Decribing CRNA career to High School Students

jlaineCCRN · Aug 10, 2008

some other ideas are job security, admired profession, you know highschool kids love money, well anyway good luck with the wolves.

rnbeauty · Aug 17, 2008

I've been asked to give a presentation to high school students interested in health care careers. I'm trying to decide how to explain a career in nurse anesthesia to the group. I think I'll give some facts that may be surprising, such as:
Almost 50% of CRNAs are male,
Nurses have been administering anesthesia since the 1800's,
In 2007 50% of CRNAs in practice were 50 years of age or older
Do any of you remember what sparked your interest in nurse anesthesia, what would be appropriate to tell a group of high school students?

Be sure to inform them about the inportance of maintaining good grades, especially science, while still young. So often, teenagers are not as focused that early and allow their grades to sink in the water; then 10 yrs later when applying to CRNA school, find themselves explaining the low grades. This was my problem as well as many others I have spoken with/read about on this site.

Good Luck

Summitk2 · Aug 19, 2008

... you know highschool kids love money...

When I saw the subject of this forum, my brain immediately said "don't tell them about the money." I don't think kids (or some adults) are able to separate the money from the profession, and simply gain excitement by the numbers and don't even listen to the rigors of the career field.

I would minimize the money aspect, or withold it altogether unless asked specifically. I would emphasize the preparation required and the daily responsibility of keeping someone alive and pain-free during surgery.

I like your little-known facts. I would also describe how many anesthetics are delivered by CRNAs today, though perhaps you're trying to avoid the CRNA vs. MD contrast.

Have fun!

jlaineCCRN · Aug 20, 2008

When I saw the subject of this forum, my brain immediately said "don't tell them about the money." I don't think kids (or some adults) are able to separate the money from the profession, and simply gain excitement by the numbers and don't even listen to the rigors of the career field.
I would minimize the money aspect, or withold it altogether unless asked specifically. I would emphasize the preparation required and the daily responsibility of keeping someone alive and pain-free during surgery.
I like your little-known facts. I would also describe how many anesthetics are delivered by CRNAs today, though perhaps you're trying to avoid the CRNA vs. MD contrast.
Have fun!

maybe i was not clear. if a highschool student goes all the way to completing their BSN just because of a 1hr speech with some high pay $ in it then the speech was a total success. a person now is in a profession that will feed, house and clothe their family forever. i'm not upset, just making apoint.

good luck to all SRNA's

loveanesthesia · Aug 20, 2008

I've changed my mind a little on the money issue over the years, (I used to feel strongly that money was not a good motivation) as I've said elsewhere some of the best CRNAs I know have said they chose nurse anesthesia with the income as a primary reason. Looking at it from a high school perspective, many think nurses are not paid much. My bother did income tax returns for a few years, and told me he didn't know RNs made as much money as they did. I pointed out a lot was probably OT, but OT is often not an option in a lot of fields. So I think a mention of income is warrented to give an accurate picture, but it won't be the primary emphasis. I have also worked with a couple burned out CRNAs who freely admit they would quit except for the money. If money is your only reason you won't be a good CRNA.

jlaineCCRN · Aug 20, 2008

I've changed my mind a little on the money issue over the years, (I used to feel strongly that money was not a good motivation) as I've said elsewhere some of the best CRNAs I know have said they chose nurse anesthesia with the income as a primary reason. Looking at it from a high school perspective, many think nurses are not paid much. My bother did income tax returns for a few years, and told me he didn't know RNs made as much money as they did. I pointed out a lot was probably OT, but OT is often not an option in a lot of fields. So I think a mention of income is warrented to give an accurate picture, but it won't be the primary emphasis. I have also worked with a couple burned out CRNAs who freely admit they would quit except for the money. If money is your only reason you won't be a good CRNA.

i think u r right. no one should sould do it just for the money, also if the job did not pay more then it would be less likely that a person would invest 75k and 3 years of their life. i like that it can go from something little to everything bad in just a few seconds. for ex. in a MAC you could hold their hand for peace of their mind or have to save their life. u never know what is coming around the corner.

sewnew · Sep 14, 2008

I think you should also tell them about some personality characteristics that would make a good CRNA. For example, likes to work with their hands, good eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, attention to detail, meticulous, etc. Just an idea...

JHansen · Sep 16, 2008

Well you could mention the 65% of all anesthesia in the US is done by CRNAs.

I got interested in being CRNA when I got into a motorcycle accident(6in plate 7 screws in my ankle) and the person doing my anesthesia was a CRNA and my insurance wouldn't pay for it cause she wasn't an MD lol. :rolleyes: I wanted to know how a non doctor could do something that I myself thought only a doc could do. It peeked my interest in the field and here I am today! :yeah: