Crna Job Satisfaction

[dreamsdo]

i am beginning to think of furthering my education and becoming a CRNA. i am a peds staff nurse at the # 1 peds hospital in the country, but still find myself cranky, tired, and stressed out more than half of the time. i am thinking of CRNA, which was my initial goal prior to going into nursing. i already have a certificate in massage therapy and 2 Bachelor's degrees, so needless to say, i am not all about going back to school for more 'hazing' as i call it, if the working conditions are not pretty good. i'd like to know from current crna's what do you like most and least about the job, without salary as an answer. thanks.

:welcome:

[terrywickscrna]

Good morning, Dreamsdo,

I have been a CRNA for twenty years. I went to undergraduate school at the University of Iowa because I wanted to become a CRNA after seeing CRNAs practice while on active duty in the Army as an enlisted man. I was an Army trained X ray tech at the time. It was the best decision I've ever made, without question.

I just finished my term as President of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, so I can speak to you about the profession at a number of levels. First, as a clinician I can assure you that I have never had greater job satisfaction. As a CRNA I utilize a variety of clinical anesthesia techniques, ranging from deep sedation to general anesthesia, as well as a variety of regional anesthesia techniques (spinal, epidural, extremity blocks and so forth) to provide my patients with an anesthetic that is specifically tailored to their individual needs. Patients undergoing surgical, diagnostic, or therapeutic procedures that require anesthesia are never more vulnerable, and as an anesthetist you must be able to develop rapport, instill confidence and assure the patient that their safety is your only concern. You have a unique opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients and their families every single day.

Nurse anesthetists are the happiest nurses I have ever met. I have traveled North and South, and coast to coast and everywhere I have traveled I see the same thing. CRNAs love their jobs. They support one another, mentor one another, and work together to safeguard their profession and their patients. I have never seen anything like it before in my life. CRNAs almost uniformly embrace the opportunity to mentor graduate students who are learning to be CRNAs. Learning to be a CRNA is very hard work, but the faculty of nurse anesthesia programs are interested in educating clinically competent, well rounded, and professional nurse anesthetists and the programs are monitored by the independent Council on Accredition of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs to ensure that not only do they graduate competent CRNAs but that learners have the support and resources they need to be successful.

You are wise to not focus on the salaries of CRNAs. While the income of CRNAs is without question exceptional, money will not make you happy! There is more to life than work, and there is more to work than money. It is much smarter to look at what the job offers rather than what it pays. Being a CRNA is an opportunity to work with highly trained professionals in teams of surgeons (and other physicians at times) nurses, and technicians who are all focused on the same goal, getting the patient safely through their surgical experience. As a CRNA you will be a respected and sought after member of that team. There is something for every interest in anesthesia. If you like peds, geriatrics, obstetrics, general surgery, or sports medicine you can find a practice setting that meets your interests. Right now my practice in about 40% OB labor analgesia (on the labor deck) and 60% in the main OR. That works for me, but you can find what works best for you.

As a CRNA you will be able to work virtually anywhere in the country, and with the demand for anesthesia services growing you will have very stable, long term job security. While my personal experience is unique in someways (not everyone gets to be President of the AANA) most of it is common to all CRNAs. We are all committed to life long learning, improving patient care and outcomes, and to being good stewards to that profession that has given each of us so much.

I don't know what else I can tell you other than if you are successful in becoming a CRNA you will never, ever regret that career choice. I have washed dishes, bused tables, carried an M-16, X rayed patients, put in air conditioners and furnaces, and worked in a variety of roles in health care but I cannot imagine doing anything else than what I am doing right now.

Hope that helps,

Terry

[dreamsdo]

That help alot Terry! Thank you so much!

[GregRN]

In case anyone is wondering if Terry's words should be trusted and heeded, go ahead and Google his name and see just who it is that responded to this thread.

Good to have you here, Terry.

[Chad2314]

Terry,

I really enjoyed readying your response as I plan on becoming a CRNA down the road, but I have a long way to go. I am currently a Penn State Nursing undergrad enrolled in AFROTC. I will be commissioning summer of 2012 and going to my first assignment. I am required to work on a med-surg floor for 2 years and then have the chance to specialize. I was wandering if you knew how the military works concerning the selection rate to anesthesia school and what my college choices would be. In addition, I would love to hear any other suggestions you have for a young Nurse on the road to earning a career as a CRNA.

Thanks, Chad

[wannapassgas]

what a great answer Terry. I think you have inspired so many with your honest and thorough response! thanks :) If you have a moment would you mind commenting on whether or not you feel there will be a job shortage for CRNA's in the next few years?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

This thread is over 3 years old - you might find reach Terry by email.