So many questions about CRNA

Nursing Students SRNA

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I am currently a nursing student and I am considering the possibility of going back to school to become a CRNA when I graduate with my BSN. I have so many unanswered questions. I guess I will start off with. I have looked on websites such as Monster and Indeed and I know that there are RN jobs all over the place, but it seems to me that CRNA jobs are very scarce. What is the job outlook for CRNAs in the coming years? Are any of you who are CRNAs finding it difficult to find jobs now? Also, is it more difficult for new grad CRNAs to find jobs as opposed to someone who has a few years or more of experience?

Another thing that worries me, is that I have been reading on other threads that while in CRNA school anywhere from 40-70 hours can be spent on school work and clinicals. Is this true? And is it even feasible to have a part-time job with this schedule?

I am currently 20 years old and I have 2.5 years before I am finished with my BSN. I will be married in just over a year. If I decided to go back to school to become a CRNA, I would want to do it right away while I was young. My future husband and I would postpone having children until after I graduated. I am just afraid that if I become a CRNA that I will miss out on a lot of my babies milestones and life in general. What I always wanted to do was work for a few years as an RN then have kids and quit until they went into grade school then I would go back to work part time or full time. I just don't know if I become a CRNA what my time restrictions will be. I have heard that you are at the mercy of the Anesthesiologist and that if he stays later then you stay later. Is this true? One of the main reasons why I went to school to become a RN is the flexibility of scheduling. If I were to become a CRNA would I have the ability to have the same flexibility of scheduling?

I don't know that much about CRNAs. If anyone could voice their opinion whether negative or positive that would be greatly appreciated. I would really like feedback so maybe I can see things that I never even considered. Any comment would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!

Specializes in Anesthesia.
Physician consults.
Wanna bet
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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesia, ICU, ED.

yes, in North Carolina

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good for you! I wish you luck in your studies.:bow:

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesia, ICU, ED.

thanks, best of luck to you as well.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
Wanna bet

Was joking about performing them, not requesting them. Kidding regardless.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I am not a CRNA so I cant tell, but I do know it varies from state to state. The responsibilities of anesthesiologists differ from that of a CRNA in that they are trained in every aspect of anesthesiology. As a physician, they are licensed to diagnose patients and advise courses of actions. Generally, they are held to a higher standard of medical care than that of a CRNA. They can supervise operations as opposed to just administer anesthesia. They are licensed to practice without the order of any other physician, a procedure most CRNAs are required to do.

Read more: Anesthetist Vs. Anesthesiologist | eHow.com Anesthetist Vs. Anesthesiologist | eHow.com

1. Just because the website listed the AANA website as a reference does not mean the information came from that website.

2. CRNAs can and do medically diagnosis patients all the time.

3. MDAs may or may not be trained in every aspect of every anesthesia. That statement is too broad and misleading. There are lots of different aspects of anesthesia and it is constantly evolving there is no way for any anesthesia provider to do every type of operation/anesthesia, block, procedure etc. that is out there. This is especially true during training.

4. The standard of care is the same whether an anesthesiologist or CRNA does the anesthesia. That is one of the many reasons why there has not been shown any difference in patient outcomes whether the anesthesia care is done by an MDA or CRNA.

5. Supervision/consulting, state laws, and billing are a very broad subject. Suffice it to say that CRNAs can and do practice independently in every state.

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I will be interested in reading where you got all these info from?

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I have an MSN in nurse anesthesia. Which has a requirement that ethical, legal, and historical aspects of nurse anesthesia be covered as part of the curriculum. I am also working on a Doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia Practice. The books Watchful Care: A History of America's Nurse Anesthetists , Nurse Anesthesia, A Professional Study and Resource Guide for the CRNA, and a few others have also added to my knowledge base on these subjects. This information is also available on the AANA website some in regular section and some in sections for members only. There is whole legal brief section on the AANA website with a lot of this information.

http://www.aana.com/newsandjournal/Documents/p91-94.pdf

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2. CRNAs can and do medically diagnosis patients all the time.

Where in the CRNA scope of practice does it state this info above?

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Thanks everyone for the helpful information and the links to websites. I still have a few questions that were not answered. Do CRNAs have a flexible schedule (in the future I want to have kids and I know a nurses schedule is pretty flexible because you can work different shifts)? Also while in school are 40-70 hrs spent with studying and doing clinicals? If not is it possible to hold your position as an RN either part time or per diem? Thanks again all for your help! It is greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

"CRNA scope of practice includes, but is not limited to, the following: "

http://www.aana.com/resources2/professionalpractice/Documents/PPM Scope and Standards.pdf

If you ever said as a CRNA that a pt is hypertensive, has hypotension, stated a heart rhythm, PONV, laryngospasm, urinary retention r/t SAB, pneumothorax etc. then you are medically diagnosing the patient.

CRNAs medically diagnosis all the time. You diagnosis something then you treat it all the time, whether you as a CRNA, realize it or not.

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