Am I making the right career choice in regards to becoming a CRNA?

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Hi, everyone. I am looking for guidance and I am hoping that I may find some here from any current CRNA's or SRNA's.

I decided I wanted to become a nurse only because it was what I was exposed to through my family. I have several family members with nursing backgrounds, and I knew I could finish a 4 year undergrad and have a secure job with benefits, and I knew that I could get it all paid for on scholarship, so I went to school for nursing.

I came into my freshman year exploring all sorts of options, and even looking at graduate degrees in nursing, when I came across the CRNA profession. I set up a job shadow, and have completed about 16 hours of shadowing with CRNA's and liked it so much. I knew I'd be good at the type of work, and I knew I was capable of becoming a CRNA... and lastly, I knew of what that career could provide. It provides autonomy, and it provides security, it provides me the ability to begin scholarship funds and be a provider.

I am a junior in nursing school now, and I'm filling completing my resume for a nursing externship this summer in hopes of becoming exposed to an ICU environment. I sat down with our nursing career adviser who helps to build resumes, and he asked me why. He asked me why I wanted to be a nurse. So I told him my initial reasoning to becoming a nurse, and how it lead me to wanting to be a CRNA.

Throughout the conversation it began to feel like he was telling me why CRNA might not be right for me. He alluded towards ideas that I need to explore my "why". What can I provide this profession, and why is it that I specifically chose this profession. Now I'm asking myself, why is becoming a CRNA any different than any other job that can provide me those things that are important? If there are other jobs that can provide autonomy, a sense of security, and I am good at, is there one that is supposed to a better fit for me?

I've left his office feeling like I no longer know that this is what I want. I feel like I need some sort of grandiose reason that I want to be a CRNA other than knowing that I like it and I know I will be good at it.

I guess my question to other CRNA's is... Why did you become a CRNA? Was it something special? Or more importantly, does it need to be something special to me in order for me to do it?

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Specializes in CRNA.

You have a better reason than many. I wouldn't pay too much attention to the advisor. I would keep an open mind as you enter the nursing profession.

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Specializes in ICU, and IR.

Honestly its a little early for you to be narrowing it down yet. Its good to think about what next and set goals but don't let your goals be set in stone. I would work towards the ICU job. The ICU is a great spring board to so many other careers (NP, CRNA, nurse manager, house sup, wound care, IR...the list goes on although not all those require ICU). Once in the ICU take every learning opportunity you can get and don't shy away from complex patients. Then after 2 or more years in the ICU start considering your path more. By that point your skill set will be stronger and you will have had the chance to work next to all those jobs i mentioned above. That is how you will really know, by observing those in the field and asking them questions.

hope that helps.

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I had my sight set on CRNA when I was in nursing school just like you!

I made sure to keep at least a 3.5 in nursing school, and I landed an ICU job straight out of nursing school.

As you become a nurse for the first year, focus on your career and learning the ICU environment. The second year, focus on studying for your GRE, that's what I did. also, look into retaking chem classes and bio classes at local community colleges, and possibly a stats class. youll get there! I got accepted to a great CRNA program last week and I couldn't be happier.

I got rejected from one school and had someone ask me if this was the career path for me, and heack yeah it is! don't let people get to you, usually its jealousy driven. you stick to your guns and go after it!!!! keep up the hard work!

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I think bottom line is to keep shadowing, get your ICU RN experience, and go from there. I think the advisor is probably just tired of people saying "CRNA" because of the salary. There is a small percentage of CRNAs who hate their job (too boring) and as soon as they pay off their debts, they change careers.

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That is so awesome!!!! Congratulations on your acceptance! I am going to Direct Message you with some other questions if that is OK with you.

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I had my sight set on CRNA when I was in nursing school just like you!

I made sure to keep at least a 3.5 in nursing school, and I landed an ICU job straight out of nursing school.

As you become a nurse for the first year, focus on your career and learning the ICU environment. The second year, focus on studying for your GRE, that's what I did. also, look into retaking chem classes and bio classes at local community colleges, and possibly a stats class. youll get there! I got accepted to a great CRNA program last week and I couldn't be happier.

