Hope for all the people trying to get into anesthesia

Screen name · Jan 15, 2014

Again, the pay is not only the result of the responsibilities, but also politics and extra hours put in by those before you. The pay can easily disappear with a new law or a re-write of legislation and you will see that 6-figure salary lost to AA's and the ASA. I'm not sure someone in high school or those asking about shortcuts to anesthesia quite understand that. When you only have 40,000 providers, each one needs to have a strong voice and be active in local, state and national committees to make sure the field continues to advance.

If you think it doesn't matter just YouTube some of the ASA videos "When Seconds Count".. The good stuff starts at 1 minute in... It's a direct attack on the field you are interested in. Are you willing to uphold it and prove that nurse anesthetists have been safe, are safe and even deserve MORE compensation than what they are getting?

Why settle for $150,000 when "physician anesthesiologists" bill several patients at once, monitor the work you do, and get paid at least twice that amount? That doesn't seem quite right, does it? Get prepared to turn right back around and argue why an AA isn't able to do the same. You're caught in the middle and if you think it won't ever come up in practice - you're wrong. Would you ever work at a facility that employees AA's? Why?

This is only my opinion. Everyone needs to have dreams and inspirations to do better. I did. Hope and support from loved one's and friends was something I needed to even begin the process. Money, respect and autonomy are all great things to pursue, but don't let it be the ONLY reason. There is a lot more "baggage" that comes with anesthesia (besides politics, hours, safety, etc). That is what I try to convey to those who aren't in nursing and only looking to get an idea of what the field is... and it's just the tip of the iceberg.

Hobberdog · Jan 18, 2014

In 2010 I was 37 years old. The housing marked crashed a few years earlier and ended my contracting business. Then I was diagnosed with cancer. At that point my wife decided that I was to go back to school. I had just received great care from some great nurses so medicine was on my mind. I had relatively no college up to that point. I had always had an interest in medicine (EMT years ago), but pursued building houses instead. I had several relatives and friend who were nurses and a few PA's as well. They all told me I should look into nursing and then I could go PA, NP, or CRNA later. I had no idea what a CRNA was but it sounded like fun (being able to watch surgery). I used to watch televised surgeries on PBS as a kid and found it fascinating. Anyway, I decided to go with nursing with a goal of CRNA school. It was during one of my last surgeries that a CRNA came in to prep me and I noticed what he was and told him that I was working toward CRNA school. He gave me his e-mail address and told me to contact him with questions or to shadow him some time. I took him up on that offer. I followed him for a full 12 hour shift (I didn't want to go home). It was AWESOME! This is what I want to do. He has always answered my questions and told me what he thinks I should do. The point is... there are some great mentors out there. Find one. Don't listen to the pessimists.

Fast forward to today. I will graduate from nursing school in May. I have some good leads on some ICU jobs. I have picked out the CRNA school that I want to attend. My plan is to work for 1 year and then start applying. I am 41 years old right now and want to get into my chosen career as soon as possible. I sorted the schools by 2 things, local clinicals (I have 5 kids) and only 1 year experience required. I have looked into military to pay for the school, but I'm not sure they will accept me because of the cancer history. I figure it will cost me around 200K to attend school for 2 years and keep my family fed. My credit is not good because of a BK, but I've been told that it won't matter too much when it comes to student loans.

The point of the story is that you should find what you want to do and go for it! I've been told by a few people that I'm too old, have too many kids, and that it is too hard. I've also been encouraged by my CRNA friend to keep on going. He also went into CRNA school with only 1 year experience I've been told by those he works with that his is a rockstar! One of the best CRNA's in the group.

Nurses eat their young. CRNA's seem to do it as well. Just remember, you are where they once were. They are no smarter than you, you just need the same education. They do not have a monopoly on drive, ambition, and success. Keep on stepping! You can do it! In a little over 3 years... I WILL be a CRNA!

mh0712, MSN, RN · Jan 19, 2014

In 2010 I was 37 years old. The housing marked crashed a few years earlier and ended my contracting business. Then I was diagnosed with cancer. At that point my wife decided that I was to go back to school. I had just received great care from some great nurses so medicine was on my mind. I had relatively no college up to that point. I had always had an interest in medicine (EMT years ago), but pursued building houses instead. I had several relatives and friend who were nurses and a few PA's as well. They all told me I should look into nursing and then I could go PA, NP, or CRNA later. I had no idea what a CRNA was but it sounded like fun (being able to watch surgery). I used to watch televised surgeries on PBS as a kid and found it fascinating. Anyway, I decided to go with nursing with a goal of CRNA school. It was during one of my last surgeries that a CRNA came in to prep me and I noticed what he was and told him that I was working toward CRNA school. He gave me his e-mail address and told me to contact him with questions or to shadow him some time. I took him up on that offer. I followed him for a full 12 hour shift (I didn't want to go home). It was AWESOME! This is what I want to do. He has always answered my questions and told me what he thinks I should do. The point is... there are some great mentors out there. Find one. Don't listen to the pessimists. Fast forward to today. I will graduate from nursing school in May. I have some good leads on some ICU jobs. I have picked out the CRNA school that I want to attend. My plan is to work for 1 year and then start applying. I am 41 years old right now and want to get into my chosen career as soon as possible. I sorted the schools by 2 things, local clinicals (I have 5 kids) and only 1 year experience required. I have looked into military to pay for the school, but I'm not sure they will accept me because of the cancer history. I figure it will cost me around 200K to attend school for 2 years and keep my family fed. My credit is not good because of a BK, but I've been told that it won't matter too much when it comes to student loans. The point of the story is that you should find what you want to do and go for it! I've been told by a few people that I'm too old, have too many kids, and that it is too hard. I've also been encouraged by my CRNA friend to keep on going. He also went into CRNA school with only 1 year experience I've been told by those he works with that his is a rockstar! One of the best CRNA's in the group. Nurses eat their young. CRNA's seem to do it as well. Just remember, you are where they once were. They are no smarter than you, you just need the same education. They do not have a monopoly on drive, ambition, and success. Keep on stepping! You can do it! In a little over 3 years... I WILL be a CRNA![/quote
Wow that is awesome! So happy for you, just wanted to add my thoughts. My best friend, who I met in nursing school was 39 when he started going back. Similar situation in that the economy shot his job and had to do something else. Started nursing school (ADN) and we met and became best friends. We did our RN-BSN together then applied to 3 school. We got into one together and that's where we are going. I'm so happy you are on your track. Chase your dreams down and never stop going forward.

