debating nursing career change: Is CRNA right for me?

badgernurse · Jul 5, 2005

Your reasons of wanting to better yourself and wanting something more are a start. However, like it's been said before, what good is money if you hate your job? You really have to explore the job itself before you make any further decisions about how you're going to go about schooling. Shadowing a CRNA for at least 3 days can give you an idea of what you'll be doing and what kind of issues you'll face day to day. I might suggest you shadow more than one or someone other than your friend because I don't think anyone can be a CRNA.

Then if you think you may want to pursue this, get a job in a busy surgical ICU like a CVICU that does a lot of cases. This will give you a stronger knowledge base regarding pharmacology, physiology and technology. This may also build your confidence and you'll get the code experience.

I'm not a CRNA, I'm in the application process but the people I know that get into school are very driven and have really researched the profession thoroughly because of the extreme committment the program takes. After you do decide this is what you want to do, make sure you have a heart to heart with your family (especially you husband) to make sure you will have the support you will need for 2-3 years. Good luck!

aaac · Jul 5, 2005

Your reasons of wanting to better yourself and wanting something more are a start. However, like it's been said before, what good is money if you hate your job? You really have to explore the job itself before you make any further decisions about how you're going to go about schooling. Shadowing a CRNA for at least 3 days can give you an idea of what you'll be doing and what kind of issues you'll face day to day. I might suggest you shadow more than one or someone other than your friend because I don't think anyone can be a CRNA.
Then if you think you may want to pursue this, get a job in a busy surgical ICU like a CVICU that does a lot of cases. This will give you a stronger knowledge base regarding pharmacology, physiology and technology. This may also build your confidence and you'll get the code experience.
I'm not a CRNA, I'm in the application process but the people I know that get into school are very driven and have really researched the profession thoroughly because of the extreme committment the program takes. After you do decide this is what you want to do, make sure you have a heart to heart with your family (especially you husband) to make sure you will have the support you will need for 2-3 years. Good luck!

Thanks! to shadow a CRNA do you just call an agency and ask to shadow? I would not want to come across as a burden. I guess I could ask my friend as well. What is the reason that most CRNA's desire to become one? Do you know what motivates them to want to do it?

badgernurse · Jul 5, 2005

I better just speak for myself as far as motivation: At one time I started my own business wanting to become an independent contractor for my nursing services. Sort of like a one person agency. I like the idea of more autonomy and independence in practice. I saw this with APNs that I worked with. Once I started researching the field I was very impressed with the sense of unity, ownership and professionalism of CRNAs. Every CRNA I know loves his/her job, there is a great deal of job satisfaction that I just don't see in nursing. As a matter of fact, many of the things I've listed I haven't experienced as an RN.

Money is a motivator for some but I think it's an added benefit of being satisfied in a job. Many CRNAs will tell you that they would still practice as a CRNA if the pay wasn't as great.

As far as shadowing, ask your friend if he knows a CRNA to shadow. Otherwise, network. Do CRNAs work in your hospital? That's a good place to start.

kabarnes · Jul 8, 2005

I was very happy to come across this thread. I have been wondering about the same things. I have been a nurse for about seven years and I have always known that I wanted to get an advanced practice degree, but I always thought I would be an NP. Lately I have been more interested in CRNA, the money is attractive, but I think I would really enjoy doing the job. I love the ICU, I love science and seeing what effects drugs have on the body amazes me. However, I do have the dilemma of family. I have a one year old son and one on the way. My husband is in the Army and we are going to try to coordinate graduate school together around Fall '07. He will still get his army pay while they pay for master's and I could get my CRNA. However, I am still uncertain about embarking on this journey with two small children. Then I start to think when would be a good time when they are older. I am not that old, I will be 30 next year, but it would be nice to be practicing as a CRNA by the time I am in my late 30s. I se all these posts about how much time you have to put into school and what a strain it is and I wonder, am I being selfish. I wish I really could hear from others out there that go to school and have small children and how they juggle it all. Sorry so long, just alot on my mind.

AmiK25 · Jul 8, 2005

I think it can definitely be done with small children but I don't know how easy it would be with both of you in grad school. How intense would your husband's program be? As an SRNA, you will spend an average of 60-80 hours a week devoted to school. This would be much easier to do with your hubby around to take care of the children, cook, clean, etc....maybe you could stagger your graduate programs. If not, I know there are single parents who have succeeded in CRNA school so I'm sure there is a way to do it, you will just have to make a lot of sacrifices.

aaac · Jul 9, 2005

I was very happy to come across this thread. I have been wondering about the same things. I have been a nurse for about seven years and I have always known that I wanted to get an advanced practice degree, but I always thought I would be an NP. Lately I have been more interested in CRNA, the money is attractive, but I think I would really enjoy doing the job. I love the ICU, I love science and seeing what effects drugs have on the body amazes me. However, I do have the dilemma of family. I have a one year old son and one on the way. My husband is in the Army and we are going to try to coordinate graduate school together around Fall '07. He will still get his army pay while they pay for master's and I could get my CRNA. However, I am still uncertain about embarking on this journey with two small children. Then I start to think when would be a good time when they are older. I am not that old, I will be 30 next year, but it would be nice to be practicing as a CRNA by the time I am in my late 30s. I se all these posts about how much time you have to put into school and what a strain it is and I wonder, am I being selfish. I wish I really could hear from others out there that go to school and have small children and how they juggle it all. Sorry so long, just alot on my mind.

