Typical schedule/hours for a CRNA

Specialties CRNA

Published

Hi,

I am looking into becoming a CRNA but, my impression of the profession seems like CRNA's are mainly used on-call, like surgeons, with pagers attached to their hips. Is this true?

Is it possible to be a CRNA and have a regular 9 am to 5 pm gig? Do most CRNA's work in hospitals?

Thanks!

Anastasia

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Specializes in CRNA.

If your working hours are the primary concern, then nurse anesthesia doesn't seem like a good fit. There are a lot of jobs with 9-5 hours (other than nurse anesthesia) A lot of surgical cases are planned, often in the day time. Many are emergency. Nurse anesthesia school is very demanding and it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, if you are not 100% committed.

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I am committed and that's not the issue. I just want to have set hours and not be on-call, attached to my pager. From what I have seen CRNA's can work 16 hour shifts a few days per week which is fine. I just don't want to get a call at 3 am asking me to come into work.

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Yes you can punch in and punch out like any factory worker if you like, you can even be an applience CRNA if you wish.

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Specializes in CRNA.
I am committed and that's not the issue. I just want to have set hours and not be on-call, attached to my pager. From what I have seen CRNA's can work 16 hour shifts a few days per week which is fine. I just don't want to get a call at 3 am asking me to come into work.

Surgeries are scheduled by the surgeon, not by the CRNA, and trust me the surgeon's don't care what I want. There are different amounts of call at different jobs, and on this discussion board I've seen CRNAs talk about doing 'shifts' so I guess they are out there. If you look at it from the patient perspective you will understand how the shift mentality is not very attractive. If I'm the patient having surgery and the procedure goes longer than planned I'd prefer to have someone doing my anesthesia who will finish the case happily, if I need emergence surgery at 3 am I want someone who is well prepared to care for me no matter if it is conveinent for them. I think you are taking a risk in going for nurse anesthesia, you are likely to be unhappy.

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