about the profession as if its the plague. It's like the mere mentioning of CRNA makes people run and think you just want money. Some of us have researched the field and this is the reason we are going in to nursing and it's nothing wrong with that. It won't make us any less of a nurse just because it's not our ultimate career goal. I hope my post doesn't offend anyone, I just want more people to be CRNAs and not be dissuaded by those whose goal is becoming an RN because they are different. Neither is better or worse than the other, they are just different.

[shandsburnRN-CRNA]

Well, to be honest with you. I had been a Paramedic for 6 years when I went to nursing school. With me, it was no secret that CRNA was my goal. My instructors knew it, my peers knew it. When I got a job my Nurse Manager knew it and my colleagues knew it. I've never had a single problem. If CRNA is your goal then be proud of that, its a noble profession its not easy to become one, get out there and find out all the info you can, make contacts. Hiding your goal, in my honest opinion, is ridiculous.

Good luck and be progressive.

[sg930]

Wow I got some contradicting responses to that and I appreciate them all. So I guess now my question would be-- When I am interviewing for nursing school should I tell them that my goal is to be a CRNA? Because it definitely is. And about the nurse manager in the ICU. I read in one of the nursing magazines about a nurse manager that actually sought out future CRNA's because they were so motivated and they would be there for at least a year or two. Thanks again for the responses.

[deepz]

.......Will we be replaced by AA's?......

36,000 -- that's the number of CRNAs in America currently.

AAs? -- a few hundred.

Fuggidaboudit.

[shandsburnRN-CRNA]

Definately mention your ambition to be a CRNA in the future to the interview committee, it show you have motivation with long term goals.

[japaho41]

You must voice to the interviewing committee that your goal is to become a CRNA. I think that when you are trying to get your first job in the ICU it probably is not a good idea to reveal the fact that you want to become to a CRNA because you might not get the job especially if the unit has a high turnover. I have known two units in two different hospitals that specifically asked prospective empolyees if they intended to go to CRNA school and did not hire them. I think the best answer to still show motivation is to say the you intend to get your masters but you are undecided as of now in what you want to get it in.