CRNA's - can I pick your brains?

loveanesthesia · Jul 11, 2014

1. What made you decide for this route?

I was an ICU RN and wanted more-more responsibility, to learn more, to remain in direct patient care

2. A Masters of Science in Nursing Anesthesia is a daunting degree. How was school?

School is difficult. I had to really study over a long period of time, for the first time ever. I had test anxiety for the first time ever. But very quickly I realized that someday I was going to be taking care of patients by myself and needed to know everything. It wasn't studying to pass the test, or get an A, or pass boards. It's that you need to know what you're doing when you are taking care of people. Clinical is difficult because the hours are long, and you go from an expert ICU RN to a student. I had people telling me how to start an IV-something I thought I was pretty good at. But I also had a lot of satisfaction when I had a 'good' day.

3. How long have you done this?

23 years

4. What kind of setting do you work in? What kind of hours do you work?

community hospital-hours still are long. My family has to adjust to my schedule, I never know for sure when I'll be home. My situation is different than some because I'm in an independent practice. I really like that, but the hours are longer I think.

5. How long did it take or what kind of experience did you need to get into an ICU for the required experience?

I had one year prior to ICU, then 4 years ICU.

6. The cost of a MSNA is mind boggling to me.

Save money. I can't stress that enough. Work as an RN for 3-5 years, work OT, keep your spending down and save money prior to going to school. I hear new grads talking about how terrible their loans are, but then they drove an expensive new car/SUV throughout school, took an annual trip to Vegas while in school, and bought a boat and a bigger house than mine within 6 months of graduation. This is a real example. You do have some control over your loans. Most people have to borrow some, and it is worth it if you are energized by your career. Going for CRNA only for the money might not be a good choice.

takingcare19 · Jul 17, 2014

Wow, thanks!

So you work longer than the 12 hour shifts? Money is a side note. I like the idea of being in so much direct control over your patient, if that makes sense. Patients put their lives in your hand, but this just takes that trust up a level, and I like that idea. It's a hard feeling or want to explain! I can see how it would be an odd transition to go from pretty experienced in ICU to being told how to do basic (for your) tasks!

Again, thanks for your viewpoint. I appreciate all I can learn! =]

nrsshrk · Jul 23, 2014

Wow guys thanks for the awesome question and answer. I have been wanting to do CNRA since high school and seeing as though being an ICU nurse and working on the xs and os of getting into school now made me want to check on WHY I am doing this. Thanks again for your help.

At Loveanesthesia or whoever wants to answer, clarifying your "community hospital hours" I work 3 12's plus an avg of an OT shift/week and was hoping that with CRNA I would be able to transition to a lifestyle of working overall less than I do now, thereby having a little more time for my wife and future kids. I would not mind having to stay late on the days I do work as long as I could potentially have more weekend time off (my current California hospital requires 4 weekend shifts/month)

Could you guys explain a little more how surgery hours work for you guys, on call etc?

Thanks for your help.

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jul 27, 2014

I worked as CRNA for 30 years and had to make many personal sacrifices . For 14 of those years I took call every 3rd night and every 3rd weekend. After that I worked 24 hour shifts with the next day off, but drove home physically holding one eye up to stay on the road for a 45 minute commute. The last six years I did just days - but never knew when I was going to get home so made no appointments on a work day unless it was much later. I missed a family wedding, multiple birthday parties, had to write a paper while a party was going on at my own house (? weird but true), lost vacations because of shortstaffing (rather frequently), holidays, etc. After call I was a zombie for the next day. They didn't pay me to be pretty; they paid me to show at at the head of the table a LOT.

Yes, it was a nice paycheck but you EARN every penny.

loveanesthesia · Jul 28, 2014

The thing is, it isn't 'shifts'. It's whenever someone needs surgery, someone has to do the anesthetic.

I would not plan on having more time with your family than you do now. Maybe you can work that out, but I have not been able too. As my 17 year old son recently said "mom you work a lot" and I don't work as much as some CRNAs. I don't pick up hours for money, but I do what I need to as part of the team. CRNAs have surgery, have a baby, have a family emergency and then you are working extra and missing family events. Subee describes a common experience.