Anesthesia Growth outlook

mace8704 · Oct 6, 2014

Where are you getting your information from? My review of your source found an estimated 25% growth from 2012-2022. That's more than double the all-occupation average of 11%. In a worst case scenario, you may have to move to a rural area or another state, but absolute unemployment seems unlikely for the next decade.

Source: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

mace8704 · Oct 6, 2014

I further reviewed what I believe are your sources and I think I found where your concerns lie. The estimated growth of 25% I cited equates to about 8,800 jobs over 10 years. According to an article on AANA posted in March of 2014, 2,000+ SRNAs pass their certification exam each year. So your concern is that there are 8,800 jobs CRNAs and MDAs are competing for and 20,000+ new CRNAs alone over that same time period. Fair point

However, you're a little off on retirement age concerns, and there are other unpredictable variables which you aren't considering that have the potential sway these numbers. If you want to read up on your concerns check out this study: http://www.aana.com/resources2/research/Documents/0806_supply_p287-293.pdf

Sources

1. http://www.aana.com/resources2/research/Documents/0806_supply_p287-293.pdf

2. Education of Nurse Anesthetists in the United States - At a Glance

3. Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

javelinj279 · Oct 7, 2014

I reviewed all the links you provided, and actually had read most of it before hand. So, to answer your question that is the source of my information. The problem I have with this data is the fact that most of the reports are based on projected needs from data collected 10-25 years ago. In the AANA "At a glance" report it suggests current graduates to be 44,000 (3/2014), while the "occupational outlook" suggests a growth of 25% by 2022. A percentage represented by a need for roughly 40,000 CRNA's by 2022. Not of the reports consider recent changes in the healthcare structure. The PDF research document was written in 2006, about 9 years ago, before the current administrations corporate bailouts and various other economic decrees. My take is that the market projections based on this aged data are no longer valid.

mace8704 · Oct 7, 2014

I reviewed all the links you provided, and actually had read most of it before hand. So, to answer your question that is the source of my information. The problem I have with this data is the fact that most of the reports are based on projected needs from data collected 10-25 years ago. In the AANA "At a glance" report it suggests current graduates to be 44,000 (3/2014), while the "occupational outlook" suggests a growth of 25% by 2022. A percentage represented by a need for roughly 40,000 CRNA's by 2022. Not of the reports consider recent changes in the healthcare structure. The PDF research document was written in 2006, about 9 years ago, before the current administrations corporate bailouts and various other economic decrees. My take is that the market projections based on this aged data are no longer valid.

Well, I'm not sure if corporate bailouts from 2008 are having a significant impact on the future job prospects of CRNAs. However, it appears the Affordable Care Act will increase demand for CRNAs due to more Americans having health insurance. However, it appears CRNAs salaries may worsen as a result lower reimbursement rates.

If you want to absolutely minimize risk of unemployment as an APRN then NPs have the best job prospects by a long shot

guest769224 · Oct 7, 2014

If you want the absolutely minimize risk of unemployment as an APRN then the NP has the best job prospects by a long shot

Hasn't it been established that NP's are even more saturated then CRNA's though?

I've read that NP/PA are fast becoming saturated. No idea if that's true, but I know we have many more NP's out there than nurse anesthetist's.

mace8704 · Oct 7, 2014

Hasn't it been established that NP's are even more saturated then CRNA's though?
I've read that NP/PA are fast becoming saturated. No idea if that's true, but I know we have many more NP's out there than nurse anesthetist's.

Haven't read that before, and was basing my opinion off of the excellent estimated growth of 34%, 37,000 jobs, according to the BLS. However as Javelinj279 previously pointed out, the information from the BLS conflicts with AANP. For instance according to the BLS, there will be 147,000 NP jobs by 2022, but the AANP said there were 192,000 practicing NPs back in 2013. Also according to the AANP, 14,000 new NPs completed graduate school in 2012. Therefore, I have no idea what to believe due to the conflicting numbers.

Source: http://www.aanp.org/all-about-nps/np-fact-sheet

IndiCRNA · Oct 7, 2014

Hasn't it been established that NP's are even more saturated then CRNA's though?
I've read that NP/PA are fast becoming saturated. No idea if that's true, but I know we have many more NP's out there than nurse anesthetist's.

There seems to be PLENTY of NP jobs out there. Search USAjobs for NP jobs. I would say that the number of jobs available argues against saturation. On the other hand the relatively low pay being offered argues in favor of saturation so I don't know.

As for CRNA, the CRNA training will, by 2025 be the same length as medical school (3 years). I think that the (sort of) new 3 year medical schools will compete with the 3 year CRNA programs for the best and brightest candidates.

IndiCRNA · Oct 7, 2014

Haven't read that before, and was basing my opinion off of the excellent estimated growth of 34%, 37,000 jobs, according to the BLS.

I would be careful using numbers from those buffoons over at BLS. Those are the idiots who are still claiming a nursing shortage.

allnurses Guide · Oct 7, 2014

I think there is enough evidence to suggest there will be plenty of jobs and job growth in the CRNA profession. There isn't a need to fear coming into the CRNA profession, but where this comes a problem is when someone wants to become a CRNA and will only accept a position in one demographic area. There are many regions of the country that are saturated with anesthesia providers, and it will be hard to find a decent salary as new graduate in those areas.

javelinj279 · Oct 28, 2014

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Fair point about BLS statistics and so called shortages. It's somewhat of a relief to know that rural jobs are the way to go as a CRNA. Personally, while its nice to visit, I have no desire to live inside city limits or in suburban areas.

It's certainly a huge professional step, as well as financial investment and I appreciate all of your insights. As such, I am finishing up my application for what I hope to be a July 15' start date. One of the greatest determining factors for me has been time. While all programs of any sort consume our time, and while a CRNA program seemingly requires the greatest dedication on the front end, in the long term term... family, friends and time away from our profession is what is important. I feel like as a CRNA our efforts allow for a healthy work balance which can easily satiate the aforementioned importances. Do any CRNA's out there feel as though this is incorrect and that the profession/work environment consumes you and your life in such a way that these things are placed on the proverbial back burner?

loveanesthesia · Oct 29, 2014

Most of my CRNA friends work a lot, and their schedule can prevent them from attending family events on occasion. Depends of what you call work/life balance.