Am I wrong to say?

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When people ask me why got into nursing, I tell them the main reason is because I want to get into anesthesia. I often get weird looks like I said something wrong. If I were to get asked this same question in an interview for CRNA school, do I tell them the only reason I got into the nursing profession was to become a CRNA or make up a good lie?

Carolinapooh,

How impressive are you? My god, you have really hit the nail on the head and I, for one, appreciate it so much! I am going to save your reply to a word doc. with your permission so I can read it over again on days when I am feeling a little unsure. You have a great way of putting things that make so much sense. Thanks.

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wow, nice post carolinapooh, thanks for the words of encouragement. yes, i do care about people, and yes, i intend to be proficient of this art and to be the best practitioner i can be without regards to extrinsic motivators..

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Carolinapooh,

I agree with you completely, but unfortunately there is a "stigma" surrounding nurses who want to go to NA school. It is not the same for nurses who want to go for their NP or CNS. Don't know why it is, it is just my experience and have heard the same from others.

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Carolinapooh,

I agree with you completely, but unfortunately there is a "stigma" surrounding nurses who want to go to NA school. It is not the same for nurses who want to go for their NP or CNS. Don't know why it is, it is just my experience and have heard the same from others.

Wow - thanks for the complements. :thankya:

I know there's a stigma. I don't doubt it. I just think it's garbage.

I just don't think that folks should let that bother them, though. Because the stigma is the problem of the person who imposes it, not the pursuer of a dream.

GOOD LUCK to all of us. :monkeydance:

Edit to add: I wouldn't be surprised if this "stigma" isn't attached tightly to the large paychecks commanded by CRNAs. Which also means it's snuggled, in quite a few cases, in with jealousy.

IMO, we're ALL underpaid!

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Carolinapooh,

How impressive are you? My god, you have really hit the nail on the head and I, for one, appreciate it so much! I am going to save your reply to a word doc. with your permission so I can read it over again on days when I am feeling a little unsure. You have a great way of putting things that make so much sense. Thanks.

I would be honored and do thank you.

:monkeydance:

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:yelclap: To gatermac, carolina, deepz, etc..

TO the OP;

I have wanted to become a CRNA since I first learned of them at approx. age 12, well over 20 years ago. This was well before I had any idea about the financial rewards of the career, in fact I NEVER even looked into that aspect of until about five years ago. Unfortunately life circumstances prevented me from obtaining this dream career, but recently things have changed and I am on the fast track to reaching my dream. I became a mother very young and needed to get a career FAST, so I entered a program that involved the skills that I wanted to be doing anyway and also one that had a seat for me the soonest. I have been a respiratory therapist for over 12 years now and recently completed my RN. I entered RN school a couple of years ago with the full intention of becoming a CRNA, otherwise I would have just remained a RRT. Too bad they don't let RRT's with BS degrees enter CRNA school. (BTW, I understand why they don't). There was no other reason for me to become a nurse other than to someday practice as a NA and if that makes me a bad nurse in some other nurses/crna's eyes, well that is most definately their problem.

Go for it, I am.

Lisa RRT and RN

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wow, nice post carolinapooh, thanks for the words of encouragement. yes, i do care about people, and yes, i intend to be proficient of this art and to be the best practitioner i can be without regards to extrinsic motivators..

That's what I like to hear. Good luck to you.

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I know a number of CRNAs who were children of CRNAs and wanted to follow in their parents footsteps. I would bet they knew what their career goal was and made it clear from the beginning.

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Specializes in I know stuff ;).

wow

While i do see the "nurses eating their young" phenom. i didnt realise there was some stigma to advanced practice nursing, NP or NA. I guess i have been lucky that the people around me were very excited for me and supportive where i work. Is that not usual?

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There is absolutely nothing wrong with career goals and having your eye on the prize from the beginning. It's the norm for any other professions, so why should nursing be any different? Just foolhardy to think otherwise. I know of at least one nurse that wanted to be a crna and made no bones about it. He preceded me a few years in cvicu, "did his time" and went to na school. He has been a crna for many years now and is an outstanding practioner. In fact, my wife who is a pacu rn, handpicked him to do her epidural, etc with our first child! Goals obtained by hard work.....the American Way!

