I've been working towards this for awhile. I'm finally getting all of my ducks in a row to apply next year. I love critical care so far, and I think anesthesia would be like working in critical care on steroids, which I think I would enjoy. Looking at the numbers though, it makes me wonder if it really is worth it for a California RN to go into the debt:
My current RN biweekly pay working 4 12 hour shifts/week: $4038 with an after tax take home of $2834 claiming married with 1 dependent. Monthly take home of $5668.
Potential biweekly CRNA pay: Assuming a starting pay of 150k (which I think would be achievable in Southern California): $5769 with a take home of $3809. Monthly take home pay of $7618. Our local school is 100k. Looking at a different out of state school they say the average student loan debt including cost of living is 150k. Paying that back over 20 years leaves you with a payment of $1254. $7618-$1254 = $6364. This leaves me with an take home pay of $6364 after student loan payment. 6463-5668 (current take home pay) = $696. A lot of work and extra debt for an extra $696. If pay is increased to 175k (California average), take home goes up to $8672. $8672-1254 = $7418. 7418-5668 = 1758. An increase of 1758. This makes it look a little more attractive.
A local hospital pays RNs $60/hour. 48hrs/week x 48 weeks = $138248. with a gross biweekly pay of $5317, net pay of $3555. A monthly pay of $7110. $7418 (175k CRNA pay)-$7110 (RN pay at $60/hr) = $308. Not a huge increase in pay, but I guess the question is do I really want to work as an ICU nurse for the rest of my life, and is the increased level of respect along with increased autonomy worth the level of debt that I would get myself into with CRNA school? It seems like a much better deal in states where nursing isn't unionized and are paid poorly. It also seems like a better deal if one is willing to move to a rural area where cost-of-living is low and pay is high.
Since current CRNAs know best about the current job market, would you do it all over again if you were in my shoes? I'm not worried about the lost income from not working for 2-3 years. It's just that if I put the work in to do this, I want my standard of living to be increased at least a little bit, for my wife's sake.
I am HIGHLY considering USAGPAN, but who knows if I would get in? I think if tuition and cost of living is paid for, it would definitely worth it. Plus I get to travel and serve my country (which is something I always wanted to do anyways, but avoided because of the low pay). It sounds awesome, just not sure if my GPA would be competitive enough for USAGPAN!!
I would like to tack on my quest for advice here. I am 37 years old BSN, RN. I have worked ICUs for 7 years. I am travel nursing now and enjoy the pay. I have saved close to 80K for potential CRNA school. I have applied to a couple and am waiting to see. I am debating whether to do CRNA or get my master in healthcare administration as I have a bachelors in finance also. I am unsure which route is better. THe master in healthcare administration would allow me to continue to work for sure. I am single with no kids at this point. I like ICU nursing but am tired of direct patient care in that aspect. I have shadowed CRNAs with some saying the field saturated especially in the south where I am from. I have worked in the business world before.
Single, no kids, traveller (so I'm assuming low overhead - IE no mortgage or low mortgage?), and 80k in the bank for CRNA school? You're set up well for school. The south is saturated in a lot of job markets but seeing as how you travel, there are plenty of other areas that have a lot of job opportunities, especially in rural areas.
If you want my opinion I wouldnt waste money on a masters in healthcare admin. If you're going to do anything close to that route, just get your MBA. It's way more marketable than MHA.
Ok, all these posts are making me rethink things. I'm getting my BSN with a minor in chemistry (because I really like chemistry and I'm good at it). I'm looking at about 20k in loans for my undergrad, which between working in rural areas for student loan help and travel nursing I hope I can pay off relatively quickly. I wanted to go back to school when I was about 27 or 28, because I value travel and experience and didn't want my 20's to be nothing but school. I was considering CRNA, yes, because of the salary. I'm looking for a job I won't hate that will allow me to travel and pay for all the outdoor sports I love, and it seemed like CRNA was the perfect route.
But these posts have me a little concerned. Should I look at other specialties? Money is a concern for me; I don't care for large houses or cars, I'm a thrifty person, and there is no way in hell I'm having kids, but I want to make enough to work 4 days a week or less, take care of my parents, and travel plenty.
What else is there, besides CRNA, that pays well but also doesn't set me back with a huge amount of debt? I mean starting medical school in my 30's doesn't sound like a good idea to me.
Yes, no mortgage, no overhead and 80k in bank. I am even considering doing the airforce CRNA program if I am applicable to it. I am waiting to hear from a medical recruiter now.
Yes, no mortgage, no overhead and 80k in bank. I am even considering doing the airforce CRNA program if I am applicable to it. I am waiting to hear from a medical recruiter now.
Life is too short. Please spend some of that money! Splurge!
I enjoyed reading all of these responses. I was former ICU RN who went to anesthesia school. I had great grades but decided anesthesia wasn't what I wanted to do. The stress got to me. I finished up as a FNP after dropping out of my SRNA program. My classmates thought I was nuts. I currently work in a dermatology practice in Southern California doing mostly bread and butter general dermatology. When I feel like it I do some cosmetics ie Botox, fillers lasers etc. The cosmetic patients are a pain in the ass. I get paid $200,000 a year in base salary plus benefits working in La Jolla, California. Its a low stress very interesting job. I work with 3 MD dermatologists and 1 surgeon. If you want to make a good living and have a low stress life outside of anesthesia I suggest dermatology as a FNP :)
Oh, if anybody is looking for a FNP position in rural Southern California, I know one that will pay $90 a hour plus all housing and travel expenses provided. Trust me, there is money to be made as FNP.
I was former ICU RN who went to anesthesia school... but decided anesthesia wasn't what I wanted to do...
Hmm. I thought I was the only one who did this (although for a slightly different reason). I was jestingly called a loser by a couple friends for this but I'm happy with my FNP choice.
BTW, please spam me with the details of this California FNP gig that you've got. I know a few people who are looking.
To the OP, as long as it's what you really want to do and you're up to it, go to CRNA school if you get the chance. Totally worth it.
Don't sweat the student loans. If you have a significant other or kids discuss this in advance and make up your mind to relocate to a loan repayment facility (typically urban or rural) for a year or two and get the bulk of it forgiven. The worse or more rural the area is the higher the score and the more of your loans they will pay off.
twozer0, NP
1 Article; 293 Posts
Single, no kids, traveller (so I'm assuming low overhead - IE no mortgage or low mortgage?), and 80k in the bank for CRNA school? You're set up well for school. The south is saturated in a lot of job markets but seeing as how you travel, there are plenty of other areas that have a lot of job opportunities, especially in rural areas.
If you want my opinion I wouldnt waste money on a masters in healthcare admin. If you're going to do anything close to that route, just get your MBA. It's way more marketable than MHA.