Crna?

Kaylee I wasn't arguing with you, just wanted to share what I have found out as well. Of course it will be different everywhere- no doubt about that.

And like you said any one of us could change our minds once we are actually done with nursing school. For all I know I could end up working in some field of nursing that I think I hate now!

Personally I am keeping my options open, just focusing on getting through school (with certain goals in mind) and learning as much as I can along the wayand having fun.

Marilyn

Hi Kayelle,

I think that OB CRNAs work the 24 hour on 24 hour off type of schedule, nature of the job I guess. I'm not a SRNA yet, but I have done some research on the subject because I want to pursue becoming a CRNA. I think working hours vary for different CRNAs, depending on the type and area the individual CRNAs practice in. Anyone can go to one of the CRNA job sites and the hours and call requirments are listed with the job discriptions.

As far as malpractice insurance, I think the only CRNAs that pay for their own are the ones that work for themselves or are doing loccums for an agency(I think even here, some of the agencies offer a low rate, or even picking up fees for malpractice insurance. I'm not sure about this though). Most of the hospitals and anesthesia groups offer malpractice coverage as part of the packet of benefits they provide the prospective CRNA.

I agree with you about the path to becoming a CRNA being difficult. It is very easy to look too far ahead and stumble as a result of that. I think though, that if a person does their homework, plan an achievable path, and is discplined enough to take it one step at a time and work hard along the way, then they can accomplish their goal.

The mountain of schooling(harder with work and family,while maintaining a high GPA), high GRE or MaT Score, ICU expeirience and different certifications, competitveness of being accepted into a program, the interview, then making it through the 2-3 years of hell that is NA school is daunting (not to mention board exam).

But.........if you want it bad enough, plan out an attainable path, and take it one step at a time, then you can do it. Good luck to you and everyone else who have chosen this path. B.T.H

p.s, I'm no expert in this area, and if their are others who have better information about the different areas discussed, please feel free to correct me.

BTH I agree as far as I know most CRNAs do not pay for there own malpractice insurance- it is usually part of their benefits package, mainly just the ones who are in buisness for themselves have to pay for it ($25K a year or so I think).

Marilyn (no expert either though...)

Hey you guys

I can breath a little easier now that I've read some of the reply on this topic. I always thinking about future goals. At the moment I'm working on my last prereq human physiology and hope to get accepted into the program in spring of 2004. I already have a BS in biology so getting BSN shouldn't belonger than a year. My ultimate goal is to become CRNA. I have always aim hign and aim for the best. What is the point of living without any goals. And if you are going to dream why not as well aim high

just my 2 cents

jake

EXACTLY!!!!!!! WOW

my uncle is a crna, he works the same hours as every other nurse in the hospital, does not pay his own insurance, he tells me thats a BIG difference between CRNA and anesthesiologist, makes in the six figures, and LOVES his job. Are you sure the one sleeping and not liking the job wasn't a CNA? lol

Check out the posts on the nurse anesthetist board. The pre- CRNA board also has some great information.

Becoming a CRNA is the best decision I made in my life. It has been a wonderful profession for me and I hope everyone will find such a fulfiliing career.

There are many different practice options in the nurse anesthesia profession. You can work as an employee or in private practice. Sure malpractice insurance is high (I currently pay $12,000 a year), but the income is also high and, because I am incorporated, my business pays the insurance, as well as medical expenses, licenses, professional expenses, car lease, etc.

In my mind, the biggest differences in being a CRNA and all other branches of nursing, has to do with professionalism, a wonderful professional organization (AANA), to which over 93% of CRNAs belong, a potent lobbying effort in Washington DC and state capitals to maintain our practice rights and reimbursement, very strong educational standards and remarkable clinical skills. We are the only nursing specialty that competes with physicians and frequently win those competitions. By the way, we love to mentor our young, and not eat them, as is, sadly seen in general nursing.

However, it is not for everyone. Spend some time with CRNAs, go on the AANA website (, read the nurse anesthetist forum on all-nurses and private message me, if you need more information.

