Seeking Advice: First Job Out of Anesthesia School

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Hello Everyone,

I am seeking advice/opinions about what important things to be looking for in my first job out of Nurse Anesthesia School. A little bit about me: I am married with two preschool-aged children, I will graduate 12/2010 and my oldest will start kindergarten the following fall. Ultimately, we'd like to settle in The South (maybe Florida, coastal GA/SC, or Charleston, SC area), but we're happy to stay here in the area where I am in school for the next couple/few years at least. I'm thinking that it may be best to stay here and seek a position with one of several anesthesia groups in the area where I am currently in school. They serve as clinical sites for my program so I've had a chance to see them from the inside already and I think any of them would be great places to start out as a new CRNA.

I'd love to get opinions about starting out as a staff CRNA at teaching hospital (with residents and SRNAs) versus an employee of a private anesthesia group. I'd also like to hear from current CRNAs on how important it is to get certain types of work experience: Regional Blocks, Hearts, Neuro, Transplants, etc., or do you think starting out even in an ambulatory setting with ASA I/II patients would be fine? (Or should I be looking to get lots of varied experience off the bat?)

It seems like the teaching facility has great cases, but residents do all the blocks, hearts, and lines and since they also train SRNAs, I might be competing for the experience I'd like to get with current students/residents. However, the scheduling is great (no weekends, holidays, call). The other thing I wonder about is whether or not I'd gain skills in the "speediness" I'll need for quick turnovers in an academic setting that I would need in a private facility in the future.

The private groups have various scheduling and call options, and I want to make sure I ask the right questions so that I'm not working 50+ hr weeks every week when I've got two little ones at home.

What about starting out in an ambulatory facility?

Any ideas/opinions/advice is greatly appreciated as I try to wrap my brain around the job search. Also, if you have ideas for how "early" I should be trying to sign with a group/facility, I'd appreciate hearing about that as well. I am in no big rush...can afford to forgo a signing bonus for the right position at the right time.

Thank you!

Adonai

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Get out of there, go somwhere new otherwise you will forever be a "student".

my 2 cents.

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Good point!

Thanks,

Adonai

Get out of there, go somwhere new otherwise you will forever be a "student".

my 2 cents.

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Hello Everyone,

The other thing I wonder about is whether or not I'd gain skills in the "speediness" I'll need for quick turnovers in an academic setting that I would need in a private facility in the future.

This is an oxymoron if ever there was one...;)

I also suggest leaving the "nest." Look at facilities that offer a lot of surgical services, but without a teaching program. You'll gain the requisite speed from doing this type of work. Call can be a good thing. You learn alot on your own when you cover a hospital and the MDAs are at home in their beds. I prefer hospital based vs. group owned for the main reason as your bosses will always have their own backs over yours. A hospital system of course has their backs too, but they have to hire and they need to stay competitive. Benefits and salary tends to not go down in a hospital based employment.

good luck.

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