I am fortunate to have a supportive husband and worry about not being able to be with the kids for almost 3 years and what reflection it would have on them. At a young age, kids do not understand. My friend that went through the program even stayed away from home every 2 days due to his clinicals being statewide there was no point in driving home and driving back the next morning. My dilemma is that I am currently a case manager and have been out of the hospital for 3 years. In my present job, I work out of my house and essentially feel that I am my own boss. It is stressful here and there but is mainly frustrating because I deal with Worker's Comp, where everybody never gets better and does not want to go back to work. I miss the reward of nursing. I have a lot of perks with my job and the main complaints is the patients that I mentioned about above. The thing I enjoy most about my job is seeing patients go along the spectrum of medicine to recovery. I am just fearful that I will have a hard time adjusting going back to ICU in relation to what I have now. I feel like I am stuck in the middle on what to do. Like you, I will be 30, not old, but feel I need to make a decision soon. I worry if I stay were I am I may regret later not pursuing CRNA and then on the flip side I may miss what I do now. I am going to try to network more and perhaps follow some CRNAs. THe most important thing to me is my family and I wonder if they can still remain first in my lives in this type of career. If they cannot, then I know it is not right for me. I see so many doctors working very long hours and missing a lot of family time. I do not want to be that way and do not want to be misled by the person I know that is a CRNA. I also miss the abilty to work 12 hours or longer if I want and have more days off. Any comments on this would be appreciated. Like you, so many thoughts on my head. Sorry, so long.

CRNAgirl · Jul 10, 2005

Hi,

I remember thinking the exact same thoughts as you are now. I was single without kids, so it was a little easier for me. I had a lot of doubts, but went ahead and applied to 3 schools. I got in to each of them..that was 1996. I entered anesthesia school and it was so stressful. It was probably the most stressful time in my life and I still have not fully recovered. During school, I met my husband. We married 6 months before graduation. And, I took 1 month off..studied for boards, then started working. After a couple of months of working, I got pregnant with my first child...had to go on bedrest and did okay. I had another baby 20 months later. I loved being a mother and being with my babies. However, the bills started piling up, so I went back to work as an independent contractor and part time. I make more money than my classmates that work full time. However, it gets discouraging because Uncle Sam takes so much of my pay, plus I have to pay malpractice insurance and disability. So, all the money that I thought I would be making just doesn't exist.

It's only a decision that you and your husband can make. I have an easy job now. I work from 6 am to 2pm and some of that is down time. Surgery centers are the nicest place to work if you want to have a family. No weekends or holidays and rare add on cases. I'm glad that I have the education, but there are other ways to make money...usually by owning your own business. If you would like to call me and talk, I would be more than happy to give you the full scoop. Just email me at my private email.

RPFeinman319 · Jul 15, 2005

Hi...saw your lengthy post, and thought maybe I could shed a little light on some of your issues.

I have to say, first of all, that when I was a brand new ICU nurse I had the same degree of "vapor lock" when it came to patients coding, and a dear friend and mentor offered me this sage advice: "When a patient codes, they're already dead. ANY thing you do, will only help." This may sound a little on the cold side, but in retrospect, it's actually true. Try to think of it that way when you respond to a code, and take a deep breath, and remember...you can't make it worse, only better.

Okay. On to your questions regarding the CRNA program. I am 6 weeks away from graduating (8/27/05) and I may have a bit of perspective to loan you. Here is what I've found to be true thus far:

It's a GREAT career choice. The money and perks are nice, yes, but they're really secondary to the job - you are working with ONE patient at a time, providing them with total care, easing their pain and their anxiety. I've found that overwhelmingly, my patients are more afraid of falling asleep and 'not waking up' than they are of their surgical procedure. So to explain their anesthesia, get them to understand it and buy into it, ease their anxiety and provide them with a comfortable surgical experience is truly rewarding. Can't stress that enough.

