CRNA Question

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 4, 2020

Schools these days are really pushing for students to go on to the next best thing. For many in nursing, it's NP or CRNA. CRNA schools are very competitive, and unlike some NP programs require a minimum of not just nursing experience but critical care nursing experience. What some of those nurses want doesn't necessarily mean that's what some of those nurses will be able to go on and do.

Are CRNAs needed? Well, much like nursing I'm sure there's pockets of need and pockets of surplus throughout the country. In my facility, we'll pay for you to go to CRNA school AND give you the entire year off work with a stipend while you're in clinicals because we're in such need.

Defibn', RN, EMT-P · Feb 4, 2020

1 hour ago, Rose_Queen said:
In my facility, we'll pay for you to go to CRNA school AND give you the entire year off work with a stipend while you're in clinicals because we're in such need.

That’s amazing. Can I find out more about this?

Defibn', RN, EMT-P · Feb 4, 2020

Be certain that anesthesia is what you want to do. In nursing, anesthesia may be the most attractive specialty because of the pay and cool stuff you get to do. It is rather distinct in that aspect. In medicine, anesthesia is not so singular. There are a lot of medical specialties and subspecialties; most of which pay significantly higher than nurse anesthesia. At this point you really don’t know what type of medicine would draw you in.

I say this to tell you that if you are sure CRNA is what you want, for the right reasons, then go for it! If deep down you would rather be a physician, then don’t choose nursing at this point. It will set you up for a lot of unhappiness in your career. Also, a lot of people who want to be CRNAs don’t get into school. Would you be happy with being an RN or NP. Just some things to think about. Nurse anesthesia Is a great career and an overwhelming majority of CRNAs are pretty happy with their career choice.

To answer your questions, there are a ton of jobs out there. Are you going to make ridiculous money at a beachside facility? Probably not.

guest769224 · Feb 8, 2020

On 2/3/2020 at 6:40 PM, Rose_Queen said:
In my facility, we'll pay for you to go to CRNA school AND give you the entire year off work with a stipend while you're in clinicals because we're in such need.

On 2/3/2020 at 7:52 PM, Defibn' said:
That’s amazing. Can I find out more about this?

Hey Rose_Queen I am interested in finding out more about this too, please. Maybe PM me? That's a great incentive you mention.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 8, 2020

On 2/3/2020 at 10:52 PM, Defibn' said:
That’s amazing. Can I find out more about this?

1 hour ago, ICUman said:
Hey Rose_Queen I am interested in finding out more about this too, please. Maybe PM me? That's a great incentive you mention.

Sorry, but in the interest of preserving as much anonymity as possible, I won’t be mentioning where I work, including in PMs. It’s a smaller hospital in a larger parent organization based on the east coast.

saveitICU, CRNA · Feb 8, 2020

Right now CRNAs are very much in high demand. You can pretty much pick anywhere you want to work in the country and will most likely find a job in that location. With that said, there are many places that the market is more saturated and as such the pay isn't all that great. These are mostly in urban areas. If you are willing to look at more rural jobs, your job responsibilities will likely be greater (i.e. OB/regional anesthesia, greater autonomy) and the pay will be much better as well. Having just started my first job in a medically underserved area, I can't tell you how happy I am with my career choice. Hope this helps in your decision. Good luck!