There is no disputing that this is true because by working 5 days a week on travel assignments (ICU)--an ICU travel nurse can definitely earn more than a CRNA (for the travel nurse, I think this will be between 165K-185K depending on the agency). The travel nurse would be working roughly 60 hours a week---and as I understand it CRNA's normally work around 40-45 hours/weekly making around 120K-130K *maybe*.
*the catch is* CRNA have benefits and packages that are really good, which also adds to the bottom line. but at the end of the day-- Why go through CRNA school, when you can make just as much if not more TRAVELING?
New hire CRNA. Don't want to name the group. New grad = $85/hr to start. $85/hr x 40hrs=$3,400 / week. 3400 x 50 weeks = $170,000. No call, no weekends. If you add a call here and there, do the math. If thats not enough for you check out some of the salaries on gaswork Trust me I wouldn't be killing myself like this during the didactic if it wasn't worth it.
word of caution, those jobs on gaswork are there for a reason. don't assume money equals ideal.
word of caution, those jobs on gaswork are there for a reason. don't assume money equals ideal.
I'll be more than happy to, atleast for a little while, deal with "un-ideal" for a quarter mil. The break down I offered was from a large established anesthesia group from the Chicagoland area that took us to dinner about a week ago to try and get us on board when training is over. Guy I shadowed and worked with in the past was with them for YEARS and couldn't be happier. I really don't want to get in a p*ssing contest, but $ is out there. Plus, I did agency, travel, registry, you name, keep your 165K for 60 hrs a week or whatever, the nights, the weekends, the holidays, and the cancellations 2 hours before your shift. I'm definitely glad to be done with it. Hope you all have a great holiday and a good new year!!!
word of caution, those jobs on gaswork are there for a reason. don't assume money equals ideal.
Actually, I know a lot of CRNA's who have accepted jobs they found posted on gaswork & received excactly the salaries quoted, and are very happy with their positions. Gasword is a job posting site just like Monster or any of the other recruitment sites where not only recruitment agencies but also anesthesia groups and hospitals directly post openings. Any job posting can have a hidden agenda but don't assume that all the positions on gaswork are just there because they can't find anyone to fill the spot. Also, the salaries that are quoted on those sites are right in line with the individuals state's salary stats. As with any position one should always check it out thoroughly before signing on the dotted line.....
Who really cares if travelers make more than CRNAs (obviously a disputable theory)...? I think the bottom line question should be: "do I want to be a nurse anesthetist?" Rather than, "how do I make a gazillion dollars?" There's a lot of ways to make money and if that's your goal, there are much easier ways to do it than becoming a CRNA.
Don't get me wrong, the money is nice. However, the main reason for pursuing this is so I won't have to still clean c.diff explosions when I qualify for a senior citizen discount at the mall...
Don't get me wrong, the money is nice. However, the main reason for pursuing this is so I won't have to still clean c.diff explosions when I qualify for a senior citizen discount at the mall...
and here i thought you were actually working already as a CRNA. ok, so talk with whomever about whatever. trust me, there's usually more to the story than what's heard. your best bet is to talk with the CRNAs at the facility. and not just the one you shadowed. we'll see how much you like 1:3/1:4 call with no next day off, brunt of many caseloads, etc... so, until you've been in the business, don't tell me that your travel experiences/work experiences equate anything near to CRNA.
and here i thought you were actually working already as a CRNA. ok, so talk with whomever about whatever. trust me, there's usually more to the story than what's heard. your best bet is to talk with the CRNAs at the facility. and not just the one you shadowed. we'll see how much you like 1:3/1:4 call with no next day off, brunt of many caseloads, etc... so, until you've been in the business, don't tell me that your travel experiences/work experiences equate anything near to CRNA.
I'm basing my posts on experience. I am in a program. Will be finishing soon. Basing those numbers from a offer on the table. Hourly position and have happy friends within the group some have been there for years. Never compared ICU nursing to CRNA. I was stating that I was glad I wasn't doing it anymore. I am fortunate that a close friend heads a MDA group. I get to see whats going on first hand. Plus, many of our sites are staffed by a very large group in Chicago. I'm not talking about a one time shadowing deal as a requirement for applying to school. Trust me, I completely agree with you. I'm well aware a lot of places and offers look great on paper and are full of empty promises. But, I am willing to work very hard in order to get to a place I want to be. If I have to temporary live with with a crappy deal here and there, for the right pay, I'll do it... If I won the lottery and didn't have loans to repay I'd probably get REALLY good at guitar hero or something like that. But, I can't. So, part of the reason for doing this is $. And, I'll be out to get some. I guess I am just willing to admit that. Take care and have a great new year.
dfk, RN, CRNA
501 Posts
word of caution, those jobs on gaswork are there for a reason. don't assume money equals ideal.