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'm glad to have found this thread. I have 5 years as an ICU nurse and 2.5 years in flight. The autonomy is amazing, but it isn't something I can do forever. It is very physically demanding and a lot of time away from my kids. I was going to go into a FNP program and had dismissed CRNA due to cost. Then a friend brought USAGPAN to my attention. I had everything done and was ready to go, but my ex husband filed to keep me from moving and won (he spent a whopping 7.5% of last year with the kids, but he is an amazing dad according to the court and I "make a good enough income now"), so that has put that by the wayside.
We live in Southern Indiana, so my research has brought me to Murray State's program since it's only two hours from me and the first year is online. My current husband and I feel we could do it with about $100K in student loan debt and there seem to be a demand in our area for CRNAs. But reading this thread has me rethinking the FNP or ACNP track. I want to make sure I can find a job in my area (at least for a few years) so I can pay off the student loans, but I would rather be providing critical care to patients instead of working in an office or quick care clinic.
I was sure CRNA was the way to go, but now I'm seriously giving both a lot of thought.
Shadow some people in those settings to decide which suits you best. I love the ED environment and pace. I used to be dead set I wanted to be a CRNA, but after a few shadows I decided it wasn't for me. I work with ACNP's who are going back for FNP as it opens more doors. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make, but I would say don't drag your feet. Going back to grad school was one of the best decisions I've made. My hourly wage goes up $3-4/hr each year unlike when I was an RN just hoping for a 1-3% bump. I loved the work I did as an RN. I just hit a Yuuuge wall (see what I did there) and needed a change Things are now Fantastic...ha!
I'm glad to have found this thread. I have 5 years as an ICU nurse and 2.5 years in flight. The autonomy is amazing, but it isn't something I can do forever. It is very physically demanding and a lot of time away from my kids. I was going to go into a FNP program and had dismissed CRNA due to cost. Then a friend brought USAGPAN to my attention. I had everything done and was ready to go, but my ex husband filed to keep me from moving and won (he spent a whopping 7.5% of last year with the kids, but he is an amazing dad according to the court and I "make a good enough income now"), so that has put that by the wayside.
We live in Southern Indiana, so my research has brought me to Murray State's program since it's only two hours from me and the first year is online. My current husband and I feel we could do it with about $100K in student loan debt and there seem to be a demand in our area for CRNAs. But reading this thread has me rethinking the FNP or ACNP track. I want to make sure I can find a job in my area (at least for a few years) so I can pay off the student loans, but I would rather be providing critical care to patients instead of working in an office or quick care clinic.
I was sure CRNA was the way to go, but now I'm seriously giving both a lot of thought.
I am looking at CRNA schools in Texas. Is working PT even an option if it is a low stress desk job? I work at the VA and make a good salary due to location and promotion about 96 k more with overtime, probably like 110K per year. But I don't like the Job just the money, its a low cost of living area, so 100k is great $$.
I have 100k in student loans already. Plus we need my job because of the great healthcare and retirement. I would continue to work at the VA as a CRNA after I graduate.
I know that student loans are capped at 10% discretionary income and paid off in 10 years. So the amount of loans really does not matter, but my payment goes up the more money I make.
Just wondering anyone's thoughts on how they made it thru school financially, wish someone would just pay for us to go to school in exchange for work, then we would not have a shortage in medical professionals.
sounds simple right!! Military is not really an option I cant move over seas or relocate to another city.
I am looking at CRNA schools in Texas. Is working PT even an option if it is a low stress desk job? I work at the VA and make a good salary due to location and promotion about 96 k more with overtime, probably like 110K per year. But I don't like the Job just the money, its a low cost of living area, so 100k is great $$.
I have 100k in student loans already. Plus we need my job because of the great healthcare and retirement. I would continue to work at the VA as a CRNA after I graduate.
I know that student loans are capped at 10% discretionary income and paid off in 10 years. So the amount of loans really does not matter, but my payment goes up the more money I make.
Just wondering anyone's thoughts on how they made it thru school financially, wish someone would just pay for us to go to school in exchange for work, then we would not have a shortage in medical professionals.
sounds simple right!! Military is not really an option I cant move over seas or relocate to another city.
I agree with Thatbigguy. I'm 27 and applying to a CRNA-DNP program now. I'm travel nursing now and plan to have $60,000 in a savings account when the program begins. Once completed I'll quickly pay off the residual amount owed on my DNP student loans and then save as Thatbigguy projected without attempting to buy yachts or Lamborghini's. Then in 35 years when I'm planning my retirement I'll have some millions put in a savings account. Overall it's well worth the time and effort financially. Not to mention the broadening of your scope of practice and autonomy.
Some days in the CVICU I'm doing such awesome advanced stuff I feel like a rock star, then other days I'm literally responding to a call light 7 different times to wipe the sh*t out of a lazy patients rectum. Do you really want to do that for the rest of your career?
LOVE THIS!!! exactly why I am applying to CRNA programs this fall.
Nope I finished school worked for 4 years, $80,000 in debt and not working as a CRNA for several reasons..mainly due to stress. Wish I would have went a different route i.e. NP
this is terrible. PLease tell me you're working again. What wrong decisions did you make? Can you share?
Honestly if I were younger yes. No limitations in practice, respect from other ollies. As far as being my age and going- would not re-do. Life is too short to be stressed out about debt and miss time from family. Plus at the end of my career I'll only have profited about $50k from going .
I couldn't help but comment. I'm 45 and applying for CRNA school. Did you ever consider scooping up your family and heading to a gorgeous rural location and making some $$$?
Your post made me sad. Was hoping things have changed for you and you could tell me something better!
