Anyone ever have thoughts about going from pre-CRNA to medical anesthesiology?

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Specializes in Cardiac & Medical ICU.

Hi everyone,

So, I've been on the CRNA path for several years now...just graduated nursing school a few months ago and am working in a cardiac unit. I feel that I'm getting so close to my goal of applying and getting into a CRNA program in the next year or two but I've been asking myself if I should go for it all and apply to medical school and pursue medical anesthesiology before.

I've registered for some classes at the local 4-years to renew my academia (I already have a BS in biochemistry and cell biology) and plan on studying for the MCAT within the next few months. I'm still not 100% sure though about medical school as I'm still pretty torn on what to do. So tentatively, I've made the decision to seriously consider medical school in achieving that terminal degree in healthcare.

Just wondering if any of you CRNAs ever thought about or even are thinking about pursuing medical anesthesiology? I know of a CRNA who's been practicing for about 5 years now and he has just made the decision to apply to medical school so just wondering if there are any others like that. And if so, why?

Thanks in advance for your feedback!! :icon_roll

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I think you are out of your mind :-) You are talking about 1-2 years to get into med school (you may not have the basic prerequisites), 4 years med school, 4 years residency, then fellowship if that floats your boat...

So instead of spending 10-12 additional years of your life studying, relax, become a CRNA (takes a couple of years), and enjoy life.

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Specializes in CCU, CVICU, SRNA.

If you research this forum you will find that this has been discussed many times.

I think that most people who are driven enough to attend anesthesia school have seriously considered medical school as another option. As one of my anesthesia professors said, "it is healthy to question if you really want to be here; I would consider unwise not to do so."

I went through the same thing that you are going through about three years ago. I actually posted here: https://allnurses.com/forums/f16/crna-vs-mda-pros-cons-102539.html

and received some very good replies.

Long story short, I decided to stick with the nursing route and I started anesthesia school this Fall. The major reason for my decision was based on my desired work/life balance. I am not willing to sacrifice eight years of my life to the pursuit of a medical degree. While I consider my professional career extremely important, I also realize that there is much more to life than what I do for a paycheck.

There may be no right or wrong answer for you. You will be successful either way. Sometimes it is good to step back and realize that at the end of the day, regardless of what letters are behind your name, you are still the same person.

Good luck

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Specializes in CRNA.

I thought you had already solved your dilemma based on the response you made in sdn?

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For me, I don't want to go through the expense of med school when a CRNA performs a very similar job. I also feel it's a bit less stressful since you are working one case at a time rather than overseeing several rooms of anaesthesia. Also, I feel that the schedule can be very flexible for a mom (which I am) if they want it to be. Finally, imho, doctors have so much paperwork afterward and bureaucracy to deal with, where CRNA's basically come in, do their job and go home.

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asking myself if I should go for it all and apply to medical school and pursue medical anesthesiology before.

Can you elaborate a little???

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Actually I was on the pre-med anesthesia path when I discovered nurse anesthesia. I don't regret making the change to CRNA one bit. I knew I wanted to do anesthesia so it didn't make sense to tack on the extra years of studying general medicine/surgery/peds,etc... and the financial burden of paying off med school loans to end up providing the same service...and doing the same job. If you desire the title, the white coat, or the sense of accomplishment then go for it.....but if you really want to do anesthesia (actually provide the hands on care, and stay with your patient throughout the case...rather than "supervise") then I would stay on the path you're on...besides...you've already made it through the most mind numbing,frustrating part of the CRNA process....nursing school. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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Specializes in Cardiac & Medical ICU.

quote]

re: anyone ever have thoughts about going from pre-crna to medical anesthesiology?

if you research this forum you will find that this has been discussed many times.

i think that most people who are driven enough to attend anesthesia school have seriously considered medical school as another option. as one of my anesthesia professors said, "it is healthy to question if you really want to be here; i would consider unwise not to do so."

i went through the same thing that you are going through about three years ago. i actually posted here: https://allnurses.com/forums/f16/crna...ns-102539.html

and received some very good replies.

long story short, i decided to stick with the nursing route and i started anesthesia school this fall. the major reason for my decision was based on my desired work/life balance. i am not willing to sacrifice eight years of my life to the pursuit of a medical degree. while i consider my professional career extremely important, i also realize that there is much more to life than what i do for a paycheck.

there may be no right or wrong answer for you. you will be successful either way. sometimes it is good to step back and realize that at the end of the day, regardless of what letters are behind your name, you are still the same person.

