Ask a CRNA anything...

Trauma Columnist · Feb 21, 2018

Thanks for sharing with us.

guest769224 · Feb 21, 2018

How do you expect the job market to be for CRNA's in the coming years? Versus that of MDA's, AA's.

Is it true CRNA's are gaining more ground and more facilities are beginning to utilize them?

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · Feb 21, 2018

The job market is definitely strong for crnas and will continue to be strong. There will always be politics and competition with MDs simply because they feel they can do the job safer and better but as plenty of studies have shown that just isn't true. Competition with AAs is very negligible and not a real concern to me. Only way I'd be concerned is if I was looking for a job and the place already had AAs there. That's a red flag and I would turn around immediately because I'd already know they must supervise and micromanage a lot more.

guest769224 · Feb 21, 2018

Do you feel it's important to attend an anesthesia program that has heavy exposure to learning nerve blocks?

With the CRNA I've shadowed I've been told there are quite a few CRNAs/MDAs that lack that skill, and it makes one more marketable.

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · Feb 21, 2018

Absolutely. Programs that don't allow crnas access to perform PNBs and central lines set them up to depend on someone else. CRNA school should allow you to practice independently afterwards and sadly many schools don't do this. Some are worse than others but the main thing when looking at schools is one that will give you experience doing these procedures and allow you to run your own rooms, not just be hand held by a CRNA the whole time.

Do you feel it's important to attend an anesthesia program that has heavy exposure to learning nerve blocks?
With the CRNA I've shadowed I've been told there are quite a few CRNAs/MDAs that lack that skill, and it makes one more marketable.

guest769224 · Feb 21, 2018

Do you think it matters much where an applicant obtains their BSN, as long as their GPA is high?

What I mean... is, does the name of the school where you did undergraduate matter much?

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · Feb 21, 2018

No I don't think where you went matters nearly as much as the GPA. Don't get me wrong if you get your BSN from Yale compared to some online BSN it will definitely make you stand out. Schools want high grades in the core sciences, patho, pharm, chemistry, biochemistry and if you struggled in undergrad then try to take some grad level courses in patho or physiology or something to show them you can succeed.

Do you think it matters much where an applicant obtains their BSN, as long as their GPA is high?
What I mean... is, does the name of the school where you did undergraduate matter much?

guest769224 · Feb 22, 2018

What's one of the most difficult aspects working as a CRNA?

Mr_Edwino · Feb 22, 2018

How much debt is too much in achieving the goal of becoming a CRNA in your opinion? Or, what is a "scary" number for debt to income ratio for a new grad in 2018? For an example please use an example of someone that is 35 vs. 45 years old. Thanks!

NADIA_RT_RN · Feb 22, 2018

My biggest concern about CRNA is that I have the idea that they have to sit in a quiet area for very long periods of time. Is this true? I feel like that might get boring after awhile.

Also what made you choose CRNA?

PaSSiNGaS, MSN · Feb 22, 2018

I don't really have an exact number. Think of someone going to medical school coming out with $250k debt. As a CRNA school will be expensive but your salary will almost always at least triple what you made as a nurse.

How much debt is too much in achieving the goal of becoming a CRNA in your opinion? Or, what is a "scary" number for debt to income ratio for a new grad in 2018? For an example please use an example of someone that is 35 vs. 45 years old. Thanks!