okay everone i think i have decided to not finish my degree in biology and switch to nursing....by the way i am a male...not like it matters...i have had second thoughts about med school because:
1.) students with their noses in the air, trying to be better than everyone else because they are PREMED,
2.) the ammount of time trying to find a residency program etc, and spending 7 or more years of my life (after my bachelors degree) trying to finish this and that just to be able to finally work
3.) and worrying about not finding a decent job while waiting to be accepted into med school.
looking at my third problem i thought more about just majoring in nursing and being an RN (bachelors), which would then solve my problem with a future job issue....then i got to think about being a CRNA...the more i talked to a fellow employee at work about his job as a CRNA; he really got me thinking more and more about it.
so, here it is....since i have taken inorganic and organic chemistry, physics and biology would my application look better becuase they would see that i am able to do take theses classes and do well in them; or would it just not matter? my science background is strong with genetics and biochem also...
B Inorganic chemistry 1
A Inorganic chemistry 2
A Physics 1
A Physics 2
B Biology 150
A Bioilogy 151
B+ Organic Chemistry 1
A Organic Chemistry 2
My total GPA is about a 3.7, so just looking at my GPA and thinking ahead of a year or 2 of ICU work what would my chances be? i appreciate all of you for reading this long mess, and PLEASE PLASE REPLY REPLY THANK YOU
So many people go "Pre-Med"....but never apply or get accepted to Med School. I had 7 jobs during my undergrad...and burned out of medicine before making the MCAT leap.
Similarly, so many nurses are "Pre-CRNA" but never make the progression.
Either Med School or CRNA will require that extra drive and determination that most people lack.
The extra science background has helped me...but the fast takeoff pace of CRNA education takes more than a transcript. You've got to commit.
You need to work in a unit after nursing school that you may not particularly like...just to get the experience you need. You need to study for the GRE like you would have the MCAT.
It takes time to get your RN, the clinical experience, and 2.5 years of CRNA education. You would already be a MD resident by that time. Money should not be your motivation, because most of us will be over $100,000 in debt after school.
You have to want it badly, and be willing to deal with same personalities that turned you off.
Rather than becoming one of those persons that trample others trying to succeed, you need to excel and pull others up with you!
Excellent! They love strong science gpa's. Go for it. Focus on critical care nursing with lots of drips and sick patients. You can apply before you have one year but I think a little more experience is better. Some programs require 2yrs exp. Keep at least a 3.0 gpa in nursing school. You may have to take the GRE or ACT but no big deal with your science courses. There are a lot of MD's that wish they took the CRNA route as well. Good luck.
im starting to think that some MD's look at a crna and think well they dont pay mal' insurance, work 40 hours a week with optional overtime, no residency...and less school....not to mention the paycheck that adds up to 120,000 a year plus....
i think with all that adding up; not working (occasionally) more than 40 hours a week and saving on insurance costs MD's really dont make a whole lot more....how i see it if you make 100,000+ a year its all the same...unless you are seriously making big big bucks over 100,000...
im starting to think that some MD's look at a crna and think well they dont pay mal' insurance, work 40 hours a week with optional overtime, no residency...and less school....not to mention the paycheck that adds up to 120,000 a year plus....
i think with all that adding up; not working (occasionally) more than 40 hours a week and saving on insurance costs MD's really dont make a whole lot more....how i see it if you make 100,000+ a year its all the same...unless you are seriously making big big bucks over 100,000...
just my opinion
CRNA's have hefty malpractice insurance too. Many hospitals or groups will pay all or part, just like they do for the MDA's. However, if you take a 1099 position the CRNA is typically expected to find their own malpractice insurance. Of course, that's why a 1099 position may pay over $200k vs the W-2 position that may pay $150k.
yes...just being said for the most part it seems as if it is not a big worry most CRNA's have in this area ( which im sure it could be this way in other areas as well ) for CRNA's i have spoken with.
today i just talked to a crna who is in his 40's or 50's and he had nothing but great things to say about his job, when i hear all these great things i seem to not even want to look at medical school again
im starting to think that some MD's look at a crna and think well they dont pay mal' insurance, work 40 hours a week with optional overtime, no residency...and less school....not to mention the paycheck that adds up to 120,000 a year plus....
i think with all that adding up; not working (occasionally) more than 40 hours a week and saving on insurance costs MD's really dont make a whole lot more....how i see it if you make 100,000+ a year its all the same...unless you are seriously making big big bucks over 100,000...
just my opinion
Anesthesiologists have it good compared to other doctors and pay range is 300K to 450K with not much more of a burden of malpractice ~4000-8000yr depending on location.
CRNA's also eat cake and icecream with incomes I personally know of 300K to 350K but thats working independently as your own contractor and just a few days off per month. Starting incomes depend on location but expect packages of 150-180K starting out.
A CRNA's total school averages at least 7.5yrs including your year of working experience which is just like school since there is so much to learn. I worked icu for 10yrs and still did not learn it all. My nursing anesthesia education is going to cost me a grand total of around 200K.
But hey, i'm just rambling. It's hard hard work with a good pay off no matter which route you take. Ask any MDA or CRNA if he is satisfied with his job and you will almost always hear a "yes!".
Happy Halothane
67 Posts
So many people go "Pre-Med"....but never apply or get accepted to Med School. I had 7 jobs during my undergrad...and burned out of medicine before making the MCAT leap.
Similarly, so many nurses are "Pre-CRNA" but never make the progression.
Either Med School or CRNA will require that extra drive and determination that most people lack.
The extra science background has helped me...but the fast takeoff pace of CRNA education takes more than a transcript. You've got to commit.
You need to work in a unit after nursing school that you may not particularly like...just to get the experience you need. You need to study for the GRE like you would have the MCAT.
It takes time to get your RN, the clinical experience, and 2.5 years of CRNA education. You would already be a MD resident by that time. Money should not be your motivation, because most of us will be over $100,000 in debt after school.
You have to want it badly, and be willing to deal with same personalities that turned you off.
Rather than becoming one of those persons that trample others trying to succeed, you need to excel and pull others up with you!
Best of luck!