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wow

While i do see the "nurses eating their young" phenom. i didnt realise there was some stigma to advanced practice nursing, NP or NA. I guess i have been lucky that the people around me were very excited for me and supportive where i work. Is that not usual?

Its not just Nursing pretty much everyone in Hlth care eats their young. MD residents get beat down, as do many SRNA's. Doesnt matter if you have things totally planned out for your case, someone can and will just walk in the room and tell you what are you stupid, we are doing it this way. This even though someone else told you last we that the way this a hole wants to do it was wrong. Thats just the climate this system has evolved and though stupid people feel the need to dish out what they took when they where at that level. I know your a Canadian Mate, most Canadians I have met have been pretty cool and chill. Depending on where you train, esp if its a large facility you will be in for a rude awakening for sure. You will see the true aggressiveness of your new country and the bigwig attitudes that most have. From what I have heard NP's dont eat their young as much but the attitudes on NPs and CRNA's are totally different many thinking we are quite cocky though really just confident which you have displayed here and been misunderstood here a few times. ANyways gotta jet, good luck with your admissions, hope you get in.

In rereading the ealier posts yes their is a stigma, esp with Nursing supervisors, directors and even educators. My old ICU director didnt like the fact many wanted CRNA school but was totally supportive and encouraging of NP school since most NPs can still many times work full time while in school. Right b/f i left I was pumped and pumping a bunch of RN's there to apply and she told me she didnt like all the CRNA talk. Other RN's are merely jealous especially about the money. RN's and RN educators and even directors of 20 plus year wont and will never make as much as many new grad CRNA's and it chaps their a$$es. But hey school is there for those that have the balls to step up and do the damn thing. Anyone that have the want, the drive and the brains can do anything they want to.

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Specializes in I know stuff ;).

Well said nitecap.

I really havent had alot of negative experience so far, but i have heard alot from the CRNAs ive met and some of my friends working in the OR. Different atmosphere than im used to.

My plan in the OR is to nod and say "Yes Sir Yes Mame". I might even add in a little "may i have another?" for good measure :p. Like any school, the name of the game is falling in line.

Yup im Canadian ;) Ive been in the states now for about 7 years and i have to say that ive only had good experiences here. I have seen some people dismiss the idea of midlevel work or going to med school to other RNs.Alot of times it seems that is due to their own inability, or disinterest in moving ahead themselves. Its an odd dynamic.

Its not just Nursing pretty much everyone in Hlth care eats their young. MD residents get beat down, as do many SRNA's. Doesnt matter if you have things totally planned out for your case, someone can and will just walk in the room and tell you what are you stupid, we are doing it this way. This even though someone else told you last we that the way this a hole wants to do it was wrong. Thats just the climate this system has evolved and though stupid people feel the need to dish out what they took when they where at that level. I know your a Canadian Mate, most Canadians I have met have been pretty cool and chill. Depending on where you train, esp if its a large facility you will be in for a rude awakening for sure. You will see the true aggressiveness of your new country and the bigwig attitudes that most have. From what I have heard NP's dont eat their young as much but the attitudes on NPs and CRNA's are totally different many thinking we are quite cocky though really just confident which you have displayed here and been misunderstood here a few times. ANyways gotta jet, good luck with your admissions, hope you get in.

In rereading the ealier posts yes their is a stigma, esp with Nursing supervisors, directors and even educators. My old ICU director didnt like the fact many wanted CRNA school but was totally supportive and encouraging of NP school since most NPs can still many times work full time while in school. Right b/f i left I was pumped and pumping a bunch of RN's there to apply and she told me she didnt like all the CRNA talk. Other RN's are merely jealous especially about the money. RN's and RN educators and even directors of 20 plus year wont and will never make as much as many new grad CRNA's and it chaps their a$$es. But hey school is there for those that have the balls to step up and do the damn thing. Anyone that have the want, the drive and the brains can do anything they want to.

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