Crna job market

manusko · Oct 17, 2013

Hi All I'm currently working in SICU and I plan to join CRNA school in 2 yrs. but I keep hearing that the market is already saturated. It is same with NP as well. I'm just worried. Can someone share their thoughts on this? Tks in advance.[/quote']
There are jobs and you will find a job. Bonuses and tuition repayment have gone away and a lot harder to find. Look on gaswork.com or indeed.com and look at jobs. Still quite a few out there.

Screen name · Oct 17, 2013

Every market is getting saturated. A lot of people have gone back to school during these harder economic times and business have started to cut jobs or look at how many of each employee they need to keep a stricter budget. This goes for nursing, business, marketing, etc.

In my experience, I've watched RN bonuses go away, tuition reimbursement go away, relocation pay go away and after all these things pay begins to drop. New RN's are not getting the "perks" I got when I first started.

I see this same trend happening with CRNA's... while over the years I do see fewer and fewer $170,000 new grad jobs, that doesn't mean the average has fallen. If you are looking at this field for the money, keep looking. If you think it's something you could enjoy no matter what the pay and benefits are, then who cares about the market?

manusko · Oct 17, 2013

Every market is getting saturated. A lot of people have gone back to school during these harder economic times and business have started to cut jobs or look at how many of each employee they need to keep a stricter budget. This goes for nursing, business, marketing, etc.
In my experience, I've watched RN bonuses go away, tuition reimbursement go away, relocation pay go away and after all these things pay begins to drop. New RN's are not getting the "perks" I got when I first started.
I see this same trend happening with CRNA's... while over the years I do see fewer and fewer $170,000 new grad jobs, that doesn't mean the average has fallen. If you are looking at this field for the money, keep looking. If you think it's something you could enjoy no matter what the pay and benefits are, then who cares about the market?

I'm sorry but to say that you should not worry about the money is not a good statement imho. Would you do it for free? Most people would definitely have income in their top 5 reasons for anesthesia school. No way I could pay my loans on RN pay. Average pay is above 150k. Benefits on a lot of jobs looked very good where i looked. There are decent jobs listed everyday. Maybe you have to go somewhere you don't want to for a year or two but then find the city you want to live in.

The trend in pay I have seen is the bigger the city the lower the avg pay. Or if there are anesthesia schools nearby, then the job may pay less because locals want to stay local and there is no need to compete with higher compensation. I have been working since August. Good pay and benefits and 7 weeks vacation. Nice place to work too.

Screen name · Oct 17, 2013

The future is always uncertain. Money in the top 5 is fine. If money is at the top, I feel sorry for you.

"Mo money, mo prollems" - Biggie Smalls.

PS - I would answer "yes" to would I do it for free. I would love to travel to Africa or underserved nations and provide free anesthesia to those who need operations.

manusko · Oct 17, 2013

The future is always uncertain. Money in the top 5 is fine. If money is at the top, I feel sorry for you.
"Mo money, mo prollems" - Biggie Smalls.
PS - I would answer "yes" to would I do it for free. I would love to travel to Africa or underserved nations and provide free anesthesia to those who need operations.

What if it is the top reason? It's not in my case. People are motivated for different reasons. If they are safe, then who cares.

I would do humanitarian care if the opportunity was available but not full time because I have children and family to take care of. If you want to do that and can afford it then go for it.

Screen name · Oct 17, 2013

I gave my 2 cents related to the OP's question. As someone who has been a member here for a number years, I was just expressing my thoughts and what I had seen over those years.

I'm sure OP appreciates your opinion as well... as that's all they are... and I'm sure they will do whatever they want in the end for whatever reasons :)

manusko · Oct 17, 2013

I gave my 2 cents related to the OP's question. As someone who has been a member here for a number years, I was just expressing my thoughts and what I had seen over those years.
I'm sure OP appreciates your opinion as well... as that's all they are... and I'm sure they will do whatever they want in the end for whatever reasons :)

I'm not upset or trying to upset you. Everyone does what they want in the end. Some people do it for the money, autonomy because its cool or whatever. I've just seen many people tell nurses who are interested that if they wouldn't do it for free or for very little compensation then don't do it. Of course most would not and you would be in the minority that would. You could probably do something like that after those pesky loans are paid off.

If we were paid the same as our nurse wages then there would be a huge shortage. Of course this is not an issue because of all of the schools that have CRNA programs now and also the schools that flood the market with classes 3-4x the size of many schools. There are still jobs but i agree with you that the big bonus days are gone. A guy in my class had his tuition paid for by his employer for 3 years of payback. You don't hear of this anymore and he was the last one to get it from there.

Screen name · Oct 18, 2013

OP, don't let "the market" dictate what you want to do. If you think you'll love it, want to be part of it and be involved in it - go for it!

icu2crna · Oct 18, 2013

Thanks for all the encouragement. I needed that :)