CRNA glass ceiling??

Is being a CRNA the pinnacle of a nursing career? Are there other options for advancement after becoming a CRNA?

[yoga crna]

That is an interesting question and I am not sure there is a definitive answer. But I will try to offer my perspective.

Anesthesia is primarily a clinical field, whereby most of us are happy and comfortable in the operating room administering anesthesia.

There are other options such as management, education, consulting and other opportunities. I know a CRNA who works for the FDA, a number who have set up sucessful related businesses, such as agencies, CE, selling anesthesia equipment and a large variety of unrelated businesses.

Because CRNAs are highly intelligent and ambitious people, they are always looking for ways to expand their horizons.

I don't think there is a glass ceiling in anesthesia, in the clinical setting. You do your work, get well-paid and get your satisfaction from both. I also believe that the highest income is made by those in clinical practice, which also goes against the concept of glass ceiling.

If clinical anesthesia is not your PRIMARY motive for going into anesthesia, you may want to reconsider and go into nursing management or education, where there is less to learn and considerably less stress.

Just my thoughts. I will be interested to read what others say. Losianne--you always have a good perspective.

'Yoga CRNA

[dreamon]

Thank you yoga crna for your answer. Someone else had brought this up elsewhere, but no one answered. So I decided to post it here. It was somethng I hadn't seen brought up before.

I know if I am able to become a CRNA, just passing gas will be good enough for me!! Thanks again!

[pnurseuwm]

What is the difference between anesthesia in a "clinical" setting as opposed to operating room anesthesia? When people say "clincal" what exactly do they mean?

[meandragonbrett]

Clinical setting would be actually giiving anesthesia.... non-clinical would be in an office.

[yoga crna]

Clinical means administering anesthesia or supervision students administering anesthesia.

Yoga

[momcrna]

Thanks for the post yoga CRNA. I wanted to give a little different perspective on the ease of management as being less stressful. Ten years of management and so many worries every day about trying to maintain excellent experiences and outcomes for patients and their families when they are in need of our units. This is while worrying constantly how to keep all of the staff who I respect so greatly employed in the face of constant cutbacks and layoffs. Worrying about them and their families. Trying to help them advance in their careers if they want to do so. Also getting calls 24/7 for staffing shortages and working so many night shifts and weekend shifts to fill "holes" that I often could not get to the work that staff members never see. That is the work that keeps the units running and everyone employed and programs moving forward to be better than they were last year or five years ago. I have enjoyed it immensely as I knew I was making a difference in lives. But, life brings changes and now is the time for me to transition to become a different piece in the quilt. I enjoyed being a staff RN, I enjoyed being a manager and I hope I will embrace anesthetist in the same way.

[ragingmomster, BSN, MSN, RN]

Just because the CRNA term came up, I have to plug the book I am currently reading ( borrowed from the library, no monetary gain here for me). It is titled Complications, a surgeons notes on an imperfect science by Atul Gawande. Very interesting reading about how MD's are not gods.

[meandragonbrett]

Raging,

I've read that. It's a great read! I enjoyed it a lot.

Brett