Confused 23 year old, needs some encouragement

[GorillaRN]

Let me start off by saying I am a new BSN grad who up until a few months ago knew 99% that I wanted to be a CRNA. A few months ago I just decided to forgo that and though I wanted to do FNP or PA. I got into nursing because I wished to pursue the CRNA field. I left it because I feared it would be "boring" or monotonous, I guess I just heard too many times from others "You are doing it for the money" or "I think that would be boring to do". I honestly dont.

I think anesthesia is a very cool field, I always said I wanted to deal with patients in the highest acuity (surgery is pretty serious) and deal patients in alot of pain, to help them. The more I really think of it, the more I realize maybe that CRNA is what I wanted all along.

I was given a job in the ICU, I truely wanted ER, even put the offer off quite a while hoping to get ER. I did not and the only offer I had was ICU. Maybe that is just God's way of saying that I am supposed to do CRNA. I mean since I decided not to do it, I have changed my mind every week, but for years I was dead set on CRNA, and have only in the last few months felt different, but I think as I stated before, it was simply thinking it may be "boring" or monotonous.

Hey doing epidurals looks pretty fun to me though. I hope you don't think wrongly of me, I am just 23 and new at all this "career" stuff and was just nervous of any field thinking about doing it the rest of my life. Any advice for a youngin like myself?

I had a few questions by the way.

1. Do you ever regret being a CRNA

2. Do you ever miss patient interaction or feel the job is "boring" or monotonous?

3. If you could would you do it all over again?

Thanks everyone!

[jamieblu]

The only advice I can give you is to shadow both. Once you see what a CRNA and an FNP do, you can make a decision. ICU is a great place to start as a new grad. ER offers good stuff too, but you learn like crazy in the ICU setting. You will have excellent experience no matter what field you decide on. In my opinion, if you decide not to do CRNA, go the NP route. Why be a PA when you will never be able to practice without a physician or have prescriptive authority? Everyone hears those comments that you speak of regarding CRNA practice--but if it's what you want to do, who cares? Just my opinion as a pre-srna... You will need experience for both, so use the time to squeeze in some shadowing and good luck!

[NMB IVP]

I am 24 as of today. I started CRNA school in January of this year. I can't wait to graduate. Since being in school, I have met alot of CRNAs. I have yet to meet a CRNA that dislikes their job. Every single on of them are passionate about what they do. Yeah, the money is good. But if you go through the rigorous education, you will know why the money is so good.

[yeSICU]

I had some mixed thoughts myself. I wanted to make sure I wanted it for the right reasons because lets face it, money does not equal happiness and the road to get there is a rough one. Shadow a CRNA. After seeing how knowledgeable they are and how detail oriented the job is you will know for sure that it is what you want (or don't want). I look at it as all the things I love about critical care magnified, and all I focus on now is how I am going to get into school. Good luck!

[GorillaRN]

I spoke with a CRNA today and really enjoyed what I heard. I personally am going to keep my comments to myself on my future career until I have made a decision. Every CRNA I have ever spoken with loves their job, they have said it is simply more than "passing gas" and that they never regret going down that path and never find the job boring. I am going to just stand back and enjoy my newfound freedom in the ICU (Which I love) and take a few classes in the spring/fall (Statistics, Physics (EWW!!)). I know I need 2 years in ICU to get into most programs, so I am going to just take it slow. I think I will be posting on the SRNA board soon :). Thanks for the advice and keep it coming.

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

Also, don't forget, you are very young. You don't have to do one thing for the rest of your life - most people these days have a lateral career move if not a total change at some point. Either NP or CRNA will give you great experience to move into many different areas later.