IF for some reason you COULDN'T be a CRNA what area of nursing...

[Roland]

(if any) would you pursue? Would you just stay in the ICU? I think my goal short of becoming a CRNA would probably be to become an ACNP, but I'm not really sure how much of a role they have in the ICU rather than the ER. It seems like the ICU is just about the only place where "medical" skills are emphasized over "nursing" skills (perhaps also the ER). I would consider becoming a FCNP if I could make "house calls" like MD's used to do, but I don't think that would be allowed!

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

Well, I'm still working on my ICU experience and am just a CRNA wannabe, but I really can't see myself working at the bedside in an ICU forever. So, if CRNA school wasn't an option, I would probably make use of my bio degree and do medical research.

[Gump]

I would definitley do something different. Off the cuff, I can't make up my mind between truck driving or beautician school.

[Roland]

I'm thinking more and more that my "fall back" plan might be to get a family nurse practitioner designation and start a cash only walk in clinic (which would accept payments and charge a sliding scale fee based on income. We might also experiment with "prepaid" medical). Obviously, we would probably want to pick an area such as Washington which was relatively more friendly to NP's practicing independently. I'm surprised that being an NP (other than CRNA's because CRNA's ARE a form of advanced practice nurse after all) wouldn't be considered as a secondary option for more of you.

[Brenna's Dad]

Truthfully, the reason I didn't like the idea of NP (besides job opportunities, which I felt were lacking) is my probable misconception that I'd be seeing the same little old ladies with their same little old problems day-in and day-out.

Before you begin to slaughter me, I know this can't possibly be the truth.

My other reason, was my desire to be an expert in one field. I was a generalist for my entire time in the unit and I liked the idea of knowing everything about One thing. NPs and Family practice Docs need to know everything.

[Roland]

I can appreciate what you're saying. However, isn't there some sport in trying to learn your Harrison's, and other medical information better than the best doctor? I realize that there is much not to like in nursing, but then again there is much not to like in professional life in America period (and fortunately also much TO like). You can be the best accountant and find that your company has engaged in fraud. Alternatively, you can be a top of the line salesperson only to learn that the energy company you work for has gone bust, and blown your retirement! Like my half brother, you can be a VP of sales only to be downsized in your early 50's, too old to be seen as "attractive" relative to younger guns. At least with nursing (and other professions like pharmacy, and medicine) you have a LICENSE that places you in at least a slightly more competitive position. I am currently taking a CNA course since I took a year off of clinicals due to my mother's cancer (I'm still taking other college classes as well). The point is that within that class probably forty percent of the students have four year degrees in other subjects ranging from economics, to history, and even chemistry!

Sometimes at night I like to go to a local BP not far from my house, get a cup of clam chowder and "shoot the SXXX" with the person that works the counter. She has a law degree, and a Master's degree in Russian Technical translations from Wabash college. Despite these attributes she has not been able to find a teaching job other than as a "part time" professor! She was even told that she couldn't work as a paralegal (which can pay 50K per year in our market) because she was over qualified by numerous potential employers. So she sells clam chowder at the British Petrolieum for nine dollars per hour.

Nursing is not perfect, but at least at this point in time in our economic history it provides a relatively stable, basic "living wage".

[Nitecap]

I would prob. get ACNP and work in a CT ICU/ CVRR on an intensivist team. We have 2 that work in the CV RR that I work in now. They do pretty intense and fast paced work though they don't have total controll.

[gotosleep]

law school and then medical malpractice :angryfire :)

[jewelcutt]

I think I would want to be a flight nurse or maybe a surgical first assistant, even though the pay for nurses in the FA field don't make much more than regular RN's. I really like hands on stuff, you know, being able to think critically and then put into action and watch the effects.

[tcrn]

Like many of you this took a lot of thought and I still do not know! Here I am studying like a mad woman for the ccrn which is the last string to be a "great" prospect. Prior to going on this journey I enjoyed a lot of things... like extra time at the gym and helping others with exercise related questions. I think I may look into personal training... I would have to get back to tip-top shape first! But, I think I would always regret never getting the chance I wanted.... to persue anesthesia.