Reasons NOT to be CRNA

Nursing Students SRNA

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I'm a student nurse in a BSN program in florida. I heard about CRNAs shortly after I decided to purse a nursing career. I thought I had my mind set on being a CRNA. However, so far in school, I'm not doing as well as I thought I would in the classroom. Compared to my classmates, I'm about average, but I had a high GPA before nursing school and I do well on standardized tests, so I know I can do well on the GRE. My performance in the classroom, along with other things has discouraged me from wanting to be a CRNA someday because I feel that maybe I'm not good enough to be competitive. I also feel like some other niches in nursing may be a better fit and more interesting for me. My point and question is, I'm not even sure if I want to CRNA because I've heard alot of good things, but nothing bad about it. Now I would like someone to educate me on woes of a CRNA/SNRA. I just want an honest opinion of both sides of the fence from people who have been there and done that. Not too much to ask right?:o

Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.
yoga, deepz, and some of the other experienced CRNAS, perhaps I could bug you for some advice? I am a brand new SRNA- haven't even started clinicals yet- but starting to have doubts about my choice of professions. I was thrilled to be accepted into school- part of this elite group-but I'm not sure I fit the "type." I was in a highly acute trauma ICU for 2 years, with 2 years as a critical care step down nurse previous to that. However, I am not an "adrenalin seeker" as many anesthesia students seem to be. I am extremely thorough and cautious in both my professional and personal life, and I though I LOVE learning and challenging myself, (and most of my life people around me refer to me as "so smart!") I don't love a confrontation. I came to anesthesia because I was already tired of taking excellent care of extremely critical patients, having the resident on call asking me, "what should we do next?" and having the family come in and praise, "THANK YOU DOCTOR!" for a great save on a patient. I knew I could be the one calling the shots and I wanted to. But a pressure cooker? Not for me. I don't think yelling and screaming have any place in the hospital, unless it is from the patient. :) I have been in plenty of massive codes but I treat them like any other patient situation: ABCs, BLS, ACLS, 1-2-3 everyone has their job, and keep looking at your patient. No running, no yelling, no sweating, (except of course, the diaphoretic patient.)

Should I get out now? Perhaps I am not "tough" enough? Its an awful lot of work to go through to realize I don't quite "fit in" in the OR.....????[/quote

The anesthesiologist will still get the thank-you note - usually the CRNA gets only an honorable mention. As I get nearer to retirement I require less validation (getting cranky!) so just knowing that I did a good job is satisfaction enough - hopefully I will get to supervise lazy people in heaven for eternity. There's lots of choice for workplace environments when you get out. You don't have to work in the kind of place that you train. I already knew when I went to CRNA degree that slums and bums were great experiences as a student, but when I got out of school I was going back to hicks and sticks. Not to worry - you're plenty "tough" enough.

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Specializes in ambulatory surgical nursing(rec./preop).

It seems that the ambulatory care surgery centers (one day surgery) anesthetists seem to enjoy/love their job. Always smiling, always encouraging other nurses who are interested in nurse anesthesia pours out of these individuals. I work in 2 one day surgery centers and have been blessed to have unlimited amount of hours to shadow the crna's there. Grant it, I work with the surgeons of those centers closely and the management and I get along well. When I worked in the ICU or in the PACU/Preop areas in a hospital, the crna's there looked very stressed. Of course, politics played a huge role in the hospital vs private ambulatory care center areas, but it's something to consider. Before backing out of the idea of a crna because of your experience in the hospital or "bigger surgical centers", rest assured there are a variety of places to work. I am not a crna or srna, but I am on the road to hopefully getting accepted. Yes, I realize that a crna in the hospital vs a lower level trauma one day surgery center may make a crna more responsible for probably more continuing education,..etc. I have been interested in pursuing this career but honestly felt intimidated by the idea of the competition. But I have overcome that after being a nurse for 6 years (that and supporting my student husband and having 2 kids :) For those srna's that are unhappy or worried, as with any nursing specialty (icu,the floor, cvicu,oncology,...etc), the same seems to be for crna's depending on the hospital or private institution you work for. I really hope this helps some. Man, this is a great forum,...really helpful suggestions.

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More up to date info:

12 DEC

"The bill adopted by Congress and sent to the President for his signature (HR 6111) reverses 5.1% of the 13.7% Medicare payment cuts facing nurse anesthesia and anesthesiologists."

