To CRNA's where would you rate your stress level on a scale of 0 to 10.

AbeFrohman, BSN, RN · Oct 31, 2010

That depends on a lot of factors. Current procedure going on, type of practice, level of experience as an anesthetist, stress in school, etc. The overall stress level is very high.

There are plenty of average salary quotes out there if you google it, but it also depends on how much you work, the type of practice, location.

You can find many different schedules. Some work 3 days/12 hours, some 5 days, etc. Personally I prefer the kind where you work until the cases are done for the day with no set hours. I didn't come this far to still be an "hourly" employee.

IowafemaleRN · Nov 1, 2010

Thanks for your reply Abe

nomadcrna, DNP, CRNA, NP · Nov 21, 2010

Abe,

Since I am new to the board, I can't reply to your private message. My email is [email protected].

thanks,

Ron

bread angel · Dec 31, 2010

If you have to ask about the stress level in anesthesia, you need to shadow a couple CRNAs ans see for yourself.

From my perspective, it is high stress (which goes along with value of administering anesthesia), but is a profession, not a job with amazing satisfaction among practitioners and little burn-out.

My income is my business and I would never post it on a public forum. In my opinion, it is bad taste to ask. So as not to appear to be obstructionist, income (not salary) information is available at.

A few personal thoughts--I am a professional, not an hourly worker, I administer anesthesia ... it is not a job. I have an anesthesia business, so I work with my accountant to optimize my take-home income, fund my retirement program and take advantage of all legal business expenses from a tax perspective.

Clearly, anesthesia is different than nursing from a professional perspective. I love the differences.

BCRNA · Jan 2, 2011

I work at a level 1 trauma center and do many types of cases. School was very stressful. I would have to say most of the time stress level is on the low end of the scale, maybe a 3 or so. Doing a trauma may bump it up to a 8 or so. Most of the time it is on the low end. This would depend alot on the person though. I think most of anesthesia is routine, but you do have to be alert all of the time monitering your patient.

I do know some crna's who are constantly on the high end of the stress scale, just their personality. Doesn't matter what kind of cases they do. After you have done a few thousand lap chole's, one more stable chole is no stress at all.

For salary check out salary.com or aana website. It is fairly accurate, may tend to be a few years old. I am part time, 20 hours a week. Most crna's I know are under 40 hours a week. A select few are workaholics, average 60 hours or more a week (completely by personal choice and not forced to do it.)

RN's are professionals too. Granted I will say that crna's tend to be more "professional" when it comes to certain aspects of the job. CRNA's generally only call in when truly sick, not because they want a day off. Have never known a crna who called in just for a free day. Also, we call in much less often. In ten years I have done it twice. Many co-workers have never called in; though I disagree with their coming in sick (another topic altogether).

Just my opinion, but a professional can be an hourly worker also. I guess it depends alot on what your personal definition of professional you are using.