Experienced CRNA...ask me anything

Updated:   Published

Okay...If you've read my posts you know that I will be retiring soon.

Now is your chance to ask a practicing CRNA anything.

12 years of experience from solo rural independent to medical-direction urban ACT. Former Chief and Clinical Coordinator of SRNAs.

I will not reveal my identity, specific locations, employers, or programs.

Anything else...ask away.

About 7 years.

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Great that you have some real money in the bank! So many APRN's don't save, even if they could. They start buying 5000 dollar refrigerators and such.

My question- did you change your lifestyle at all when you started making real money?

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Oldmahubbard said:
Great that you have some real money in the bank! So many APRN's don't save, even if they could. They start buying 5000 dollar refrigerators and such.

My question- did you change your lifestyle at all when you started making real money?

Not to hard to live better than a grad student with even a modest salary. I don't live like a Saudi prince, but I'm free to pursue my leisure interests pretty freely while meeting my family obligations with a comfortable margin. That said, I know folks that are in my tax bracket that are hand to mouth because of really dumb lifestyle choices. There are limits....

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Let's not forget that according to CNN Money (link below) a single CRNA earning even below the average salary is still in the top 10% of earners in America. If you have a husband and wife who are CRNAs they could definitely earn in the top 1-2% of incomes in America. Yeah, so there's that.....

If you still can't seem to get ahead in life with all that then you've obviously got a big problem. Similar to those huge lottery winners who end up broke in 5 years.

How close are you to the top 1%? - CNNMoney

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I leave in Northeast Indiana and they are trying to phase out the CRNA. I would really love to get into a specialty, specifically Anesthetist Nursing. What do you recommend?

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Specializes in CRNA.

They have been trying to phase out CRNAs for 100 years, and there are more CRNAs than ever! I'm kind of joking, but not really.

Why do you say they are trying to phase out CRNAs?

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Has anyone been accepted to CRNA school after working in a NICU?

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Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.
nadjkakorn said:
I leave in Northeast Indiana and they are trying to phase out the CRNA. I would really love to get into a specialty, specifically Anesthetist Nursing. What do you recommend?

I live in Northeast Indiana and they just started a program in Fort Wayne. Why do you say they are phasing them out?

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Specializes in ICU.

Not myself personally, but I know of 2 people. Most programs DO NOT accept NICU. Your clinicals will be ~95% adults. Right now, only 40 peds (10 of which must be under 2 years old) cases are required to graduate. If CRNA is your ultimate goal, I'd try to get at least 1 year of adult ICU experience to make yourself competitive.

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A bunch of the schools cost a lot of money. Did you do anything to supliment your income? Or did you save prior to school? Or did you take out loans?

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Specializes in ICU.

Unless you're working for quite a while before school, have a rich spouse, or have rich parents that pay for it, there's no way you can make it without loans. I worked just over 2 years as an RN and saved about $28k before school started. I take out loans every semester. There's also GradPLUS loans if you need more loan money to cover expenses.

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Best and Worst experience as a SRNA & CRNA?

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