CRNA Hours

CRNAs at my level 1 trauma hospital practice under the ACT model with anesthesiologists. They have a variety of options for hours to choose from. Some work 5 eight hour shifts, 3 twelves, 1 twenty four and 2 eights, with not a lot of call if any. Holidays and weekends are shared. Outpatient hours vary greatly but an example is an outpatient ortho surgery center. Those CRNAs tend to work a more traditional 5 eights, no call, no weekends. Go to gaswork.com and look at the postings for the various facilities in relation to what hours they are expected to work.

Schedules are as varied as there are places to work.

Great help. I know they vary just like nursing hours. How about give some examples?

It's like the op said. If you can think up a schedule, it exists somewhere. Small hospital or's are likely done by 3. Bugger ones work around the clock and all shifts need coverage. Mine is a ten week call schedule some 24, 14, 12, 10, and 8 hour shifts. With plenty of days off í ½í±. I love my schedule except getting called for a code at 3am only to find the icu patient already intubated. í ½í¸¡

Great help. I know they vary just like nursing hours. How about give some examples?

M-F 7-1500

24 hr in house call one day off, two 8 hour days back, 24 hr in house, 3 days off 4 days back, 3 12 hr days/week, week on/week off, 24 on 48 off, 36 hr call from home alternating home when finished schedule with a week off at the end of three, M-F 2300-0700, Friday night to Monday morning call, four 10 hr shifts/week alternating Sunday-Wed, Mon-Thurs, Tues-Fri, Saturdays off, O700 till cases are done alternating call with 1, 2, 3, or 4 other people, solo coverage 24/7/365, you're responsible for finding and paying your own coverage, one day a week, two days a week, three days a week, four days a week...

That help?

I have a friend who worked in ICU for almost 10 years and then as a CRNA for the last 18 years. More and more the hours just suck. She floats hospital to surgery center back to hospital in one day. Never knows where she is working, never knows when she is getting off. Call is terrible. Rarely getting relief offered during long cases, having barely enough time to use the toilet and suck down something to drink before running back to OR (never mind a lunch). It's decent money but I wouldn't want it for all that. Obviously, it depends on where you work but where she lives there are only so many anesthesia groups you can choose from, and a number of hospitals around there only used MDA's. Also, since "word has gotten round" about what a "great job it is" and with all the AA's getting pumped out, there are plenty of people to take your place (maybe that's why CRNA's where she works haven't gotten a raise in EIGHT YEARS, and they've cut benefits). Attitude of the powers that be: If you don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the #$& on the way out door.

I have a friend who worked in ICU for almost 10 years and then as a CRNA for the last 18 years. More and more the hours just suck. She floats hospital to surgery center back to hospital in one day. Never knows where she is working, never knows when she is getting off. Call is terrible. Rarely getting relief offered during long cases, having barely enough time to use the toilet and suck down something to drink before running back to OR (never mind a lunch). It's decent money but I wouldn't want it for all that. Obviously, it depends on where you work but where she lives there are only so many anesthesia groups you can choose from, and a number of hospitals around there only used MDA's. Also, since "word has gotten round" about what a "great job it is" and with all the AA's getting pumped out, there are plenty of people to take your place (maybe that's why CRNA's where she works haven't gotten a raise in EIGHT YEARS, and they've cut benefits). Attitude of the powers that be: If you don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the #$& on the way out door.

I don't feel sorry for your friend. If someone is getting jacked up like that as a CRNA, it isn't anyone's fault but their own. Anesthesiologist too.

M-F 7-1500

24 hr in house call one day off, two 8 hour days back, 24 hr in house, 3 days off 4 days back, 3 12 hr days/week, week on/week off, 24 on 48 off, 36 hr call from home alternating home when finished schedule with a week off at the end of three, M-F 2300-0700, Friday night to Monday morning call, four 10 hr shifts/week alternating Sunday-Wed, Mon-Thurs, Tues-Fri, Saturdays off, O700 till cases are done alternating call with 1, 2, 3, or 4 other people, solo coverage 24/7/365, you're responsible for finding and paying your own coverage, one day a week, two days a week, three days a week, four days a week...

That help?

Helps greatly!

Some of them hours just suck as previous poster has said. I want all my shifts together and then I want my days off consistently and spaced. 6 on 6 off would be ideal.

AA's getting pumped out, there are plenty of people to take your place (maybe that's why CRNA's where she works haven't gotten a raise in EIGHT YEARS, and they've cut benefits). Attitude of the powers that be: If you don't like it, don't let the door hit you in the #$& on the way out door.

AAs are a factor in deterioration of CRNAs work environment in the states where AAs can practice. The AAs are captive once they graduate so can't negotiate. The graduate with debt and must work in the limited areas they are allowed. They have no option. If the anesthesiologists can get a subsidy to medically direct AAs and CRNAs, then they have an incentive to promote this. This is why the extra time it takes to become a CRNA (compared to an AA) is worth it. AA programs can lead applicants to believe that there is no difference in jobs between AAs and CRNAs. That is not true, CRNAs have many more options than an AA.

Helps greatly!

Some of them hours just suck as previous poster has said. I want all my shifts together and then I want my days off consistently and spaced. 6 on 6 off would be ideal.

You might want to stay as an RN. I've never met someone with 6 on 6 off.