Sales Pitch to Land Employment Contract as SRNA

goof1552 · Feb 18, 2007

Hi All,
I'm considering approaching a few prospective employers about an employement contract while a SRNA. For those of you who have negotiated employment contracts while an SRNA, please share your approaches/sales pitches so to speak. How did you go about the process? How long were you in a CRNA program before landing your contract? What pointers can you suggest? Any information would be appreciated.
Thanks

Hi,

I did exactly what you are talking about. I don't know if many other folks have done this, but I was in dire need of financial help to get through CRNA school with 2 kiddos and a mortgage. One of my buddies followed suit and took the same "deal" or "scholarship" I did. Basically, I looked at a job website (i.e. gaswork) found areas I thought I might be happy with the family and looked at jobs in large hospitals and what sounded to me like a decent work environment (i.e. they list the type of anesthesia you will perform and you just decide if you like ob or peds, etc). I then had a form letter I developed the best I could explaining my situation and that I would enslave myself to them in return for help financially getting through school. I got a response from probably 25-50% of the jobs I faxed or emailed my letter to, and of those about 50% were serious and I considered. Typically the amounts (20-25K) are less than sign on bonuses for you after you graduate, so if you can wait - DO! However, my deal was 3 years for 36K at a Lvl 1 trauma center (best deal I was offered btw). I ended up going to a (in my opinion and those I talked to) very practice restricted state, but you have to take concessions to get what you want. I could have gone to a better practice location, but probably not a better living situation or financial one.

Bottom line - dont go looking for this kind of a deal unless you have no choice. The biggest danger is that you will sign up with some place for the money and get obligated and once you are into the field, you will decide you would have rather worked in a different setting. Be careful, I am prior military and as we always said "semper gumby" (be flexible), but a lot of people cant just stick it out for three years. Most places will let you pay back the money, but with interest. Good luck and I hope I helped - im pooped and rambling - its time for bed as the shift is almost over!