So many questions about CRNA

[golf_nurse2b]

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!!

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

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 fleixble schedule? 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.

These questions have been answered on here numerous times, but here goes.

1. Schedule depends on where you work just like any other job.

2. 40-100 work weeks are not uncommon as an SRNA.

3. Most SRNAs aren't able to work and goto school. The majority of the ones that try to work and goto school fail out.

[NewEnglandCRNA]

That scenario is not the same as the the allegation that CRNAs can medically diagnose as if it is the scope of practice.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

We will just have to disagree then.

medical diagnosis diagnosis based on information from sources such as findings from a physical examination, interview with the patient or family or both, medical history of the patient and family, and clinical findings as reported by laboratory tests and radiologic studies.

[NewEnglandCRNA]

As wtbcrna said, the scheduling would depend on your work. From my personal expereince it was impossible to work even a per diem RN position and go to school, but I cannot say that it hasn't been done before. You know your strengths and weaknesses so you should decide whether working part time is possible when you finally get into a CRNA school and have a good idea of you can do?

This website has lots on info and i wish I knew about earlier when I was in nursing school.

I wish you all the best!!!!

[NewEnglandCRNA]

Then why can't RNs also medically diagnose then? if that was in the scope of practice it would have been stated clearly.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

They are not APNs. Also, then how do CRNAs who do pain managment bill/practice if they never medically diagnosis anything.

[jemmens]

Billing for a service like physical therapy or pain management occurs after someone like an MD or NP who are trained to medically diagnose has diagnose the problem. In other the CRNA is treating for someone has already diagnose.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Billing for a service like physical therapy or pain management occurs after someone like an MD or NP who are trained to medically diagnose has diagnose the problem. In other the CRNA is treating for someone has already diagnose.

A patient is referred for a certain problem, but frequently the diagnosis changes after evaluation and treatment.

Since you are not a CRNA how do you know what CRNA are and are not trained for?

CRNAs can medically diagnosis and bill, but you need to look at the scope of practice for your state of practice. Most states lump CRNAs in with APNs .Usually if that is the case then, unless specifically stated otherwise, CRNAs can diagnosis.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

CRNAs can diagnose and treat as per any other APN, dependent on the states practice act.