CRNA Or Anesthesiologist: Should I Transition ?

Trauma Columnist · May 9, 2019

Moved to SRNA forum. Best wishes with your career path

KatiaRayanna · May 10, 2019

Okay Thanks.

Jcurious · May 10, 2019

Who said anesthesiologists and SRNAs make the same money? One makes $300k to $500k, the other makes $150k to $200k. Not even close.

Anesthesiologist takes 4 yrs medical school, 3 yrs residency, and 1-2 yrs fellowship to be one. SRNA takes at least 1-2 yrs working in ICU (counting making into icu and a year to apply school, it’s more like working 3 yrs+), and 3 years school to be one.

Moving from SRNA to anesthesiologist takes longer than 10 years because on top of the 8-9 yrs counted above, you may need another 2 yrs to complete premed classes. Classes in nursing school don’t count. You may be still in school around ago 40 with more than half million dollars student loan.

i.in2b8.u · May 11, 2019

Unless you really like being in training for more than a decade, this plan does not sound practical. Lets do the math. Say you finish your BSN soon so we'll discount that. At a minimum, you need one year of critical care experience to get admitted to CRNA school (know that this is a minimum requirement only and a rare occurrence. Most schools accept students with at least 2-3 years experience). Lets say you get accepted, now you go to CRNA school for three years. From being a CRNA you go to med school directly, which would take four years. Finish med school, then take one year of intern year, then three years residency. So 1+3+4+1+3= 12 years!!! Also, you have to consider the insane amount of student loans you'd have to take out for CRNA school and med school (not even accounting the opportunity cost of not making money while your in school). Lastly, considering that you can practice independent anesthesia either as a CRNA or an anesthesiologist, I would reconsider that plan..

BigPappaCRNA · May 11, 2019

It is a pretty poor plan and idea. Either be a CRNA, or be an MDA. Both are good and valid choices with pros and cons to each. But there is almost no crossover between the two career pathways. If you start as a CRNA, you would essentially have to be back at square one to become and MDA. Makes no sense to me. Also, why the salaries mentioned about are a bit low, it is rare indeed for an MDA not to make more money than a CRNA. Honestly, if the 2 choices paid the same, why on earth would you go back to school? Makes no sense at all.

bfreezy, CRNA · May 12, 2019

I feel like I lost some brain cells reading the original post.

Liberation · May 12, 2019

"To Become An CRNA You'll Need A Doctorates [DPN]." <<<--- What is DPN?

"Makes The Same Amount Of Money As An Anesthesiologist, The Only Difference Is One Is A Nurse & The Other Is A Doctor." <<<--- LOL. where did you get this info ?

FYI, not all ICUs hire New Grads. Not all ICUs (Smaller hospitals) are competitve. Not all applicants get in CRNA school for his/her first time applying. so, 1-2 years on the floors, 2-3 years in ICU (big hospitals), 3 years in CRNA shcool.

But first things first, Pass your NCLEX, and take GRE, take CCRN (after at least 1 year in ICU), retake your science classes (if having any C's, B's) , and/or take advanced science classes and pass it with A's, then going from there! Some programs require Chemistry (not introduction), so you will send at least 2 semester to take Chem/Physics.

"I Want To Be An Anesthesiologist". I assume you want to be MDA. Then, get your BSN, take MCAT, apply to Med school, Fishish the residency.

"My Plan Was To Become An CRNA For Awhile Then Go Back To School & Transition To Anesthesiologist" ----> Please make sure you get to know more about CRNA Vs. MDA route.

Good luck.

subee, MSN, CRNA · May 12, 2019

One does not go to nursing school to become an MD. That's why we have a pre-med major. Being a doctor is not an extension of nursing. They are different jobs.

watch123 · May 13, 2019

??‍♂️