Senior SRNA Accepted to Medical School. Now what?

Specialties CRNA

Published

Help!

So, what is one to do when one finds oneself contemplating medical school with one year remaining in the nurse anesthesia program? Should I go for it? Should I continue with nurse anesthesia? I do love it (anesthesia nursing) -- but, I do miss the ICU (and as an MDA, I could be much more involved in the ICU), and perhaps most of all, I do want to know more -- as I've noticed the nurse anesthesia curriculum is so focused that it leaves me asking more questions than it answers. It has left me wanting, seeking more . . . Then again, I love the academic environment. Would a PhD be a better fit? That way, I could remain true to the profession in which I believe, while gaining the additional knowledge I need, I want, I am so thirsty for . . . I could teach, be involved in research endeavors, and perhaps help facilitate the nurse anesthesia cause. But would that cause be better served by an anesthesiologist? Decisions, decisions. What's a girl to do?

I've been through enough of these boom and bust cycles. When life's good, it feels like it's gonna last forever, doesn't it?

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It depends on whether you believe in supply and demand. Once the CRNA supply catches up to demand or when more states pass AA legislation and more AA schools open, then the CRNA party is over. Long-term, being a doc probably is better.

A---hhaaa--ha-ha-ha-ha!!!! STOP! (wipes tears from eyes!) My sides are hurting! Ha-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2::lol2:

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I've been through enough of these boom and bust cycles. When life's good, it feels like it's gonna last forever, doesn't it?

Really? When have there ever been too many CRNAs for the job market?

Over the past 40+ years that I've been on scene, demand for CRNAs seems to just keep getting better, with salaries going nowhere but up.

But, I can see from your past posts that you appear to be pro-AA, anti-CRNA, so I can understand you spreading negativity here. Nice try.

d

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I've been through enough of these boom and bust cycles. When life's good, it feels like it's gonna last forever, doesn't it?

If you've been through a boom and bust cycle with nursing, you must be quite old indeed. What, 70, 80? You can see nursing shortage stories on the cover of Time circa WWII. It hasn't gotten any better today.

You are right- supply and demand... our boomer generation isn't getting younger, and nurse anesthetists are retiring from the profession faster than new grads can pick up their caseloads. Wake up, buddy... or, rather, go back to sleep. :trout:

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, Oncology.
Really? When have there ever been too many CRNAs for the job market?

Over the past 40+ years that I've been on scene, demand for CRNAs seems to just keep getting better, with salaries going nowhere but up.

But, I can see from your past posts that you appear to be pro-AA, anti-CRNA, so I can understand you spreading negativity here. Nice try.

d

Couldn't have said it better myself...

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Specializes in ICU.

iiright.......where is the thread, someone stole the thread................ break out the torches again.

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Thanks for your input.

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Specializes in ICU.
Thanks for your input. For those of you who are less than convinced of my med school status, I was accepted into the medical school in which I am already an SRNA. I had taken MCATs prior to enrollment in the nurse anesthesia program. The interview process was also a bit easier as I knew the profs/deans involved. But let me assure you, it is indeed the case, and this dilemma is infact a reality. Again, many thanks to those of you who have offered constructive criticisms and advice.

Well:idea: What have you decided? By the way, I completely understand, and congratulations on your acceptance into medical school.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, Oncology.
Thanks for your input. For those of you who are less than convinced of my med school status, I was accepted into the medical school in which I am already an SRNA. I had taken MCATs prior to enrollment in the nurse anesthesia program. The interview process was also a bit easier as I knew the profs/deans involved. But let me assure you, it is indeed the case, and this dilemma is infact a reality. Again, many thanks to those of you who have offered constructive criticisms and advice.

So when do you have to answer them by? I think it is great that you have the courage and the desire to do it. I know a CRNA where I am doing my clinicals right now and her brother was a CRNA, a single father, and later went to medical school and is now an anesthesiologist and the head of his department. I don't think anybody is calling him crazy. It is very commendable and I wish you all the luck either way. Because either way you win!!!:yeah::yeah::yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in SRNA.

If you are going to be a doomsayer - you need to do a lot better than simply misunderstanding the factors of supply and demand related to anesthesia today. Yes - if all things remain fixed in a given market the supply can eventually catch up to demand. Of course, this sort of thing only happens in textbooks. There are so many factors that suggest that the demand will sharply outgrow the supply over the next 20-30 years. For example - there are hardly any AAs in existence as compared to the number of CRNAs. As a nation we can only churn out a few thousand CRNAs every year. Is surgical demand on the rise or on the decline? Is our population getting older, living longer and living sicker? Are CRNA and AA salaries tiny as compared to MDA salaries? What is the MDA/CRNA billing ratio? What is the average age of a CRNA? Blah blah blah.

On the flip side - lets day that the extremely unlikely event occurs that the market gets saturated. Salaries may decline, but only slightly. History teaches us this across all professions. Then what happens? Less people go into it an viola! you have a huge supply crunch.

Things have never looked brighter.

-S

It depends on whether you believe in supply and demand. Once the CRNA supply catches up to demand or when more states pass AA legislation and more AA schools open, then the CRNA party is over. Long-term, being a doc probably is better.
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When does CRNA school end and when does medical school start? Why can't you finish CRNA school and then start medical school. If med school starts earlier than CRNA school, then you got no choice than just give it up and start medical school. I would finish out the semester and then work as an RN till medical school starts. Or if you don't mind waiting a year, you can see about a deferment to medshool for a year while you finish out your CRNA. Of course they may not let you, but you could try. That could give you an advantage as you could moonlight during medschool for damn good money I imagine. But you could just as well moonlight as an RN. Anyway, good luck.

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Thanks for your input. For those of you who are less than convinced of my med school status, I was accepted into the medical school in which I am already an SRNA. I had taken MCATs prior to enrollment in the nurse anesthesia program. The interview process was also a bit easier as I knew the profs/deans involved. But let me assure you, it is indeed the case, and this dilemma is infact a reality. Again, many thanks to those of you who have offered constructive criticisms and advice.

Nursing vs. medicine. There's your dilemma. If you want to continue to be a nurse, you're almost done. If you want to be a physician, go to medical school. Write out a pros and cons list... discuss it with your support network/significant other... think again of your goals, ambitions, and motivations. You are the only one that knows how you tick. Follow your heart and good luck.

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