CRNA JOB MARKET

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'll be starting NA training in the fall. Now that I have been talking to more CRNA's, MDA's, and other colleagues, I'm starting to worry about the outlook in the job market after I'm done with school. Many of the professionals I've talked to are skeptical about the need for more anesthesia providers and have tried to lure me to do something else. Are they right? Is the job market already to saturated? Will the changes the fed govt is making going to make it impossible to get a decent job in a few years?

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It all depends on where you want to live. the fact that there are over 212 active job listings (that doesn't include the 300 recruitment agency listings) on gas work means that there is work out there. You have to be willing to work anywhere in the country. Sunny Florida is absolutely engorged with CRNAs because of the mills that are pumping people out. The western and central parts of the U.S. are fine. I even have a job offer when I finish in my home state of Utah with a small private practice.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.
I'll be starting NA training in the fall. Now that I have been talking to more CRNA's, MDA's, and other colleagues, I'm starting to worry about the outlook in the job market after I'm done with school. Many of the professionals I've talked to are skeptical about the need for more anesthesia providers and have tried to lure me to do something else. Are they right? Is the job market already to saturated? Will the changes the fed govt is making going to make it impossible to get a decent job in a few years?

It all depends. My guess is they probably see you as a threat to their job. In fact I think the need for CRNA's will increase in the future because of access to care with newly insured people and in the ACT models just cannot be supported financially with ever decreasing reimbursements from insurance companies.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

The average age of CRNAs is 49. I see lots of job openings in the next 20 years....

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Specializes in Critical Care.
It all depends on where you want to live. the fact that there are over 212 active job listings (that doesn't include the 300 recruitment agency listings) on gas work means that there is work out there. You have to be willing to work anywhere in the country. Sunny Florida is absolutely engorged with CRNAs because of the mills that are pumping people out. The western and central parts of the U.S. are fine. I even have a job offer when I finish in my home state of Utah with a small private practice.

That's great to here. I'm from Utah also and would love to be able to come back to live here again some day. I realize it will take time and experience to get back, and with the inevitable passage of the bill to allow AA's to practice here, it may be that much harder to get back. I'm happy to hear, however, that it is not impossible.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

*hear

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I've been hearing about this deficit of jobs for newly grad. CRNAs. I, myself, have been having a hard time sleeping because it's been 7 yrs. since I've been waiting to finally apply to CRNA school and now this. My background... I have been a nurse for 6 yrs, 2 years cardiac telemetry and 4 yrs. combined ICU/CCU. They call our ICU combined because we deal with SICU, Neuro ICU, MICU, and CCU patients; often trauma once in a blue moon. I took my CCRN last year and am currently studying for my CMC. I am debating between ACNP and CRNA. I started shadowing CRNA in my hospital since January and I really love what they do. I've been helping assisting during induction of anesthesia in the O.R. and often the MDA makes me put LMA. I love the bedside, but the majority of the female nurses at work are damn cranky. The critical care director of my hospital has been pushing me to do ACNP over CRNA. She has given me many good reasons, but I feel like it's her advice is not going through my head. I know everyone knows that CRNA's are highly paid APN but in comparison to what they do and the responsibility they have, I think they don't get paid well. I am suppose to go to the O.R. tomorrow again and shadow a CRNA, but I need to give it some thoughts. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE ME AN ADVICE. I am desperate for one because admission deadline for ACNP and CRNA are coming soon for my the schools I am interested in. Thank you all.

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have you shadowed acnp? I personally could not do the job, so I knew right away it wasn't for me.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Erwindt: it's going to come down to what you feel is best for you. I would definitely explore all your options, but don't let others tell you what is ultimately best for you. If you love the NP route, learn everything you can about it and be the best darn NP possible. If anesthesia is your thing, go full force toward that!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

So, what route did you take??? missnurse01, I think you replied to one of my posting somewhere in December last year when I was studying for my CCRN. Thanks, you're awesome.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I have not shadowed an ACNP yet because there aren't any in my hospital. They utilize residents in our critical care units and they rotate every month. I was told that ACNP are basically like ICU residents. A lot of my co-workers are NPs already, but the decided to remain at the bedside. They told me that NP is better because once you have a MSN, you can basically take any job like educator, management, or work as a clinician. I think what turns me off so badly with CRNA is that for some reason, the MAJORITY of surgeons I've come in countered with are plain nasty. Some don't know anything, but they sound like they do because they just have a BAD-ASS attitudes. I've been seeing a lot of ACNPs becoming CRNAs in the future also.

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aawww erwindt...you're too sweet! did you make a decision?

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