Best Job/Best Money

Alpha13 · Sep 9, 2005

What in your opinion is best paying area to go into and a good job to have? Looks like anestia pays extremely well, and I would think is somewhat low on the stress chart. I could be wrong. Talk to me...

Remember that nurse anesthetists are watching over someone's life. Though I have heard that 97% of the time you aren't doing much (which is exactly what you want :)

I have heard something about traveling RN's making a lot but I don't know much about that.

RNKitty · Sep 9, 2005

low on the stress chart

Not hardly. To even become a CRNA, most nurses have @5-10 years of CC/ICU experience, then 2 years of INTENSE school. I have heard there is a tremendous divorce rate among CRNA students. Then, when you are on the job you are dealing with very serious, lethal medications in critical situations.

IMO, the best job is the one that fires your heart.

ali_gator · Sep 9, 2005

Isn't the patients life in the hands of the CRNA or MDA? I can't imagine this being low stress.

Trauma Columnist · Sep 9, 2005

I enjoy ER nursing. While not the highest paid nurse in the world, I enjoy the variety and the fact that I constantly have to be on my feet to keep up with what's going on. Hopefully, as an advanced practice nurse I will earn more money and have more autonomy.

llg, PhD, RN · Sep 9, 2005

IMO, the best job is the one that fires your heart.

I agree 100%. If you read the posts on this site, you will see that lots of people are making decent money, but hate their jobs. They are miserable. Other people have similar jobs and make less money and are very happy.

You couldn't pay me enough to stay for very long in a job I didn't like -- and I would be willing to make a lot of financial sacrifices for a job I love. As a full time employee who works 5 days per week, the overall quality of my life is largely determined by my satisfaction at work.

Figure out what type of nursing suits you best, the type that you can really care about and commit to ... then figure out a way to make the finances work for you.

llg

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 9, 2005

CRNA is one of the highest stress areas of nursing there is (if there is even a "low stress" job in nursing). They get paid well---yes----but consider their HUGE liability.

suzanne4, RN · Sep 9, 2005

You pick an area of specialty because that is something you really wish to do, not based on the amount of money that you will receive.

Are you aware that for your two years of CRNA training, that you are a virtual stranger to your family and friends, you essentially lose two years of your life. And they do not have it the easiest, even when working.

Remember, it is the anesthesia provider that is keeping the patient alive during the surgery, not the surgeon.

Celia M, ASN, RN · Sep 9, 2005

The majority of RN positions pay a decent wage, find something you love and do it. All the money in the world can not make you happy if you hate your job. I started Nursing in England and in 1988 was earning $10000 a year working ICU and loved it, the money was OK and we were making ends meet. I moved to the US and almost tripled my salary. I couldn't believe they would pay me so well for doing something I love. 15 years later I still love and get paid a decent wage.

livtek · Sep 9, 2005

I always think that nurses in US don't Appreciate what they are getting here. You make here wonderful money in US, get wonderful patient ratio. The NCLEX is the easiest exam in the world, and people always complain about money.

I'm foreign nurse made in my country 300$ a month with patient ratio 1: 20 or more and nobody complains. I'm so happy I'm nurse here. I will start my first job here soon, and I will let you know how it is going ...

I was in Africa as a triage disaster nurse working in terrible conditions for free and I like it.

If you find your passion at job the money will flow I learned that.

The most important thing in life is knowledge, wisdom and experience no one can take it from you and you will have always enough money.

Kabin · Sep 9, 2005

Sounds like you are very fortunate to be where you are today. Aside from that, I don't think it's fair, nor relevant, to compare US nursing to a 3rd world setting. US Nursing still needs to advance/improve.