Ultraposh · Jan 19, 2014

Woww wbtthomas, inspiring! I can't believe anyone told you you were too old. You are not old or too old for school. What does that even mean?? When you really think about it! I hear people work as CRNA's in their 70's. I think anyone who does that chooses not to retire because they love their job too much. You have a bright future ahead I can feel it! I wish you the very bestt

allnurses Guide · Jan 20, 2014

Very true. In our hospital system, only 3 CRNA's have been hired in the last 5 years and 2 of the 3 had experience. Additionally, there is a new idea in the healthcare in which anesthesiologist will now monitor multiple patients (and AA's) through a "command" center much like a virtual ICU. Venture capitalists are working on it and it may change how anesthesia is delivered in 10 years or so. That is not to dissuade someone from going into the field that they love. It is merely saying go in with your eyes wide open. While in school, do things to set you apart from others so that even in bad markets you are marketable.

I am pretty sure this is basically billing fraud as it stands right now. Sitting in a "command center" billing for medical direction while trying to meet the TEFRA billing requirements is going to be nearly impossible. I guess if the ASA got billing regulations changed it could change this too, but that would be an uphill struggle between two of the most powerful medical PACs.The ASA and some MDAs would want this as way to increase their bottom line, but it is just another method of trying to circumvent TEFRA billing requirements. There is no research that would suggest this helps patient outcomes or does anything but increase overall costs.

I think the future will eventually be that all states will be opt-out states and that APNs/CRNAs will have more autonomy until all APNs are able to practice independently.

allnurses Guide · Jan 20, 2014

The persons that will succeed at becoming CRNAs are the ones that are internally motivated and don't need the opinions of others to motivate them. The opinions of others matter very little, if you want to be a CRNA pursue it. You should take the constructive criticism of CRNAs and SRNAs as just that constructive criticism. There maybe some useful information in there or not. It will be the same when you are working with different preceptors in NA school. The best thing some preceptors can teach is that you never want to do that or be that way while other preceptors you will want to emulate in every possible way.

msn10 · Jan 20, 2014

There is no research that would suggest this helps patient outcomes or does anything but increase overall costs.[/quote
Actually the virtual anesthesia team (comprised of RN's for sedation, AA's for more advanced anesthetics, and then MD only cases) would significantly decrease costs as it would be one MD per 6 assistants. The proposed business plan showed significant decreases. There is no research as this is in the beginning stages, but it is being created by the same groups that created the virtual ICU's. Just went to a meeting on this last month. Not saying I am in favor of it, but that is some of the buzz out there.

allnurses Guide · Jan 20, 2014

There is no research that would suggest this helps patient outcomes or does anything but increase overall costs.[/quote
Actually the virtual anesthesia team (comprised of RN's for sedation, AA's for more advanced anesthetics, and then MD only cases) would significantly decrease costs as it would be one MD per 6 assistants. The proposed business plan showed significant decreases. There is no research as this is in the beginning stages, but it is being created by the same groups that created the virtual ICU's. Just went to a meeting on this last month. Not saying I am in favor of it, but that is some of the buzz out there.
It doesn't pan out. The MDA cannot supervise that many people under current billing requirements which stipulates they can supervise up to 4 now. They are trying to circumvent those billing rules by adding in RNs.
The most cost-effective model for anesthesia is still the CRNA only model followed by CRNA/MDA model where all providers do their own cases. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/726678

manusko · Jan 20, 2014

Remember that time when the virtual MDA helped secure the airway when the RN sedating a pt had given too much sedation? Sounds like a lovely lawsuit. I would not have my care completed in this setting.

MrsStudentNurse · Jan 21, 2014

Carley77 that's the first time I heard that! Haha but I seriously wish I had a family member that was a CRNA too sheeesh my inquirys for shadowing go unanswered. If only you were in NY!![/quote']
Well if you ever move to MN (brrr I'd think twice) then I can hook you up!

msn10 · Jan 21, 2014

The MDA cannot supervise that many people under current billing requirements

Yes, I know the model, but I don't think that is a consideration. I am sure that will change with a strong lobbyist or two.

Remember that time when the virtual MDA helped secure the airway when the RN sedating a pt had given too much sedation? Sounds like a lovely lawsuit. I would not have my care completed in this setting.

That is what they said about virtual ICU's as well. "Couldn't be done." Again, I am not inventing this wheel, but there is a silent push for this.

allnurses Guide · Jan 21, 2014

Yes, I know the model, but I don't think that is a consideration. I am sure that will change with a strong lobbyist or two.
That is what they said about virtual ICU's as well. "Couldn't be done." Again, I am not inventing this wheel, but there is a silent push for this.

There is a huge difference between a virtual ICU and MDAs trying to bill for "virtually" being there. I highly doubt this will go over well with the AANA, and it has little practicality other than ensuring MDAs bottom line.