Yoga CRNA

Thank you for also sharing your findings on the CRNA positions. Please take into consideration that we all have different opinions and experiences. The boards enable us to provide what we have learned and to share it with others.

I would only encourge any of you who are pursuing CRNA to do your own evaluation of the job. Obviously there are different opinions. I thank you for allowing me to provide my own personal opinion.

And just for the record: Albany Med, St Peter's Med, Samaritan, among others... CRNA's do 24 on 24 off. My findings were directly from CRNA's who graduated from Albany Medical College. I suppose it is different elsewhere.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR POST. I will definately NOT be applying to Albany Med for CRNA school. I've heard of these programs that have you chained to the anesthesia machines like endentured slaves for your two years. It sounds like one of those if they are working the CRNAs like that! I've been in nursing for a long long time. I've met LOTS of unhappy nurses and NOT ONE unhappy CRNA. My experience has been that they are WELL respected, have GREAT jobs, with great hours and great compensation. I am sure that choosing a great position has a lot to do with it. In CA at Kaiser where most CRNAs in this state are employed, the CRNA's insurance and EVERYTHING is covered. They work 8 hour day shifts--enjoy great rapport with MDAs and start at 160k/year, have great benefits--vacation time they can ACTUALLY USE--the list goes on. The CRNA you speak of should find a new job. I don't think it's safe for a CRNA to work 24hr on/off because if they actually had cases--they'd be too fatigued to do a good job--maybe they don't usually have cases and this is how they can get away with it. OF COURSE I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING.

That's great, I love when people set high goals, but get through the ADN or BSN first... then decide! Nursing school is hard! I was a pre-med major before with a 4.0 and I didn't think anything could get harder then Advanced Organic Chemistry. Well nursing foundations knocked me on my butt! You can do it, but the key with nursing school is to take it one step at a time. Don't look too far into the future.

It's weird that you would even post this. Why would anyone care if other people aren't "taking it one step at a time" and looking far into the future?

Maybe the only way to get through all of the crap in nursing school is to have a loftier goal and look far into the future.

:typing

In CA at Kaiser where most CRNAs in this state are employed, the CRNA's insurance and EVERYTHING is covered. They work 8 hour day shifts--enjoy great rapport with MDAs and start at 160k/year, have great benefits--vacation time they can ACTUALLY USE--the list goes on.

I agree. Anybody who's talked to an unhappy CRNA hasn't talked to a Kaiser CRNA. Those people probably have the best jobs in the country. Kaiser CRNA's definitely have a sweet deal over there.

:typing

I am also thinking about becoming a CRNA and while I agree with what you are saying about one step at a time you still have to set goals. I am in an ADN program, but i also have almost all of my prereqs for my BSN. I know tentatively where I will transition and I am making steps to get an ICU internship at a local hospital. I know that I can't plan every step, but I do need to know the steps that it takes to become a CRNA so that I can at least have direction and know that I am doing everything that i can on my part to fulfill my goals.

I am also thinking about becoming a CRNA and while I agree with what you are saying about one step at a time you still have to set goals. I am in an ADN program, but i also have almost all of my prereqs for my BSN. I know tentatively where I will transition and I am making steps to get an ICU internship at a local hospital. I know that I can't plan every step, but I do need to know the steps that it takes to become a CRNA so that I can at least have direction and know that I am doing everything that i can on my part to fulfill my goals.

You are doing ALL THE RIGHT THINGS! Good luck.

I also heard a lot of people who haven't even begun nursing school say that they are going to be a CRNA or an NP. I'm a mentor for the first year nursing students at my school and one of the student's said "I want to be a nurse administrator".

Reminds me of a former classmate I knew during the pre-requ phase, before the core nursing classes kicked in. She said she wanted to be a nurse administrator, too, because (ready?) "I don't like touching people". Seems she didn't like the concept of dealing with sick people, so if she was an administrator in the hospital, "other" nurses would do that stuff.

Let's say she didn't get far in the program!