Future looks bleak for CRNAs

Specialties CRNA

Published

Thesre will be not much jobs and hence unemployment in 2022 onwards

http://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/2010/RAND_RB9541.pdf

Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

The only way things will be bleak for a CRNA is if anesthesiologist/physician lobbying groups are successful in eliminating or limiting CRNA licensing. Given the cost effectiveness and the now years of evidence that they are safe practitioners, I don't see that happening.

Any time you pursue a specific specialty it is a gamble. As long as you make that gamble conscientiously you can have peace in your decision.

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I don't think the future will be bleak for CRNAs; I agree with previous posters that it may be difficult to land a job in the exact facility/city people desire. Less than 2 hours from where I live there are MANY openings for NP and CRNA, however some people would not want to move to a more landlocked area. It also is not as easy to get into CRNA school as some people think; historically the programs are extremely demanding, so you also have less people finishing these programs than BSN school. The programs are also very expensive, so you have to borrow quite a bit of money or work for several years to augment your savings.

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As a new grad RN a year and a half ago, a group of us attended a meeting with our CNO.

One grad asked if our hospital uses CRNA's. She replied, "Not at this time, however, we will not be renewing the anesthesiologist contract when it expires in a few years. We will then utilize CRNA's as anesthesia providers. You will find this is a growing trend in coming years due to cost effectiveness."

So I found that pretty interesting. Comes down to cost cutting and that almighty dollar, apparently. Especially these days. However it will be interesting to see the pushback from anesthesiologist groups.

Overall I think CRNA's have fine job prospects. Because they protect barrier to entry with high standards. Unlike NP's. If you want to see a profession more in danger of saturation look at them. Same thing happened to lawyers.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

Future looks BRIGHT according to US Gov. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2015

Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

Job Outlook

Employment of nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners is projected to grow 31 percent from 2014 to 2024, much faster than the average for all occupations. Growth will occur primarily because of the effects of healthcare legislation, an increased emphasis on preventive care, and demand for healthcare services from the large, aging baby-boom population as they live longer and more active lives than previous generations.

CRNA # employed 2014: 38,200

CRNA # projected 2024: 45,600

Average age of CRNA = 48.5% 1/2 to retire in next 10-15 years.

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Highly unlikely.

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Future looks BRIGHT according to US Gov. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Posted: Thursday, December 17, 2015

Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

CRNA # employed 2014: 38,200

CRNA # projected 2024: 45,600

Average age of CRNA = 48.5% 1/2 to retire in next 10-15 years.

Wow, great to see some objective data so we can drop such a ridiculous thread. I've never heard anyone realistically theorize that the future is grim for CRNAs when for years the data has shown the exact opposite. The affordable healthcare train has left the station, all aboard.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

Not to downplay your argument, because I think the premise is largely correct, but the experience and education the CRNA profession requires (7 years of total school plus at least 1-2 years of RN experience) really only lends itself to roughly 30 working years. 50% to retire in 15 years isn't an really impressive stat; seems like an even distribution of workers across the age spectrum to me.

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Specializes in PACU, pre/postoperative, ortho.

During my 2 years in Pacu, we have been short on both CRNAs & anesthesiologists. We have as many locums as we do regular staff. Just hired 3 new grads but now we have new surgeons coming & need more. We are rural but within a few hrs of a couple major cities.

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

TX Bon just released in their last newsletter projections for the next decade and it showed a shortage of CRNA's and RN's, but a surplus of LPN's. Who knows if they are right, but it is probably as accurate as any other predictor.

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I am a BSN student and aspire to be a CRNA. But this news has scared me

Better pick something else then.

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Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
I am a BSN student and aspire to be a CRNA. But now I am scared of the future ...

Pick a career path that fits your talents and preferences. The predicted job growth over the next couple of decades is only 1 aspect of what will be YOUR personal future. The top-notch people in any specialty tend to survive when there is an economic downtown or in the face of competition.

Pick something you love and are good at. Work hard to be considered among the best. Be flexible about where you work and your exact job situation. Most people (in any specialty) will do fine if they do those things. That's all anyone can do to prepare for a future that is always unknowable.

There are no guarantees for anyone or any specialties.

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Thanks guys for clearing the issue.I am a foreign medical graduate trying to make my Anesthesiology career in USA.My USMLE scores are in the average range so that to be on safe side,I decided to pursue CRNA route.I will try my level best to be successful. Rest is on Higher powers.Thank you again.Appreciated

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