Do I really want to become a CRNA?

[wildfire2098]

I'm a 26 year old male and taking all of the prerequisites for nursing school, and doing very well in the classes: AP, Microbiology and Chemistry - and they interest me more than most things have in the past. I've fought myself for many years trying to decide on what to do for a career, being a little too picky, and I feel like time is running out. I can't decide if nursing is right for me, but I cannot decide if anything else is either. I really need to choose something, and right now my interests are mostly directed at nursing.

I'm considering pursuing Nurse Anesthesia as a long term goal. Yes, I'm not even a nurse yet, but I'm not sure if I will be happy with an RN's pay range.

I'm really struggling. I've done hours of research... I made this thread in hopes that folks who are actually working as CRNA's could tell me all the pro's and con's of your job as you see it, maybe even tell me a little about how it affects your personal life (schedule, stress, significant other, etc), and add any comments of your own to help me make this decision.

I really appreciate it. Thank you,

Jeremy

[Allysun]

I want to be a CRNA but i first want to finish nursing school.....

[manusko]

Depends where you live in the US. In Miami/Ft Lauderdale, Sheridan....a big provider of anesthesia services starts fresh grads off at $130k. This will likely go down in the near future as more AAs are being pumped out of the local universities and saturating the market. New grads in the Atlanta, GA area are starting out at $95k to $100k. They have already felt the effect of a flood of AAs saturating the market. You can always check out GasWork.com - The Largest and Most Comprehensive Anesthesia Employment Resource Since 1996 to check on jobs and pay rates for CRNAs in your local area. Make sure you read the ads carefully though....many of those high paying jobs want a couple of years of experience. They also want you to be totally INDEPENDENT and able to insert A lines, CVLs and be able to perform peripheral nerve blocks.

It depends on location. Some places can be on the lower end of 100K and there are some that are closer to 300K. It all depends on where you want to live and if you like being paid on a W-2 or 1099 system.

Also, AAs may flood the market in the states where they are allowed to practice, but the majority of the country does not have them.