AANA - Advocacy

Deepz, I have NO knowledge of the working of this bill and how it affects CRNAs but what does it mean to the CRNAs working in the field?

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I agree with the others that you should shadow a CRNA and see if you think it is something that you would like. I know a couple of people that thought they wanted to be a CRNA and after shadowing decided that it wasn't what they wanted. Then if you think you like it you should go for it. It is a lot of hard work but if you give it your all you can do it and it is definitely worth it. Besides the time and energy of school and the money you have to borrow there aren't really any drawbacks. The only thing I can think of is the stress and responsibility that the job carries with it. Otherwise it is a very fun career.

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Hey Lionheart, with a screen name like that you need to improve that negative attitude. The answer to your question is NONE !!!!!

There are no reasons not to be a CRNA, there is no "other side of the fence" as you call it. It is an amazing opportunity, with complete job satisfaction, you will love it, and not to mention a handsome compensation.

The only reason not to be a CRNA is if you lack passion.

So if you want to really be a CRNA than you will be.

Now forget about what went wrong in nursing school and focus on what you are going to do to make it right.

Always Remember "...if you will it, it is no dream."

-Theodore Hertzel

Good Luck young hopeful, I want to see your name on here with CRNA behind it in 4-5 years.

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Specializes in Burn/Trauma PCU.

I can think of one big reason NOT to be a CRNA that I've heard from countless (and wise) CRNA's: if you're in it solely for the money. I can't tell you how many of my nursing school classmates were intent on becoming CRNA's - before ever completing their first undergrad clinical - because it would make them "mad cash". Thankfully, those numbers declined as we headed towards graduation...

I'm keeping NA school in mind for the future, but only after I've spent enough time around CRNAs to determine if it's what I would love - no amount of money is compensation enough for me for a job I cannot stand or isn't a good match for my abilities! (I've had enough of those jobs in the past...)

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I am convinced now that I am well into my 2nd year that if you're in it for the money only, it's not going to be worth what you must endure through anesthesia school. The money is good, yes, but this is not for the faint of heart. There will have to be some other motivation to fall back on when things get rough, and they will. Money is a hollow end-point because for those who are focused on it, there will never be quite enough.

Find another reason to do it and success will mean that much more.

Z

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Specializes in SRNA.

Wow - what a luxury it would be to not have to worry about money. That's what I hear when people tell me not to worry about money or not do a job for money - or that crazy statement "do what you love and the money will follow". What?

-S

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I think the lectures about not being in it for the money are totally impractical.

When you look at the amount of debt and lost income involved in going through CRNA school ... it's huge. How can you not to look at the financial consequences? It's absurd.

:typing

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Specializes in Burn/Trauma PCU.
I think the lectures about not being in it for the money are totally impractical.

When you look at the amount of debt and lost income involved in going through CRNA school ... it's huge. How can you not to look at the financial consequences? It's absurd.

:typing

Excellent point, and I hope I didn't sound like I meant that money should never be considered. It definitely should no matter what you do! Not considering money would be just as ridiculous and impractical as having it your sole motivator (and I mean SOLE). I think I've just talked with too many people who don't know a thing about the profession and just decide to go for it because it pays the best... it was a personal angle, and one written on less than 3 hours sleep. Didn't mean to sound all Oprah-ish!

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I think I've just talked with too many people who don't know a thing about the profession and just decide to go for it because it pays the best...

If people are really in it just for the money, they might want to take a hard look at the numbers. Because if they're just looking at the gross pay and not the net well ... it may not be as much money as they think it is.

When you deduct the debt with interest, the lost income by not taking other career paths, the additional expense, etc. .... for me, at least, I figured would take quite a few years to recoup all of it, even with the higher salary.

It probably is worth it in the long run but, I don't think it's the cash cow a lot of people seem to think it is either.

:typing

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If people are really in it just for the money, they might want to take a hard look at the numbers. Because if they're just looking at the gross pay and not the net well ... it may not be as much money as they think it is.

When you deduct the debt with interest, the lost income by not taking other career paths, the additional liability insurance expense, etc. .... for me, at least, I figured would take quite a few years to recoup all of it, even with the higher salary.

It probably is worth it in the long run but, I don't think it's the cash cow a lot of people seem to think it is either.

:typing

"average CRNA salary $164,172".......

http://www.crnajobs.com/crna-careers/2006-CRNA-salary-survey-report.pdf

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