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Which one has better clinical experience? This is a question you should ask the school directly.

CRNAs need to get out of the OR. The best combo would be to get a doctorate and MBA. Then run that **** and call the shots. Take that desk spot away from the MDA as well as the stool in the OR.

Nice anesthesiologists? Just wait until you're a CRNA....

Ah, ok. I was confused. Haha, sorry.

I am in anesthesia.... I am aware...

Lol, I can't argue over something neither of us have much experience with: being a pharmacist. Anesthesia is stressful. Life is stressful.

I believe it is all relative. It may be a different type of stress, but stressful all the same. CEO's, CRNA's, PharmD's, Accountants and Realtors all have perceived work stresses, but to say one is less than other just because it is in a different environment doesn't mean one should downplay it. Sure, lives may not be in their hands, but a lot of money, people's jobs, and supporting a family are all stressors. Oddly enough (and with a grain of salt) not a single healthcare profession made it into Forbes list of top 10 stressful jobs... most of the jobs held no live's in their hands (with the exception of airline pilots and fire fighters).

My sister is a PharmD. Her pay continues to rise as CRNAs are stagnant or declining (in many areas). Her vacation time and benefits are better throughout her job changes (chain store to private to compounding). The job opportunities for each are equally diverse. Hospitals, outpatient settings, sterile environments, private agencies, sales, the pharmacist can do it all. Likewise, anesthesia is performed in dental, GI, pain and plastic clinics. The stress is comparable mentally and physically. My wife is an RN and I'm trying to talk her out of NP and towards PharmD. Why put up with the politics and constant defending yourself for less pay? Pharmacology all the way, but they say the grass is always greener...

If the top is 160, why is there a new grad job in Kansas posted for 170? Don't be one of those that sells yourself short. Taking these low paying jobs don't help anything. You do realize you do the same job as an anesthesiologist, but get paid 250,000 less... Right? I think we should be making triple what we do, while performing more delicate cases and not padding someone else's pocket. Don't you?

Salaries and jobs have been declining for a few years now. Benefits are decreasing. Two new grads just took full time jobs in hospitals at 100,000. Might as well keep your ICU job and work 3 days a week with no call for 60,000; wife works NICU with a few years of experience and makes within the top 10% in that category (works some overtime) and has no debt. This is why you don't paper chase. Love what you do. If you love it, you will be good at it and may fair better than others. I don't think anyone can predict the future. If you want to clock in and clock out and collect a check, anesthesia probably isn't for you. Google part time CRNA jobs in your area. The pay is usually posted. Check if they are new grad jobs.

They also want to know you can be beneficial to the field of anesthesia, what you can bring to the table, how you will defend it, advance it and honor it as well as what you have done now that can help you reach all of those different things.

Something to think about: Asking for letters puts you on the radar and they know what you're up to. If you don't get in, you could be treated differently by manager and other references. I just saw this happen and think it's overlooked sometimes. I don't know your individual situation and relationships with your staff docs and manager, but if you are questioning getting the references then it might be a clue you aren't ready to ask for one. I remember wondering how I was going to get letters my first year... I ended up applying with 3 years of experience and when I asked for references I owned them; got chief of cardiothoracic surgery, manager, professor of pulmonology, CRNAs... It wasn't just about reference letters. I got THE reference letters.

You have a lot of proving yourself to do. I would probably go the extra mile... take graduate classes, or even complete a graduate program (we have a couple NP > SRNA's in my class) to show you can handle graduate level work. Accel in the ICU and get a few years of experience - it might take you more than two or three or five. You will be scrutinized more than others due to your background. Get certified in anything and everything you can: CCRN, FCCS, Dialysis, any devices. Become a charge nurse, show leadership, get involved in organizations and committees. It can be done, but no adcom is going to let you in a program just so you can add to their attrition rate. There are way too many qualified applicants that have great past successes and who will be able to contribute to the politics, policies and intricacies of the profession. These people put in many hard hours, went through their own hardships and came out on top. You need to become one of these people.

Upon completion of Organic Chem, GRE writing and CCRN, you'll exceed the minimum requirements. This means interviewing with at least one school. Acceptance, as you touched on, is dependent on your interview skills, personality and even "fit" for the program. As well as other factors such as references and additional certifications. I would research which school gives you the best clinical experience and really shoot for that one... You will probably get in to it. Don't sell yourself short. You've taken orders long enough, time to be the best anesthesia provider there is!

The same people fighting for the salary are the same people fighting for your work conditions. Job satisfaction can drop just as easy as pay. Support the PAC.