I'mXYZ and I'm gonna be a CRNA! Oh really? Me too! My orientation experience.

Trauma Columnist · Jun 30, 2010

Hmmm - I would wonder that same question!

My thought would probably be that not everyone will achieve what goal they have set or that those goals will change.

Texas247365 · Jul 1, 2010

Everyone dreams big. My first day of chemistry class my freshmen year the Professor had everyone stand up introduce themselves and tell the class their degree plan, everyone was going to be a Doctor or a PharmD. I was amazed and thought I had gotten into a really smart class (a few students even snickered a bit when I said I was going to be a Nurse, like it was below them). Long story short most of the class dropped out because it was too hard, and of those that remained I was #1, and it continues to be that way, every science class I take is full of MD and Pharm hopefulls, but they are just that, hopefulls. Everyone wants to be something they see as great, but few have the preserverance or talent to reach those goals. So many times have I heard "I want to be a CRNA" from the same person who says sciences are not their thing...

Do not worry the market will not become over saturated with PA's FNP and CRNA's, there just are not enough people with the talent to get to that level, and for all I know you might be one of those people.

srobb11 · Jul 1, 2010

Texas247365 hit the nail on the head. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 1, 2010

And I wanted to be Iron Man when I grew up. People shoot high a lot of times and dont always reach it for whatever reason.

Anne36, LPN · Jul 1, 2010

At my school everyone is trying for the ADN program and there are 4 x as many people that apply as there are spots. I know exactly what you are talking about. Everyone is going to be a nurse and a third of them drop out of the science classes to take it again with an 'easy' teacher. I have a lot of people in my A&P 2 that are in for their second round and Im still getting better grades than they are.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Jul 1, 2010

I wouldn't worry too much, after all, it is freshman orientation. When I was in nursing school (2006-20008), I think at least half of my classmates wanted to become ICU nurses and then go onto become CRNA's. You know what? By graduation, after 2 years of clinical rotations, many of them realized they did not want to be CRNA's. Many of them did get jobs in the ICU setting, although some of them didn't last, as they found it was more the glory of working ICU that appealed to them than the actual work environment.

Just worry about yourself and your goals for now, try not to get caught up in what everyone else is doing. :)

RB2000 · Jul 3, 2010

I couldn't agree more with everyone that has responded. I must admit at one time I had my concerns too. However, after seeing the work ethic and study habits of many of the "I want to be super CRNA or NP", I realized that many will fall short of the goal.

Many people see becoming a CRNA much like winning the lottery. They think it is easy money at the end of an easy education and work path, and this is all before they ever step one foot in a nursing class or hospital. After several years of being beaten down by undergrad science classes and nursing classes, countless hours at work doing a job that is very demanding many will decide that being a CRNA or NP is NOT what they really want. Many willl come the the realization that no amount of $$$ is worth putting themselves through all that, especially if that is all that they are doing it for(been there and done that in another career).

Oh wait, I forgot to mention that during school you will need to maintain at the very least a 3.5 gpa. I know that our nursing school the minimum requirement for entrance is a 2.0, but I know of people that have above a 3.0 gpa that didn't get in. Remember, when you get to that level you are now going against the elite. All the applicants are going to have 3.5's to 4.0's and be the top of their class. All are going to come with high recommendations. The only people that are going to make it to the door are those that have the drive, those that have passion, those that discipline, and those that can maintain this level of excellence and intensity all the way through(that is a minimum of 7-9 years (remember they not only need to get there but make complete the program). Many can get thru a semester or even a year of pretty much anything. However, those that are not 100% dedicated will not survive almost a decade of intense working. By the way, if they think undergrad science is tough just wait until they are hit with an advanced biochem class or some sort. bottom line...don't worry!:):):)

happy2learn · Jul 3, 2010

Well, about half of the nursing students in my classes have BSN's already so they are transferring to the local university's accelerated MSN program. Only 1 I met is considering CRNA, but she is not set on it. I must say that she is very smart so she does have a chance. She has also done her research on the career and path to it, so I respect her for that. Only 2 other, besides myself, want something beyond BSN, like NP or CNS. Half of the rest were just going to finish with the ADN and leave it at that, and the other half going to the BSN.

But, I think it's okay to dream and plan for something like that. As long as one understands its not a 100% guarantee and they will be happy with being an RN if they can't pursue a higher degree.

O'Ryan · Jul 4, 2010

LOL its okay, everyone wants to reach for the stars, including yourself.

like someone else said, walk into a local college chem class and see how many future doctors there are...you would think we'd end up with doctors standing on corners...

Aberdeen · Jul 5, 2010

I recently ran into a former employee of mine from when I was in the restaurant business. After exchanging pleasantries I asked her what she was doing these days and she told me she was in school to become a nurse and that she was going to be a CRNA. This is the same girl that stopped me at work one night and asked me "What kind of fish is on the catfish sandwich?" Now, do you think she will make it to that level?

Intern67 · Jul 5, 2010

So a few weeks ago I had my freshman orientation and oh my gosh is all I can say.
I kinda just feel like now all these NPs/PAs/CRNAs are gonna get cranked out like none other and the job market will just be saturated with them.

LOL...yeah, the "I'm gonna be a CRNA/NP (especially CRNA) is a very standard line for many of us in nursing school.

There are a lot of reasons for this - a major one being the oft-repeated reports of CRNA salaries. I used to list it as an option when people demanded to know why I would be silly enough to quit engineering to go into nursing. It really seemed to assuage their concerns. Fortunately, there is a very natural weeding out process that happens and I doubt the job market will be flooded with them.

As you progress along in school and people get more experience and think about it for a while, you will see this "I'm gonna be a CRNA" thing happen far less often. There are many reasons for this, but I think a main one is that soon after a program starts people start saying, "I just wanna get out of this school with a C and my sanity! No more school for me!"

Also, as people gain experience, they seem to realize that "Because they make a lot of money" isn't the best reason to set a goal. Students start to gravitate towards areas they excel in or feel comfortable in (or just can get a job in) and stop declaring those goals you mentioned.

Good luck!