How old were you when you started CRNA school?

Updated:   Published

Questions are in the title; I'm just wondering what the average age range for students starting their programs is.

I just turned 60. I have always wanted to become a CRNA. I am going to apply in November 2015. I would be 63 at graduation. What do you think? Don't just say, "Go for it" DO you think I will have trouble finding a job at graduation?

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gas, ICU, ACLS, PALS, BLS.

Think of how a laboring OB patient would feel about some guy walking in all hunched over with back problems, possibly with a cane or a walker, and telling her he's going to place her epidural. We have a 77-year-old contractor that works on our OB floor, he does it fine I guess, but I can't imagine the look on the patient's face when he walks in their room, anesthesia is more or less a young man's game.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

On the other hand, laboring OB patients might be reassured that they will get good care from an experienced provider. Anesthesia is anyone's game. I know providers that are close to 70 and provide excellent care. Thanks for the remarks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Gas, ICU, ACLS, PALS, BLS.

Age doesn't always mean that you're an experienced provider. I know many MDs/CRNAs that went to school MUCH later in life. You asked people not just to tell you, "Go for it," so I gave my honest opinion. In my post, I said that 77-year-old works on my OB floor, and he does fine, just as I'm sure you will do. Any school will accept you and gladly take your money. Whether or not you can get a job as a 63 y/o CRNA is a very different story, try to think of it from the point of view of the owners of anesthesia groups you'd be interviewing with, if they had 2-3 options for new grads (and they will b/c the CRNA market is becoming oversaturated), one or two that are 35ish and one that's 63, who do you think they'd go with? Likely the one that will cost them less money providing life insurance, health insurance, etc. Although at that point, a 63-year-old would soon qualify for Medicare, they may not need health insurance. One can also find a job that's 1099, straight cash, without benefits. Best of luck applying to school and, most importantly, getting through school; it will HONESTLY be one of the most challenging things you take on in your life in a genuine sense. And I know by experience!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'll be 32 this August when I start.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Critical Care.

Will be 28 when I start and 30 when I graduate. Starting at Texas Wesleyan U in August.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'll be 32 this fall when I start 21 for BSN, 27 for NP-MSN now 32 for CRNA. Ouch, student loans forever!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I'll be 24 when I start this fall.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm trying to revive this thread to get some more recent responses - would love to hear from people starting school 2016 or 2017!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Anesthesia.

I'll be 30 when I start next year and 32 when I graduate. I wish I had done this a few years back when I had fewer financial commitments, but at the same time, I'm glad I could enjoy my twenties the way I did!

I look at it because the average retirement age = is 62, so I should have 30 years left to work. Last year the average person who took boards was 32.4 years old, so I pretty much fall in line with the average SRNA.

https://www.nbcrna.com/certification/Documents/NCE/NCE_SEE_Annual_Rpt_FY2015.pdf

Every year, the average age of people taking boards has slightly decreased (34, 33.4, 32.7).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCRN.

I'm 34, and I will be 37 when I graduate. I wish I'd have started younger, but nursing is my second career. I also enjoyed the five years I worked at the bedside, so I wasn't in a huge rush to leave.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU.

I will start this fall at 23. :nailbiting:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion