CRNA Confusion

suzanne4, RN · Sep 9, 2005

My first suggestion is to shadow a CRNA for a few days, and see if that is something that you think that you would like to do. Remeber that you sare going to have to become an RN first, then get work experience, then go to school for an additional two more years.............

Picking something that you want to do should not be based purely on what you will make in terms of salary....you have to really like what you are doing in order to succeed in it.

NeuroNP · Sep 9, 2005

I had been told at an early age that I wasn't good in math and science and that I would never make a good nurse.

If this is true, then you won't make it in medical school or CRNA school either. Both are very demanding when it comes to science. I haven't gone to CRNA school yet, but I've been told by more than one person that Calculus is almost a must have to understand the concepts of Anesthesia.

ksparkman · Sep 9, 2005

My first suggestion is to shadow a CRNA for a few days, and see if that is something that you think that you would like to do. Remeber that you sare going to have to become an RN first, then get work experience, then go to school for an additional two more years.............
Picking something that you want to do should not be based purely on what you will make in terms of salary....you have to really like what you are doing in order to succeed in it.

Right. I'm aware that I have to become an RN first, work in CICU for a minimum of two years, and then apply for the masters program. Shadowing a CRNA is something that I've been thinking of as well. I've been looking into that in my area.

But I never said that I was picking something purely for the money. I agree that just "thinking" that you want to do something isn't always the way to go in the medical field. The concept and idea of what anesthesia does for patients is what drives me toward this field. It's never been all about the money. I was saying that the jump in pay was only a "bonus", not the only reason why I was considering the change.

:wink2:

ksparkman · Sep 9, 2005

If this is true, then you won't make it in medical school or CRNA school either. Both are very demanding when it comes to science. I haven't gone to CRNA school yet, but I've been told by more than one person that Calculus is almost a must have to understand the concepts of Anesthesia.

I guess I didn't make it clear enough. I was told by a family member that I was no good in math and that I'd never make it in the medical field. Anything is possible with hard work, and that's where I am today. I've made A's in all of my math courses, and I'm statistics now. Calculus is next on my list. :confused:

Papadoc · Sep 9, 2005

I am having somewhat of a problem deciding what I want to do. Last year, I decided that I would pursue a nursing career. I had been told at an early age that I wasn't good in math and science and that I would never make a good nurse. Also, it was mentioned that becoming a nurse was ridiculous. You made the big money when you became a doctor. (the person that told me this is ALL about money) That would be why I started this so late in my life. I did it to myself though. I should have had enough faith in myself.
Anyway...
So ever since I started this endeavor, I set my sights on becoming a CRNA. Only until recently did I start to question this decision.
I like the field of Anesthesia, but now I'm wondering if I should become a doctor and specialize in Anesthesia. I don't know if I want to deal with the "turf wars" between doc's and CRNA's. And maybe it's my own uneducated thought process, but in my head I see doc's always feeling this way about CRNA's.
What I'm wondering is if anyone that is pursuing this field ever feels this way? Should I or shouldn't I get my MD? I know the sacrifice involved in both fields. Part of me says, "You know? You are going to work so hard, why not stick it out a little bit longer. You'll have the authority and the financial aspect of it is just a bonus."
Another part of me feels like I can't do it. Like there's no way that I could ever be a doctor. I know it stems from low self-esteem. If I had the confidence in myself to be a nurse, then I can be a doctor. It's just a whole new ballpark. Ya know?
I don't want to start any conflicts with this post. This isn't a debate about how CRNA's are/are not as good as an MDA. This is about personal choice, and feelings concerning choices you've made. I have been wrestling with this for awhile now, and I thought I would ask others who may have thought the same thing.
Thanks!
Kara

Hey Kara!

I saw your post, and see some great similarities in the situations. The only diff is that I have already tried medical school. I did two semesters...and although I still have my "accepted student" on LOA status, I'm trying to research if it's all realy worth it. Especially if you have a family, or some other commitements one should realy think about it and explore ALL options which I haven't. I'm not sure if you have your RN ,then CRNA could be a very good choice. On the other hand if you entering any of these professions then becoming A/MD will still take you longer but may be by not so much. However. if anesthesia is the only thing you see yourself doing, the problem with med school could still be a huge one. There are a lot of factors that go into obtaining/matching into field of anesthesia, and it is not at all garanteed after graduation of med school. You can do more search on it here, but also check student doctor network, and valuemd.com

Good Luck with your choice

NeuroNP · Sep 9, 2005

I guess I didn't make it clear enough. I was told by a family member that I was no good in math and that I'd never make it in the medical field. Anything is possible with hard work, and that's where I am today. I've made A's in all of my math courses, and I'm statistics now. Calculus is next on my list.

Ah. OK, I can relate to having family dump on your dreams

Good luck with Calculus. The first time I took it my instructor had such a thick Chinese accent that I couldn't understand half of what he was saying. I dropped it and took a different section. That's hard enough without having to interpret.

maturner · Sep 9, 2005

I haven't gone to CRNA school yet, but I've been told by more than one person that Calculus is almost a must have to understand the concepts of Anesthesia.

I am a huge proponent of people having a strong science background before entering anesthesia school, but Calculus is not a class I would put on anyone's prereq list. Physicists, Engineers, Physical Chemists, yes. Physicians, Nurse anesthetists, no. As a weed out class, possibly but there are other weed out classes that would be of greater benefit.

Knowledge about Differentials and Intergrals really have no practical use in day to day Anesthesia. As a matter of fact, the only times that I have thought about X approaching infinity is when X is the amount of time it takes an intern close an incision.

skipaway · Sep 9, 2005

As a matter of fact, the only times that I have thought about X approaching infinity is when X is the amount of time it takes an intern close an incision.

That's classic!!! :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2005

X approaching infinity is when X is the amount of time it takes an intern close an incision.

Now that's a differential equation. :)