thank you for your thoughts, i appreciate it! and that link was great insight as well. and even though the crna route is extremely tempting and great, i just feel that i may have a cloud over my head of "what if" and/or regret if i were to stay on the crna route. something internal i guess but i can't help it. i have the utmost respect for both crnas and mdas and am in no way saying that being a crna would not make me happy, i just feel that even after all this time and researching/reading about all the wonderful things a career as a crna, there will always be that anesthesiologist who will be the team leader...of course at a great price.

i thought you had already solved your dilemma based on the response you made in sdn?

haven't exactly solved it...i'm going to give medical school a shot but at the same time i'm not going to sit around for 5 years if i can't get in. i'm just leaving my options open i guess...i feel so set on the md route then i ponder about the wonderful aspects that being a crna has which makes me unsure. a few hours later, i'm back on the md route...i guess this is the hardest decision i've ever had to make and i've done relentless research on the two routes of being an acp. and i know the differences, i just can't decide which is for me. i'm a well-rounded person and love to spend time with family and i have a hobbies which was the reason i chose nurse anesthesia 5-6 years ago but at the same time i feel like i'm a team leader and want to be an absolute expert in my specialty which leads me to the md route, one in which the sacrifices are great. but one thing i've learned is that no matter how hard or scary pursuing something may be, you have to be content and happy on the inside no matter how grueling the road is. and i'm fearful that the crna may make me wonder "what if"...so again, just trying to take in perspectives from both sides of the picture for now. :mad:

originally posted by sigmachiguy viewpost.gif

asking myself if i should go for it all and apply to medical school and pursue medical anesthesiology before.

can you elaborate a little???

what i mean is that the terminal degree in healthcare is md and of course medical school. if i go the md route, i feel like there won't be any regrets by going for it all as you would achieve the terminal degree. while pursuing an md degree is at a great price and sacrifice, there is no denying that it is the terminal degree in healthcare provision, so that's all i meant. :rolleyes:

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Specializes in Cardiac & Medical ICU.
Actually I was on the pre-med anesthesia path when I discovered nurse anesthesia. I don't regret making the change to CRNA one bit. I knew I wanted to do anesthesia so it didn't make sense to tack on the extra years of studying general medicine/surgery/peds,etc... and the financial burden of paying off med school loans to end up providing the same service...and doing the same job. If you desire the title, the white coat, or the sense of accomplishment then go for it.....but if you really want to do anesthesia (actually provide the hands on care, and stay with your patient throughout the case...rather than "supervise") then I would stay on the path you're on...besides...you've already made it through the most mind numbing,frustrating part of the CRNA process....nursing school. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I feel the exact same way you do ever since I made the decision my senior year of college to pursue nurse anesthesia and I think we would be identical in our thoughts about being a CRNA. But, have you or did you ever question yourself in the entire process and wonder if you should've pursued medical school at all? I was pre-med with interest in anesthsiology just like you and made the decision to go with nurse anesthesia just like you so I'm wondering if you ever had thoughts about medical school as I am having now.

I just graduated from nursing school over the summer and have been working on a cardiac floor for 2 months. And you cannot be more right in that nursing school, albeit learning a lot, was one of the most MIND-NUMBING things I've ever had to do. I graduated top of my class and felt like it wasn't enough of a challenge in many senses, thus sparking my thoughts about pursuing medical school now. Being an RN isn't much different though better than being a student nurse by far. I LOVE working with patients and helping them and I tell myself how grateful I am to walk into a hospital every morning I have a shift but I feel some of the activities are just busy work and on some levels mind-numbing. I'm assuming nurse anesthesia school is much different...at least I hope it is otherwise I'm definitely pursuing medical school. Did you ever feel this way at all? :banghead:

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I am in nursing school right now (I graduate in May) and yes I would have to say it is extremely mind numbing. I am in a well regarded BSN program and although I have had to take some pretty hard classes (pharmacology and pathology--and the PA and pharmacy students were in those classes as well so I know they weren't B.S.).....about 50% of my classes are "fluff". We have to take some "legal forces in nursing" class next semester and my psych nursing class is so easy its a joke.

For this reason I'm concerned that if I go for NP (or DNP) it will be a lot more research and fluff classes. It seems like the schools just want you to take all these classes so they can get more money or something. That is why I'm interested in CRNA, because its more hard sciences and I feel like I'd learn a lot more.

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SIGMACHIGUY, I think nurse anesthesia school is a great way to go, and agree with what other posters said about the direct involvement with anesthesia and so on. However, if you really want a true representation of both sides, try finding an MD forum and post your question there as well. That way, you can read the MD perspective and think about what people said on this forum to truly make an informed decision.

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Specializes in CVICU.

Dude!

If you can do it (time, money, family), Do it, go for MD!!!

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