AlrightMike

I really love how much help and advice I've received from this forum. As much as I appreciate everyone's input, I have taken it all with a grain of salt. Your advice has opened my mind up to things and made me research stuff that I wouldn't think to look for on my own. As to which I am very grateful for. I've thought about everything and I don't really want to type it all out, so i'll just tell you my conclusion (for now). If I go into nursing, I'm banking on being a CRNA. As many have said a CRNA is a nurse first (BSN) and if I somehow end up not being one, the other options are good, but I don't want to settle. I want great! I thought CRNA was a (kind of) fast track to good money. The more I think about it, the longer 7-10 years sound. Long story short, if I'm going to do it, I should go all the way. I am taking the MD route for anesthesia. Knowing me, I probably won't do anesthesia but it's what I'm aiming for now. What's the difference for me? Having an MD makes me feel more comfortable. If I don't like anesthesia, I have so much to fall back on (At least stuff I'm not scared to fall back on). Not to mention the pay difference. Just a week or so ago I was afraid of wasting so much of my youth during education. While that might be very real concern still, I see it less and less like wasting my life, and more like building it. I have a feeling I will enjoy education. Nursing seems like a great path for many people and it is possible I might come back to it down the road, who knows. Again a million thank you's to everyone for the advice and guidance!!! Feel free to keep sharing knowledge. I will keep an eye on this thread!

I found the anesthesiologist route before I found the CRNA route. What scared me off was the amount of time spent on education. As an anesthesiologist I would spend 13 years on education (I expect myself to complete the fellowship). Correct me if I'm wrong- CRNAs spend 4 years on BSN 1-2 years experience afterwards. 2-3 years on nurse anesthesia. That's 7-9 years. I'm not sure exactly what makes the time differentiate but, I have a feeling it's how well you do in school and what you get accepted into. I expect to be ahead of the crowd, so 7 years seems like my time. "All CRNA schools are moving to doctoral schemas by 2022"- I don't know what this is about, if you could provide an article or explain it in further detail that would be awesome! On a side note- I know that there are endless amounts of alternatives, yet I'm interested in this one specifically for the following reasons: I find science extremely interesting. I love independence. I love to help and give people advice. I do not want to be concerned with work outside work hours. I love being active, both physically and mentally. I want a high salary. I want flexibility. I do not want: A great paying job that I dread going to. A job I worry about after work hours. A job that isn't challenging. A job that isn't meaningful. A job that is risky; one that has a chance of failing no matter how good I do. If you find something else that fits my puzzle then please share! Thank you very much for the advice.

I live in northern California. I'm quite busy with college, work, and finishing up high school at the moment. I will definitely look into this when summer arrives though. It seems like something I should do before I even start nursing. Thank you for the advice!

Great advice! I know nothing is for certain being a CRNA, but isn't that for every job? Even if they get pay cuts a decade from now I'm sure that it will still be a good income. I do have more than just an interest in salary, yet it is a huge slice of the cake for me. I realize my post made me sound a bit jumpy to be a CRNA but, I have thought it out quite a bit. Thanks.

Wow! I'm near speechless that a complete stranger would give so much thought into helping me out! I'm very grateful. Your two posts opened my eyes to some new stuff and actually intrigued me into CRNA more. It makes me think of where I will be if I do choose this career route and it's a very promising image. I will definitely keep my mind open though. I'm trying to keep my options as open as possible because what I want is very vague. I feel like I relate to what you want in life on a very similar level. Your detailed post will help me with my decision tenfold. Thank you so much! You have no idea how much I appreciate your advice!

I haven't made the decision yet, that's why I'm here. I'm not going to act like I know everything about nursing, but I have a good understanding of it. I know it's not sunshine and rainbows (I may have made it seem that way). I know it's going to be incredibly difficult and long. I know it may not be what I want but so far it is. I appreciate your input and value it greatly!

I don't know, that's why I'm here! I suspect I will like it. I've always found an interest in science and helping others out- Not just living for myself. I'm sick of living paycheck to paycheck and barely helping my parents out. That's why I want a good paying job, because I hate not being able to properly provide for my family. I do have gold dust in my eyes, but it's not blinding me. Thanks for the input!

Thanks, yet I don't like engineering.

Thanks for the tip but, I would like something backing up your statement. This is a concern of mine.

Thanks I will check it out tonight!

I'm a senior in high school currently. I have been researching for a six figure job that takes less than 8 years of education. I have found several over the past month but recently I found out about CRNAs who have the best money to education ratio by far. What I want is a job that I can go home with a smile and a heavy paycheck. Satisfactory seems to be amazing with this job and the pay is above what I was aiming for. I never looked into the medical field until now yet it seems like something I could really get into. The reason for having less than 8 years of education is so I don't waste all of my youth. I know there are plenty of alternatives but, CRNA seems like a safe route to a happy and successful life. This is the biggest decision of my life so I'm not taking it lightly. I do not want to switch my career and waste my time picking a direction through life. So before I make it I want to know exactly what I'm getting into. I want to know from people who have been through this already, why or why not CRNA? Any advice or additional tips will be very appreciated. Also anything that you found surprising or caught you off guard while becoming CRNA? As in is it what you expected? (How hard the schooling is for CRNA is not one of my concerns)