?CRNA vs a teacher?

nurselizk · Mar 12, 2008

I think you need to figure out what you want to be (you have a lot of time to do that). You do need a lot of chemistry to be a CRNA. But, more importantly, you need to choose a career according to what you are passionate about--other than money. Even if you could do everything it would take to become a CRNA with income as your primary motivation, the money becomes a trap if you don't love what you do. It just keeps you from leaving for a job you ARE passionate about.

ICUnursetoCRNA · Mar 12, 2008

That seems like an awful lot of time and money to waste if you don't want to be a nurse. :down: Be a teacher, it will save you a lot of time. Being a CRNA is a nurse that administers anesthesia. Your still a nurse.

gasmaster · Mar 12, 2008

Teacher vs CRNA? Do you realize that this these career paths couldn't be any more different? I think you need to really research each role deeply. Money isn't what matters. You must choose the path that suits you best. Becoming a CRNA will be very hard work, and it is very science oriented. You must strive from day one to make those grades and to excel. It's all uphill from there.

MB37 · Mar 13, 2008

Once you're in college, you can start taking the prerequisites for the nursing program. They're usually much harder than courses for other majors, and if you're considering nursing and want to graduate in anything close to 4 years you usually need to start w/prereqs the first semester - for a BSN, you still have to take all the English, sociology, foreign language, etc. courses that your university requires, but you need to fit them all into the first 2 years. They'll all count if you decide on education. At least where I live, you can become a teacher without an education degree - they'll hire just about any college graduate on the promise that you'll start trying to earn a certificate - you can teach school with a BSN in Florida, I'm sure (although I haven't specifically looked into it).

Where did you come up with these two careers? I know I hadn't even heard of CRNAs when I was in high school, and I was planning on becoming a lawyer - you may change your mind another 17 times before you're old enough to have the experience to apply to a CRNA program. Do you know people in these two professions? Maybe a friend's parent? Ask if you can go to a school and volunteer. Then ask to have lunch or coffee with the CRNA and bring questions. Maybe you'll be able to shadow and learn what they do firsthand (are there any age/education restrictions on shadowing? I'm in NS and 28, so I never thought to check). You shold definitely be able to shadow an RN for a day, knowing that you'll have to work as one for a minimum of 1-2 years before you can apply, and get glowing references while you're there. How do you know you'd hate bedside nursing? If you really think you will, you should probably consider a third choice of careers. There are many other professions that pay well out there, and they're probably easier to get into.

manavi · Mar 14, 2008

Why don't you combine your two interests and become a CRNA educator?

AdonaiLoveable · Mar 15, 2008

I agree with Manavi,

I plan to combine my love for nursing, the specialty of anesthesia, education, and research to someday become a CRNA in academia. That way I can practice what I love, study what I love, and teach what I love all in one career.

Adonai

yessy28 · Mar 25, 2008

what other high paying proffesions are out there?/

zerby1470 · Mar 28, 2008

If you are doing anything solely because you are paid well, you will likely be unhappy. Find what you love, and find a way to be comfortable with it. Will you live for money, or use money to live? Also, in my experience, the CRNA's ARE nurses at the bedside...of the OR bed. But first and foremost, they are damn good nurses.

J1016 · Jun 19, 2008

i am a high school student who is thinking about becoming a crna or a teacher. looking over the crna jobs most people liked their jobs and seems like a fitting one for me. however imnot too great in chemistry im ok with biology. i love to read and especially write and i am good w/ kids. however, salary counts for me...amidst helping kids learn i dont see why i have to get 50,000 w/ a masters when i can get 120, oo? want do you think..crna i know its hardwork but if i do become a nurse im do not plan to stay in bedside.....what do you think?

I too would love to know where you got these two career ideas. It seems that teaching is really your passion, yet you strive for a high-paying career. Teachers make more than 50K with a masters. Think about how much principals make....I'm in Michigan and know a 36 year-old high school principal who makes 140,000 a year....very similar to my mom who is a CRNA. I also know Elementary School principals make around 90k+. I have a family friend who is 30 years-old, with a masters, and makes 75K as a teacher. NOT BAD for having three months off...I think you NEED to realize that there IS money in teaching, with time and further education. I graduated with my Bachelors in Teaching, and caused myself lots of stress debating whether or not I wanted to be a CRNA like my mom. I was afraid a teaching career would not bring me enough money, but I am perfectly content where I am. Everyone says it, and it's true...you MUST choose a career based off of interest and not money. Don't fool yourself into thinking you're interested in something just because you're interested in the money. It seems you ask many questions about how much careers make, but do you ask what the job entails, or what the people enjoy about their career? Good luck, and remember you have plenty of time ahead of you. If you truly love both anesthesia and teaching, then be a crna teacher someday. :specs:

yeSICU · Jun 20, 2008

i am a high school student who is thinking about becoming a crna or a teacher. looking over the crna jobs most people liked their jobs and seems like a fitting one for me. however imnot too great in chemistry im ok with biology. i love to read and especially write and i am good w/ kids. however, salary counts for me...amidst helping kids learn i dont see why i have to get 50,000 w/ a masters when i can get 120, oo? want do you think..crna i know its hardwork but if i do become a nurse im do not plan to stay in bedside.....what do you think?

I wouldn't focus so much on the money as what each career has to offer. I am a former teacher, now an ICU RN, and currently applying to CRNA school. You definitely have to do your time before you can even apply. As an ICU RN you will work 12 hour shifts when normal people sleep and become familiar with every secretion and orifice the human body has to offer.

As a CRNA you have a job where you have a high level of autonomy, education, responsibility, and freedom. CRNA's seem to have a high level of group solidarity (which I look forward to). I want this career because it is a challenging role with lots of flexibility to me as an individual, and I get to work with people. I can move pretty much anywhere and find a job. I have multiple cases and an ever changing array of patients throughout the day. The pay is nice, but you get it because you earn it. It is not easy work and you must be able to keep a clear head in some very dire situations, but it is a highly respected profession that has a lot to offer someone that is facsinated by physiology and pharmacology. It will also allow me to provide for my family and spend time with them. I will let you know about the hardcore nature of the education compenent when I get there (hopefully).

For me personally, teaching did not appeal to my desires for a career. There is little ability to move geographically because a newer grad with a lower pay requirement will always get the job (experience does not talk... money does) I loved the kids, but not teaching. I was the fun teacher that had no disciplining skills and the kids liked to talk to and invited to their hockey games. lol. The kids were great, but giving a D to a child that tried harder than any other in the room was too hard for me to deal with. You HAVE to evaluate them fairly and accurately. It isn't as fun as you might think it will be. It is hard work, so don't go into it blind. Volunteer in a classroom if you can. Understand that you take your work home with you and there is no set work hours (report cards come home with you and conferences keep you all night). I went into teaching with a glorified idea of what it would be, only to find myself disappointed. I have so much respect for the teachers out there. Your heart definitely has to be in it, because the summers off aren't even close to proper compensation. (I might have stuck with it if I would have chosen my audience better, I think I would do better with college aged students... which I plan on doing in the future)

Nursing and teaching are both very noble professions where the pay doesn't even begin to equate with the services they provide to society as a whole. You have to love what you do if you go into either profession or you will burn out fast, so be careful and weigh what is ultimately important to you.