stipends for CRNA programs

ruth1 · Mar 19, 2004

I am interested in the stipend hospital-based programs for CRNA students, since I will not be able to work while going to school. Please advice on hospital-based programs in missouri or illinois.

God Bless :coollook:

WntrMute2 · Mar 20, 2004

If you could move to Toledo Ohio the groups that run Toledo Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital sponsor students to go to Wayne State's program.

Brenna's Dad · Mar 20, 2004

As WntrMute2 has said before, the Mayo program offers a great deal, making your tuiton very affordable. I've heard your total tution runs around $4500 if you sign on for x amount of years.

smiling_ru · Mar 21, 2004

One thing you could do is call the hospitals/groups you are most interested in working for and ask if they have a stipend program, many do. I believe most don't start until you are in your second year, but there are some that will start sooner. Good luck.

On another note, there are downsides to signing on really early in a program. Your grasp of anesthesia types/roles/employment setups is not as sophisticated as it will be when you are closer to graduating. A lot of the people I went to school with had a completely different idea about the type of environment they wanted to work in by the end of the program. Just something to consider.

InTheBlood · Apr 20, 2004

I am very seriously considering signing a contract with the hospital in my hometown. It's a very small rural hospital with about 25 beds. There is 1 CRNA (who wants to retire), 0 anesthesiologists on staff. They want me to sign with them; I think they'll pay me throughout the entire 28 months. The CRNA is on-call 24/7 for emergencies (usually for moms going into labor as any real kind of emergency surgery is flown/transported to larger, urban facility), but REALLY rakes in the $$$$. I'm not sure how much the monthly stipend will be, but I think around $800-1000. I am leaning towards signing a contract with them, but was wondering if any of you guys with experiences had any input. I talked to one CRNA who referred to the contract as "selling your soul to the devil.", and that kinda made me think about it. I realize that it is ultimately my/my family's decision, but any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Pete495 · Apr 20, 2004

The hospital where I currently work is offerring a pretty rewarding program. They give you a 32,000 dollar stipend, allow you to keep your benefits, and pay your tuition. The only downside is that they pay out $4,000 dollars for each year you give them in return. And you have to work for the hospital 2 days a month. When you think about it, that could be alot of years in return that you owe them. There is not a buy out clause right now, and a couple of us have suggested to them that they have a buy out clause. This would fit me better because I am not exactly tied down at the moment, and who knows what I will want to do if I ever get through CRNA school. So, if you're looking for a stipend program, consider the entire program, and the long term risks/benefits. Make sure there is a buy out clause. I am actually not going with the stipend plan my hospital is offerring mostly because of the no buy out. It's just too constricting for me. You should also consider a plan which will allow you to practice the skills you have attained in CRNA school. The last thing you want to do is get out of school and lose the skills you have because you are not using them.

Athlein1 · Apr 20, 2004

Holy cow, ITB.

I would think long and hard before signing on the dotted line for a deal like that. Not because of the money, or the commitment, or the 24/7 call. It's hard to get this sort of perspective from your point, since you haven't yet started clinicals, but please consider this:

When you are a solo practitioner, you have no other anesthesia provider to assist you. If a dire situation occurs, you are on your own! The ER doc, surgeon, charge nurses may be able to help you, but you can't count on their expertise. That patient's safety is ultimately your responsibility.

It is difficult to explain just how serious this gig is until something potentially devastating happens to you while you are taking care of one of your patients. I'm a little hypervigilant as of late because I had a scary run-in with the difficult airway algorithm recently, and I was rapidly progressing to a can't intubate/can't ventilate situation. Let me tell you, you need all the backup you can get when things like that happen to you and you are a newbie to this field. Anyway...

The point is this - your didactic education and clinical experience while in school are truly just the starting points for learning anesthesia. There may be some new graduates that consider themselves to be confident, competent experts, but I'm betting they are a very small minority. The rest of us have been humbled, at least once or twice, and understand that we have so much more to know.

Why not talk to experienced CRNAs (not ones with a vested interest in having you take over their job so they can retire or cut back!) to see what they think? I have a good idea of the answers you will receive.

Really, do give this some serious thought...

loisane · Apr 20, 2004

InTheBlood,

That is not a job for a new grad. In fact, it is the kind of job only a very special experienced person is suited for. Those type of jobs pay what they do for a reason, there are many stressors involved. It may be just right for you later. But get several years of good experience first. For yourself, and for your patients.

I agree with Athlein1, and the suggestion to talk to a CRNA in this type of job is a very good one.

loisane crna

jbro · Apr 24, 2004

i agree with athlein1 and loisane, you don't want to start your career with that much risk and responsibility, i turned down a $1200/month stipend on the advice of some of my crna friends. if you can afford it take out the loans and wait it out, you never know what kind of deals are out there, and if you sell out now you never will, $1200/month x 28months= $33,600, you may be able to get close to that with a contract after graduation, from what i hear plenty of offers come around your last semester of school

CougRN · Apr 24, 2004

i have a question for current students. how do you find out about jobs that offer loan repayment programs? do you get offers from companies/hospitals while you are in school? do they come and recruit you in school? i'm just wondering because i haven't any jobs on gaswork that state the offer loan repayment as part of their packages. i'm curious how we find out about these opportunities. thanks for your help.

brad