Think long and hard

This is not meant to discourage, But to inform. The market for CRNA's is becoming VERY over saturated. Sign on bonuses are almost non existent, jobs are getting scarce(outside of bfe) meaning if there are schools where you live, chance are openings in your area will be hard to come by. Wages have leveled off and will start to decrease as the CRNA mills continuously pump out more and more grads.

For those who would do this job for next to nothing and have complete flexibility of where you can live, this will be a pointless post.

For those are seeking considerable financial gain, and the freedom the work and live wherever you want please do your research.....would be a shame to go through all that expecting 175k+ and end up with 110k gross and 100k in student loans.

All that being said, anesthesia still holds the record for highest satisfaction levels among nurses and is a GREAT, rewarding career in and of itself. Just know that if you're going into it for the money, you will be sorely disappointed.

How long have you been a CRNA? Are you having trouble finding a job? Several of my classmates are lined up to make 140k plus overtime potential. Did you research your stats or just have a feeling?

On my schools website (TWU) there is a graph showing post graduation employment and its 100% for the last 4 years. There are 2 schools in the DFW area and between each CRNA school there is 150+ CRNAs graduating each year and not one of them has struggled to find jobs and the pay in DFW is averaging around 120-140 depending on hours and benefits. Not sure where you are getting your info or your reservations but the Texas area is prospering greatly and has one of the highest number of CRNA schools in the state. I would love to know where you are located (region).

My class of 23 graduates in 3 weeks, all but 2 have jobs. Some have had 2 or 3 different offers. The two that are still looking are not sure if they are staying in the area but have leads and interviews. Most over the 160+. So I would say to research the area you want to live and work. While some areas may be 'over saturated' others are not.

Everyone makes valid points. And this isn't the first time I've heard oversaturation in some markets. A professor I spoke with at FIU told me while the boom times of the mid 2000s are gone, there's not CRNAs out there struggling for work.

It also helps to keep the cost of your education low, in order to realize your full earning potential after school.

The last thing we want is see new CRNAs having the same problems as some new lawyers.

I'm concerned about this issue as well. Does anybody know how the job market is in Oklahoma. There's only one job listing on gasworks...

The job market has changed and you should not go into anesthesia primarily for the income. Saying that, there are good jobs available for new grads. Employers are being a little more selective, looking for grads that will be a good fit for them and not just throwing an offer at anyone who has completed the first year of a program. Employers are waiting until closer to graduation, or until boards are passed to offer a job. In the past they have been burned by students accepting a job, and then not honoring the comittment when graduation comes. Also students taking the entire summer off because they have a signed contract and they delay taking boards so they can have fun in the sun.

I would estimated that 75% of jobs that new grads are offered are never put on gasworks. As one department head told me, if it's posted on gasworks then you have all kinds of people apply that he doesn't want to deal with. It's networking that finds the jobs.

In my area, new grads are having NO trouble finding jobs. Also, still making $150k +. You have to take into consideration that once schools start going to Doctorate programs, the "CRNA mills" will not be "pumping out" new grads. People are lazy and won't want to do the extra work that it will take to become a CRNA. Also just heard that they are cutting down the residency program in my area for M.D.'s......so this means more jobs for CRNA's :)

Wish this could sway me but I'm afraid I've got the next 10-15 years cut out for me.