I got rejected from one school and had someone ask me if this was the career path for me, and heack yeah it is! don't let people get to you, usually its jealousy driven. you stick to your guns and go after it!!!! keep up the hard work!

Congratulations!!! That is so awesome! Can I message you with some questions that i have?

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Congratulations!!! That is so awesome! Can I message you with some questions that i have?

Actually, Walkerrn2015, I can't message you because I don't have enough posts to use AllNurses PM, so I'll just ask on here.

I occasionally scroll through the admission requirements for some of the schools I'd like to apply to, and as you know most schools hover around the 1-2 year minimum for ICU experience. Many schools say that you need the required ICU experience upon submitting the application, so can I assume that if you are expected to have your 2 years of experience, say... 2 months before the CRNA program begins, but the application is due 10 months before the program begins, you wont be able to apply as you wont have that 2 years experience by the time of submitting your application?

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I occasionally scroll through the admission requirements for some of the schools I'd like to apply to, and as you know most schools hover around the 1-2 year minimum for ICU experience. Many schools say that you need the required ICU experience upon submitting the application, so can I assume that if you are expected to have your 2 years of experience, say... 2 months before the CRNA program begins, but the application is due 10 months before the program begins, you wont be able to apply as you wont have that 2 years experience by the time of submitting your application?

Most programs will interview you if you will have completed your ICU practice requirement before the start of the program, as you mentioned interviews happen 6-12 months before the program begins. I will say that the average ICU experience for a student accepted into CRNA school is about 3 years.

As for honing your "why" as your adviser mentioned. That question is routinely asked during interviews for the CRNA program I attend. It's also brought up throughout the program. The reason it's important is because CRNA school is not a typical degree or educational path. It is designed to break you if you aren't ready to sacrifice everything to make it through. They tell us that by having a strong "why" that you're passionate about and willing to put before everything else in life gives you an edge to make it through the marathon that is CRNA school. Many, many times during the program you will be pushed beyond your limits and you will consider if there is anything else in life you could do just to escape the pressure and stress. If you don't have a strong why, you'll most likely drop out or fail out. Each class has a couple who didn't have a strong enough "why". Perhaps your adviser is annoyed that everyone in nursing school says they want to be a rockstar CRNA with a physicians salary and role but don't throw the whole sentiment out. You should know your why, it will be all you have to motivate you during the long years of your doctorate in anesthesia when you're staring at a wall and considering putting your head through it.

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Specializes in ICU.

Pardon my following bluntness, but that's probably the New Yorker in me roaring...

Screw your advisor's advice... They are not you, they are not your values, your dreams, or your aspirations. They are solely yours, and yours only. Keep at your dream! Graduate with stellar grades, (don't forget to volunteer, when you can!), put together a plan to first get a job, then get into the ICU, then get into CRNA school. Keep your eyes and ears open to networking opportunities, work your tush off, and get recognized for your work and knowledge base. Find a CRNA mentor who will take you under their wing.

Throughout all this, you will have plenty of time to think of 'why' CNRA school. Time will only make your intentions clearer. And, in the off chance that it doesn't, there is a whole big world of APRN roles out there. One of the true beauties of nursing is that there are so many opportunities to learn and specialize.

Best of luck to you applying to your externships and with the rest of your program. You can do this!

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I have to play devils advocate here. I have known I wanted to work in Anesthesia since high school. I almost chose the MD route until I found out there was a nursing route and that attracted me much more (for a multitude of reasons). So I entered undergrad with the intent of being a CRNA. I entered nursing school with the intent of being a CRNA. And I am now in the ICU with the same intent. I think that knowing what your end goals are is very important, specifically for stats (GPA, committees, volunteer) and resume boosters. I have carefully paid attention to the current step/obstacle at hand with my sights on the future and I think that ultimately will make me a better candidate as I apply this year. This obviously doesn't apply to everyone, but I don't think there is anything wrong with jcassid3 focusing on what the future might hold. :)

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Hey guys! Sorry! I haven't followed up here for a while and just saw yalls posts

I will have 3 years experience by the time my program starts, and ya, like people said, as long as you have 1 year experience by the time you apply. you will hit your 2 year mark once you start the program. Let me know if you need any more advice!

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