Is this job (nurse anesthetist) really as good as Im reading or no?

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

So basically Ive read around 150k a year, 36hr/wk, covered or low and around 7 years of schooling/training and high demand? Am I missing something or is this job perfect?

Specializes in SICU / Transport / Hyperbaric.
I suppose you evidence for the wild statements of money being the major factor? Or are you just pulling this from the air?

Part of being a clinician/provider is understanding evidence based medicine. You can't just say something without evidence. So if you have any studies that show the CRNA are mainly in it for the money and prestige, post them. Otherwise, please stop giving unfounded opinions especially as you are not a CRNA and not a NP either.

No offense intended.

Thank You.

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It gets old reading from the altruistic bunch who act like they never considered the pay raise they would achieve when going from an RN to a CRNA. I highly doubt anyone who has made the transition didn't think about the money. Obviously, it very likely isn't the only reason, but it has to play a part when deciding to pursue such a tough education.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
It gets old reading from the altruistic bunch who act like they never considered the pay raise they would achieve when going from an RN to a CRNA. I highly doubt anyone who has made the transition didn't think about the money. Obviously it very likely isn't the only reason, but it has to play a part when deciding to pursue such a tough education.[/quote']

Sure did. No one would do this for free or a very little pay raise. The debt some of us build up would definitely require a higher income to pay off. I think the problem are those who have never even spoke to a CRNA and haven't started RN school but decided that they will be CRNAs one day. Over half my nursing class were gonna be CRNAs and as far as I know, I'm the only one so far who has gone to school. I'm sure most of it is annoyance.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
It gets old reading from the altruistic bunch who act like they never considered the pay raise they would achieve when going from an RN to a CRNA. I highly doubt anyone who has made the transition didn't think about the money. Obviously, it very likely isn't the only reason, but it has to play a part when deciding to pursue such a tough education.

In the infinite wisdom of the USAF I actually make less as a CRNA than I would have had I stayed on USAF ICU nurse.

When CRNAs try to tell CRNA hopefuls that money should be low on the list of why they want to become a CRNA then maybe there is reason....

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.

In the infinite wisdom of the USAF I actually make less as a CRNA than I would have had I stayed on USAF ICU nurse.

When CRNAs try to tell CRNA hopefuls that money should be low on the list of why they want to become a CRNA then maybe there is reason....

How are you making less if pay is based on rank and time in grade? Did you get demoted? I thought the AF would give you bonuses. Just wondering. I was ADAF for 12 yrs.

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Sure did. No one would do this for free or a very little pay raise. The debt some of us build up would definitely require a higher income to pay off. I think the problem are those who have never even spoke to a CRNA and haven't started RN school but decided that they will be CRNAs one day. Over half my nursing class were gonna be CRNAs and as far as I know, I'm the only one so far who has gone to school. I'm sure most of it is annoyance.

I completely agree with you. In our nursing school orientation years ago and instructor asked who was interested in becoming a CRNA and almost 2/3 of the class raised their hands! Some of which never had patient care experience.

I was a nurse in the army before I went on to achieve my BSN, and have had the opportunity to work with CRNAs while deployed and was asked if I'd like to shadow, so I took the opportunity. I didn't even realize what a CRNA made until I was discharged (everyone in the army gets paid based on rank). All I knew was his job was kick ass and the autonomy and complexity of the job was right up my ally. But back to the point. Some nursing students who never laid a hand on a patient or have never even met a CRNA claim this is the field they want to go into.

As of that I know, I am the only one from my graduating class of over 100 to have been accepted to CRNA school. I'm so nervous but excited to be in this position. It took a long time to get here but ready for the ride!

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Specializes in Anesthesia, Pain, Emergency Medicine.

Not sure how he figures this as nursing corp rank is not broken down based on what type of nursing you do.

Military CRNA also get a very large yearly bonus.

How are you making less if pay is based on rank and time in grade? Did you get demoted? I thought the AF would give you bonuses. Just wondering. I was ADAF for 12 yrs.
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In the infinite wisdom of the USAF I actually make less as a CRNA than I would have had I stayed on USAF ICU nurse.

When CRNAs try to tell CRNA hopefuls that money should be low on the list of why they want to become a CRNA then maybe there is reason....

I'm willing to wager that you are in the vast minority when it comes to actually seeing a pay decrease after becoming a CRNA. The reason CRNA's tell hopefuls to put money low on the list isn't (or at least it shouldn't) be because they will actually make less, as you imply with your statement. Rather it should be focused on how nurse anesthesia is a difficult 2-3 year program of study and if you don't actually have a passion for it, it will be very difficult to make it through.

I make close to 50K gross as an RN in the ICU on night shift with 2 years of experience. I don't think you can find a civilian CRNA position that pays less than that. I would think less than 100k is difficult to find and those positions are probably only latched up by new grad CRNA's that refuse to move.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
How are you making less if pay is based on rank and time in grade? Did you get demoted? I thought the AF would give you bonuses. Just wondering. I was ADAF for 12 yrs.

The retention bonus is higher for AF ICU nurses than CRNAs for the first 4.5-5years after school.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I'm willing to wager that you are in the vast minority when it comes to actually seeing a pay decrease after becoming a CRNA. The reason CRNA's tell hopefuls to put money low on the list isn't (or at least it shouldn't) be because they will actually make less, as you imply with your statement. Rather it should be focused on how nurse anesthesia is a difficult 2-3 year program of study and if you don't actually have a passion for it, it will be very difficult to make it through.

I make close to 50K gross as an RN in the ICU on night shift with 2 years of experience. I don't think you can find a civilian CRNA position that pays less than that. I would think less than 100k is difficult to find and those positions are probably only latched up by new grad CRNA's that refuse to move.

I'm not in the minority just a military CRNA.

All CRNA wannabes should go to their NA interviews and tell the faculty that money is one of their top priorities, if that is the reason that supposably so many CRNAs get into anesthesia then the interviewing faculty shouldn't mind at all.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.

The retention bonus is higher for AF ICU nurses than CRNAs for the first 4.5-5years after school.

Ok. Didn't understand. They paid for a hefty chunk of school then?

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I'm not in the minority just a military CRNA.

All CRNA wannabes should go to their NA interviews and tell the faculty that money is one of their top priorities, if that is the reason that supposably so many CRNAs get into anesthesia then the interviewing faculty shouldn't mind at all.

I don't know if you are upset, but it sounds like you are. My main point in all of this was that CRNA's who act like money isn't an issue and never should be should just stop. Money DOES play a factor in every profession and choosing what one does with their life, whether you want to admit it or not. I've already talked about how it shouldn't be the only or main reason. I just tire of hearing from current CRNA's talk about how people who are intrigued by the profession, partly due to the increase pay are somehow evil/greedy.

And now that I'm thinking about it, who cares if someone went to CRNA school strictly for the money? If they are a competent anesthesia provider after they graduate, why does anyone even care? Yes, I realize this goes against everything I've been saying, but really, who cares why people pick careers? Is a CRNA who went into the profession for the money a bad person?

/rantover. bleh

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