for CRNA'S. debating NP/CRNA

skipaway · Oct 28, 2006

I'm not sure we can help you with that. You have to measure your satisfaction with your new job, your desire for more money and the needs of your family. I will just say that nurse anesthesia school is incredibly difficult, stressful and when you finally finish, the nurse anesthesia career is just the best. IMHO. Your new salary sounds very substantial to me. Is it not enough?

MaleAPRN · Oct 28, 2006

Hi,

I'm an NP too that just recently became a CRNA (got my board results yesterday and passed!). I would tell you that going to CRNA school is indeed no walk in the park. You have to make a lot of sacrifices, both financially (while in school) and personally (you'll have much less time for family).

You have to really think about why you want to become a CRNA too. Are you unhappy as an NP? Do you want to become a CRNA for financial reasons? Let's face it...a lot of nurses want to become CRNAs for financial gain. That's the reality of it. Not only is the profession lucrative, but fulfilling as well. It's such a specialized area of nursing...putting one's level "up there". But, you have to pay for it by working terribly hard while going through training.

Personally, I did it because I wanted to be one of the very first to be able to work and use both of my advance training. I am now working as an NP in the Pain Clinic with the same anesthesia group. So I'll be working in both capacities/roles, seeing patients as an NP in the Pain department, and as a CRNA in the surgery suites. It's truly the best of both worlds. And, I believe I will be the first person with both an NP/CRNA degrees in my state that will be working with the same medical group. This was one of my motivations to become a CRNA.

Ask yourself why you really want to become a CRNA. Yes, you're an NP and that's a great accomplishment right there. But are you going to completely abandon your NP role once you become a CRNA or are you going to make both roles work for you?

It all boils down to what you are willing to give up while you go to CRNA school. Seems like you will be letting go of a high paying NP job (what state are you in if you don't mind me asking) and your family will also have to make a huge sacrifice as you go to school. So, plan on the consequences...because once you start school....there's really no turning back.

Just my 0.002 cents.

Vince

yoga crna · Oct 28, 2006

Vince,

Congrats on passing your boards and welcome to a wonderful profession.

Back to the original question. I agree with VInce, think a lot about what your real goals are and if the sacrifices are are worth obtaining those goals. Do you have any idea what a CRNA does and why the education is so extensive? If you are simply looking at money, this is probably not the profession for you. We make good money, because of the value attached to administering anesthesia, and not because it is easy. It is very difficult, involves life-long education and is for only the highly dedicated. You may well fit that mold and if so, go for it. Who knows what will happen with health care reimbursement in this country, so the money may not be there in the future. Medicare has just reduced anesthesia reimbursement by 40%, so it is already started.

Yoga CRNA

Sheri257 · Oct 28, 2006

Medicare has just reduced anesthesia reimbursement by 40%, so it is already started.
Yoga CRNA

Good grief! What's up with that ???

40 percent ... that's HUGE ... isn't it?

:typing

mammothsnw · Oct 28, 2006

Yoga...I thought the medicare was a proposed cut of up to 7% and maybe 10% in a couple years?? When did 40% actually happen?? Is this applied to only certain procedures or is this across the board? One more question.....what percentage does medicare reimbursement makeup compared to HMO/PPS/Insurance reimbursement for anesthesia services?

Sheri257 · Oct 29, 2006

Whatever the cuts are ... don't HMO's, insurers, etc. tend to follow Medicare policy also?

:typing

REDJET · Oct 29, 2006

thanks for suggestions!!! anymore suggestions out there? :idea: my deadline to respond is very close!!! :uhoh3: i am very stressed and confused, thinking how hard it is to get accepted in crna prog, and should i let it go in vain ? my new job in prison, there are lot of legal issues and politics involved working in prison, i don't know if i will like it in a long run. my other question is i will doing postmaster's crna, how heavy workload i have to deal with? do you think it is easier than traditional msn/crna, thanks

Kenelty · Nov 2, 2006

Redjet,

I am an NP and in my first semester of CRNA school. It was a difficult decision for me to make, going back to school, if for no other reason than I actually really enjoyed being an NP. So, I can certainly empathize with you. I think that what it boils down to is what you really want when all is said and done.

I, as many have, had to move to a different state 3000 miles from home, family, and friends. And, I've got to say that it's not a whole lot of fun being that far from your known support systems. As far as school itself goes, let me assure you that it is no walk in the park. Not to sound cocky, but it's not that it is necessarily that difficult (perhaps because having been through NP school, I've had alot of the Phys and Pharm stuff already), but it is the sheer volume of material that is overwhelming. I am literally in class 8 hours a day at least three days a week. And the time not spent in class is spent trying to stay caught up on your studying. You will really have precious little time to spend doing much of anything else. You will need to make sacrifices should you decide to do this, and the bottom line is that you just need to decide if those sacrifices will be worth it in the long run.

Like I said, for me it was a difficult decision to make, but I am convinced it was the right one. Also, you might want to consider asking your program if they will hold a spot for you. Last spring after I had been accepted, I actually debated not going for a brief time. When I asked the director, she told me that they would hold my spot for a year if I wanted. So that might be an option for you.

Anyway, best of luck to you. I know the exact position you are in and it's not a fun place to be. Also, for what it's worth, I am post-Masters as well, and from what I have been told by upper-classmen, that will be a HUGE benefit. As I said, the volume is overwhelming, and to throw a thesis in on top of that ... well, I can't imagine.