Regarding your personality, I think that it speaks volumes for your character that you are considering improving your life and continuing your education. However, I must tell you, that as a student anesthetist, positive reinforcement can sometimes be scarce. As in 'hen's teeth'. :) If your personality is such that you need constant reinforcement, perhaps this isn't the best opportunity for you. MANY times during my student career, I have been snubbed, ridiculed, abandoned, criticized, made to feel foolish or inept or...on and on. That being said, however, I can also tell you that some of the most profound learning moments in my life have occurred while in anesthesia school. These moments were given by generous, hard working preceptors who truly have wanted me to be successful - and I can't begin to express how grateful I am for their teaching. Just be aware that like any other job, there will be people willing to help you on your way, and people who will kick you in the pants. Just add that to the stress of being a student (again) in your mid thirties (as I am). Being treated like a young nursing student sometimes can grate on you. But overall, it's been well worth the experience.

I can tell you that there are 1000 different ways to do anesthesia for any given case: Your way is not wrong; your preceptors and teachers just want you to do it their way, because a) it's a valid way, b) you need all the different techniques you can get under your belt, and c) that's how they were taught and feel most comfortable. All of this adds up to more "beating your head against a wall" and feeling wrong and foolish quite often...and NO ONE is going to make sure you feel an overwhelming sense of positive reinforcement.

But is it worth it? Oh yes. Very much so.

Northeast Ohio has an overabundance of CRNAs, and it has affected the job market this way: I have received 4 different offers, and they're really within shouting distance of one another in terms of pay: $110,000 to $125,000 starting salary, 5-6 weeks of vacation, insurance, malpractice coverage, etc. Sign on bonuses range from $3,000 to $10,000. Since all my offers were so close, it made it simple for me: I chose a job based on what I want to incorporate into my practice - open hearts and OB were two of my best rotations. So I chose the hospital that will let me do the things I love.

Finally, a word on family and school: During the past 2 and 1/2 years I have basically ignored my family and friends while going to class 8 - 12 hours per week (less the farther into it you go), clinicals 30 - 40 hours per week (more the farther into it you go), I still work every weekend (Fridays are 24 hour workdays for me), we had another baby while in school (oops), and squeezing in studying wherever I can find the time. To say the least, I have a wife who is a SAINT (she also works full time, if you can imagine). I also have a son who is probably the most mature 10 - year old you'll ever meet, and a 10 month old daughter who is cute as a button. Quite frankly, I'm tired. DEAD tired. But the end is in sight, and after a few more weeks of clinicals, I'll graduate, take boards, and the sit back and ponder how I EVER squeezed so much time out of my schedule. Have to tell you: couldn't have done it without the love, support, and understanding of the best partner you could ever ask for, and can't wait to give her some of the rewards that she has earned. So if your support network isn't ROCK solid, don't even think about doing this to your family - take it from me.

Feel free to drop me a line anytime I can answer some more questions for you, or give you some tips on where to look, who to talk to, etc.

Good luck,

Will

[email protected]

2BACRNA · Jul 16, 2005

aaac,

I don't have time to reply to all of your post but I feel compelled to share a little. To start with, I am starting CRNA school in a few weeks at UAB. I will be 40 (that's 4-0) in September. I had 2 years experience in MICU (12 bed unit). The part of the story you may be interested in is that prior to this 2 years ICU experience, I was a case manager for almost 5 years, I did home health for 2-3 years before this and worked on a tele floor for about 3-4 months right out of nursing school. Needless to say, I was very aprehensive about starting in the ICU and scared to death of "hurting" someone. Because of this, I worked really hard (studying, reading, going for the "tough" patients, asking TONS of questions) and feel like I became a good, solid nurse. I couldn't believe it when some of the same nurses I asked questions of were coming to ME for answers. So, as far as experience goes, you can do what you put your mind to. If you have a solid support system and they are prepared for what you are going to be doing and you stay organized and focused you can get into and out of school. My husband is excited about this and knows we have to get thru the hard times to get to the good times. My son is 17 and a senior and has a good idea of what is coming. My daughter is 7 and will have the hardest time but is also being prepared the best we can. We can get through this and so can you. Don't sell yourself short or cheat yourself out of something you want because you are scared! Go for it!

ECM,RNinTN · Feb 6, 2006

First of all I would like to say thanks to RPFeinman319 for his encouraging words. I am currently working in MICU and have been now for 9 months. I am working on my BSN as well. I received my ADN in 2004 and worked in L&D around a few CRNA's who encouraged me to do this. However, I still have a lot of questions in my head. If you don't mind I would like to unload a few on you. Do you think MICU is experience enough to apply or should I transfer to SICU or CSICU? Did you have to take GRE or MAT? If you took MAT, was it bad? Did you have to go through a round table interview with a bunch of big wigs? and one more, How much physiology/pathophysiology is re-taught in CRNA school, by that I mean I am taking those now in BSN and I am doing okay but just wondering if they re teach it?

You have been so kind already in your first posting. Thanks so much for your information. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation.

ECM,RNinTN · Feb 6, 2006

oops. accidently sent twice.