apaphoenix

Hey guys, I will be graduating in less then a month and I have signed on to a 1099 position with an anesthesia group. I understand that I will have to provide all my own benefits and file all my own federal income tax, SSI and such. Some of my CRNA preceptors have suggested that I file articles of incorporation and become a small business owner. I am told that this option will allow me to get greater tax breaks an better benefits. Are any of you expeienced CRNA's familiar with this process and have any pro's or cons to add?? Any input would be appreciated. Phoenix

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Okay guys, I saw it hit a couple of times in a few different threads, but I wanted to ask anyway. I'm starting the clinical phase of my program and like many at this point, I spend hours looking over the career opportunities that may be available to me upon graduation. I just want to know what the experienced CRNA's out there think about where it is appropriate for new grads to practice when they are fresh out of school. There are many opportunities in large urban facilities that would provide excellent clinical experiences upon which a new grad could build a great foundation. In comparison with the rural areas, however, big city jobs don't always offer comparable compensation. Rural jobs on the other hand seem to offer a lifestyle that is more family friendy and laid back along with substantial salary and benefit incentives. My questions are: Would it be prudent for a new grad to begin at a rural facility? Would it severely limit one's mobility in the future if he did so (meaning could I easily go from rural to large facility without much complication)? Many of the recent grads from my program say that they felt confident that their experiences were adequate enough for them to meet most of the challenges they encountered after school. (The ones that I know all work at large facilities) Because of this I wonder if I would be hurting myself if I just skipped over the large facilities. My ultimate goal was to do rural anyway!! Just wanted to get some input from those who may have crossed this hurdle in the past. Thanks guys. Phoenix

I think it depends on the type of program you enter. My program offers a Master's of Science in Nurse Anesthesia (MSNA) rathe than an MSN. We don't write a thesis, and I can count on one hand the number of papers I've had to write after a full year of study (and each of those was 3 pages or less). Our program is based more in the pure sciences rather than nursing theory and philosophy. I'm sure I'll have a few more papers to write as I enter my second year, but from what I've seen here I can't complain at all. Phoenix

Hey, I'm in the Wesleyan program now and as far as I know, there will be no huge changes. The University has just opted to begin pumping more money back into the CRNA program (it is their main money maker). In addition, they are building a new Nurse Anesthesia building as we speak. They are being a little tight lipped about the whole thing, and have not divulged much info about the director's snaffu to us. However, they have an interim director, and the students have been assured that we are in no jeopardy. Also, they are currently in the process of conducting interviews for the 2003 class, so i assume that the program is still in good shape. Phoenix

Blake, I can't quite say what is preferred by most, but I had mostly CCU experience and I got in. I think what they want to see is that you've had experience with vasoactive drips an with critically ill individuals. They want to make sure you wont get in there and panic because you don't know how to deal with hypotension, or something like that. I do think that working at a large facility does offer more opportunities for such experiences. Just my two cents. phoenix