Is it okay to want to be a CRNA because......

[sphinx80]

1. they have a lot of autonomy

2. get to perform fun hands on procedures such as central lines, A-lines, intubations, epidurals, etc,

3. and at the same time get to use your brain to analyse, stay on top of, and essentially control patients' safety and comfort?

4. All the while being compensated nicely with somewhat decent working hours..

This is what I think I am getting into by pursuing a career as a CRNA. Am I wrong. Are there other reasons? Am I being short sited? Anesthesiologists i know from work all say that I will love it and that it is such a great career. I have had the opportunity to shadow 2 different CRNA's, one who does solely pediatric cases at a large children's hospital, and another CRNA who does adult cases. Both practitioners really seemed to and stated that they love their jobs.

I have had the opportunity to shadow 2 different CRNA's, one who does solely pediatric cases, and another who does adult cases in a large teaching hospital. Both practicioners really seemed to love their jobs and told me that they did. The day with the adult CRNA was a little less interesting as we were in an endoscopy suite all day giving propofol. My time spent in the OR was a lot more enjoyable.

All that being said, I would appreciate the insight of anyone currently working in the field as to why else they like their job or choose the particular career path. Feel free to PM me with anything you would like to add.

Thanks so much

[missnurse01, MSN, RN]

I think you listed a lot of reasons that people go into it for. It hits a lot of little things for type A people, and also lets you 'play' like you do in critical care. Meaning we like sick pt's. Although you don't want to have that much 'fun' in the OR. Keep shadowing if you can't make up your mind. Also think about shadowing other advanced practice nurses - it might give you more insight into what each looks like and one of those might be more interesting to you.

Good luck

[runningbull]

I think advancing your career by becoming certified to provide more complex care and do more complex procedures is a good decision.

You should also consider a Nurse Practitioner role in an acute setting such as ER or ICU. I worked in a hospital with a few NPs and they placed a lot of Central lines, Art lines, Chest tubes, ET tubes, etc, as well as making a lot of big decisions in critical situations. You would also have the option at working in a urgent care or another clinic if you ever got tired of working at the bedside.

Another thing to consider is how often you would get to do things like place central lines or art lines as a CRNA. During my OB clinicals in nursing school, I talked to a CRNA who said he had not placed a central line since he graduated from school. Most places want anesthesiologists to handle the big cases that require complex lines. I think it mainly depends on where you end up working at. That would be a good question to ask the CRNAs you shadow if you haven't already.

BTW, I am NOT a CRNA or NP so I can't tell you anything other than what I have seen. There may be a lot of hidden downsides I am not aware of in an NPs job so I would suggest finding one to shadow.