I worked pretty hard this past year to get accepted to a program. I'm a California SICU RN (born and raised) and, and was recently accepted to a program across the country with 4 months notice to start.
As I'm starting to get all of my ducks in a row to move across the country, I find myself questioning whether or not this journey is going to be financially worth it for me given the job market for CRNAs in my state. The work REALLY fascinates me. The debt along with moving to a different state and potentially not being able to come back to California as a new grad are what has me second guessing everything. The added stress on my relationship (married, luckily no kids), and the fact that in my situation I will graduate with 150+k in student loans doesn't help either (all of my family support is in state).
I'm one of those California RNs who makes good money. I take home about $7k/month after taxes working three 12 hour shifts per week at one place, and an extra 12 hour shift every two weeks at my per diem. I job hopped to get a higher wage. I also like and don't mind critical care. I'm good at it. I have an offer to make better money in travel ($10k+/-/month take home after taxes which is the take home for $200k/year gross in California) an hour away from where I live in a location that I've always wanted to live for awhile. Financially this seems like such an awesome deal.
A friend of mine also recently started out as a new grad CRNA in the area for $130k/year. This translates to $10k/month prior to taxes, roughly $7700/month after taxes in California according to a paycheck calculator. Not all that great considering my student loan payments will be around $1500/month, which would leave me with a take home of $6200/month. Less than I take home now. The work would be better in the long run, and anesthesia fascinates me. I've always wanted to do it. However, money makes the world go round, and I have bills to pay. I would HAVE to move and pick up OT in order to make it financially worth my while, and I'm not sure that I would really want to leave my family and the entire social network that I've built throughout my life for a job. I REALLY enjoy my life outside of work.
I have NO desire to go rural (although I would if I absolutely had to make ends meet), but I feel like this has been my dream for so long that I don't want to regret not taking a shot at it. I'm OKAY with moving to another state for school, but I question whether or not living in a different state to work after school, and leaving friends, family, and uprooting my wife from her friends and family as well will be worth it.
Should I just suck it up, and follow my dream, or just enjoy life and continue working a job that I don't mind working? Maybe focus on getting into management or something else in the long run? I don't want to regret anything either way.
I want to enjoy my work more (Anesthesia would do this), but I also don't want to cripple myself financially and end up in a worse spot than I'm currently in. I guess this is more of an emotional decision than it is a logical one, since happiness isn't always dictated by money. I guess I could be happy either way.
I currently clear $200k as an ICU nurse, 1 year of experience mind you. I work my butt off with a ton of OT to do that, and know how to work the schedule to maximize bonuses. However, there is a cap for the bedside nurse. Kaiser will keep creeping you up on the hourly wage, but you won't get the OT there. I don't imagine getting much higher, and with burn out of working as much as I do, my cap hourly and working less would probably keep me at my current income.
Yes, money is a HUGE factor, but you also need to love what you do. Though you say you enjoy your current work, you stated a couple times in that one post that you would enjoy anesthesia more. The autonomy speaks to me personally. Also, the CRNA income you are stating is urban area starting wages. After a couple of years, you can join a group and see $300k (I know CRNAs doing it).
Just as there are quirks for the critical care nurse to make great money compared to your counter parts, the same can be done as a CRNA, but on a larger scale. If your wife supports you in the decision; move, go to school, enjoy your time and make an adventure out of it. Work where you want when you are done and get your experience and connections. You will be happier in the long run. A friend of mine just graduated USC and took a job in Visalia for $170k base plus plenty of OT to be had. She will see $250k if she wants it without killing herself to get it. First year out of school.
Ok. There are a lot of problems with these analogies. youre basically taking top ICU salaries with some overtime and some night differentials and comparing them to average CRNA salaries. Don't forget, you can work you a$$ off as a CRNA too. You can pic up locums work etc. most of the CRNA's I know make over $200k. Some over $350k. You can make $200/hour at surgery centers, etc.
Second, student loans, I didn't have any. The military, and many hospitals have programs to reduce or eliminate loans. There's a lot of demand and a lot of facilities trying to lure applicants. That's another consideration. Job search. Job interviews as a CRNA tend to be more like the facility trying to talk you into working for them. Maybe not as a new grad, but get some experience under your belt. Finally, think about how long you can throw your body against a brick wall, because that's what ICU nursing is like. It's rewarding work but it's grueling. You can do anesthesia as long as your mind is sharp. You get much more respect. You have much more autonomy. When you walk into an emergency, they look at you and ask, what should we do? And you know. That's a great feeling. You guys got one thing right tho. Don't do it for the money. If it's not what you love, it's not worth it.
daggie82
62 Posts
I'm glad to have found this thread. I have 5 years as an ICU nurse and 2.5 years in flight. The autonomy is amazing, but it isn't something I can do forever. It is very physically demanding and a lot of time away from my kids. I was going to go into a FNP program and had dismissed CRNA due to cost. Then a friend brought USAGPAN to my attention. I had everything done and was ready to go, but my ex husband filed to keep me from moving and won (he spent a whopping 7.5% of last year with the kids, but he is an amazing dad according to the court and I "make a good enough income now"), so that has put that by the wayside.
We live in Southern Indiana, so my research has brought me to Murray State's program since it's only two hours from me and the first year is online. My current husband and I feel we could do it with about $100K in student loan debt and there seem to be a demand in our area for CRNAs. But reading this thread has me rethinking the FNP or ACNP track. I want to make sure I can find a job in my area (at least for a few years) so I can pay off the student loans, but I would rather be providing critical care to patients instead of working in an office or quick care clinic.
I was sure CRNA was the way to go, but now I'm seriously giving both a lot of thought.