Very Unhappy With My Career

deepz · Nov 23, 2006

Well now, on what Bulletin Board was that question posed?
Yes, the CRNA board!

Tranman · Nov 23, 2006

I don't recall the original message poster saying they only wanted advice from CRNAs.

Income aside, I'm absolutely miserable and not sure what to do. Does anyone else out there feel the same way? Is any other CRNA out there as dissatisfied as I am with there career? Please let me know. Thanks for your time.

Do two people have to be in the same profession to understand eachother. You remind me of the patient who says "You don't know what it's like.

I guess not, but it sure does help. You mean if a patient who is addicted to drugs tell you that you don't know what it's like and you've never been an addict that you suddenly can understand where the patient is coming from?

aquaphoneRN · Nov 25, 2006

So, in the future, I should not give advice to anyone unless I have the same job title?

Why do you feel threatened by an non-CRNA giving career advice?

Tranman · Nov 25, 2006

Uhhh...I don't feel threatened at all. why would I feel threatened that you (a non-CRNA) is giving advice to a CRNA? Give all the opinion that makes you happy.

I was merely pointing out the fact that the OP was seeking advice from other CRNA's in a CRNA forum. You then retorted with some non-sense about actually understanding all patients.

Advice? hmmm, idunno about advice. Maybe opinion is ok, but not advice. Just as I don't give legal advice, because I'm not a lawyer or financial advice because I'm not a CFA. But YOU can do as you please b/c apparently you are not ruled by logic. That was just a joke. I'm just kidding ok.

This banter is really silly and not the original intention of this thread, so this is my last response to you. Anyways, the fact that you're here indicates that you may have some interest in becoming a CRNA. I hoped I haven't deterred you in that decision. If you need any advice about CRNA as a career choice, PM me. :lol2:

gazpazzer · Nov 26, 2006

Exactly.

I dont give advice to people asking pointed questions about being a rocket scientist b/c it is so far outside my experience i cannot comment on it in a relevant way. CRNA practice is similar to the regular RN.

So, in the future, I should not give advice to anyone unless I have the same job title?
Why do you feel threatened by an non-CRNA giving career advice?

aquaphoneRN · Nov 26, 2006

You don't have to be a CRNA to see that the poster might be more unhappy with their current employer than their actual career choice.

The poster talks about arrogent surgeons, being rushed to take care of patients, and compromising patient safety for the sake of expedient care.

Certainly these are issues that all RNs have to deal with.

What I would like to know is, how long have they been with their current employer, and how long have they felt this way?

If the feeling of dissatisfaction has been going on for many years with several different employers that's one thing. On the other hand if they've been with the same employer for years and feel this way, why not seek out new employment? It can be scary to leave a place you are acostomed to, but it can be very rewarding. All employers and all institutions certainly are not equal.

Where I live, one of the highest paying hospitals can't retain CRNAs because of working conditions. They all end up leaving for significantly less money but higher job satisfaction at other institutions.

Tranman · Nov 26, 2006

Exactly.
I dont give advice to people asking pointed questions about being a rocket scientist b/c it is so far outside my experience i cannot comment on it in a relevant way. CRNA practice is similar to the regular RN.

Though they share some commonalities, both professions being nurses per se, they couldn't be more different. Or should I say they are more different than they are alike.

Tranman · Nov 26, 2006

You don't have to be a CRNA to see that the poster might be more unhappy with their current employer than their actual career choice.
The poster talks about arrogent surgeons, being rushed to take care of patients, and compromising patient safety for the sake of expedient care.
Certainly these are issues that all RNs have to deal with.
What I would like to know is, how long have they been with their current employer, and how long have they felt this way?
If the feeling of dissatisfaction has been going on for many years with several different employers that's one thing. On the other hand if they've been with the same employer for years and feel this way, why not seek out new employment? It can be scary to leave a place you are acostomed to, but it can be very rewarding. All employers and all institutions certainly are not equal.
Where I live, one of the highest paying hospitals can't retain CRNAs because of working conditions. They all end up leaving for significantly less money but higher job satisfaction at other institutions.

Dang, you've made a liar out of me. Ok, hopefully this is my last post.

OK you really have no idea how bad surgeons can be. I know everyone's had their run ins with surgeons on the unit, but it's not the same as working side by side 8-12 hours a day everyday. Having said that, most of all surgeons I have ever worked with are not egostistical maniacs and are very caring and wonderful people. Yes these are all RN issues, but like I said in the above post. CRNA is more different than it is similar to regular RN work (not my words..."Regular RN").

You've made some insightful points here about job dissatisfaction and local CRNA retention. My original post was not targeted at you per se, just a blanketed statement. I found it humorous that the OP ended his message seeking other CRNA's advice and many responses I remembered reading started out with, "Well, I'm not a CRNA, but....". No biggie b/c there have been good advice posted thus far. Mainly everyone saying the same thing, "get a new job!".

Also, sorry if I came off as a jerk, not my intention. Anyways, enough advice has been given here. I too would really like any update or clarification from our Unhappy CRNA.

aquaphoneRN · Dec 3, 2006

Dang, you've made a liar out of me. Ok, hopefully this is my last post.
OK you really have no idea how bad surgeons can be. I know everyone's had their run ins with surgeons on the unit, but it's not the same as working side by side 8-12 hours a day everyday. Having said that, most of all surgeons I have ever worked with are not egostistical maniacs and are very caring and wonderful people. Yes these are all RN issues, but like I said in the above post. CRNA is more different than it is similar to regular RN work (not my words..."Regular RN").
You've made some insightful points here about job dissatisfaction and local CRNA retention. My original post was not targeted at you per se, just a blanketed statement. I found it humorous that the OP ended his message seeking other CRNA's advice and many responses I remembered reading started out with, "Well, I'm not a CRNA, but....". No biggie b/c there have been good advice posted thus far. Mainly everyone saying the same thing, "get a new job!".
Also, sorry if I came off as a jerk, not my intention. Anyways, enough advice has been given here. I too would really like any update or clarification from our Unhappy CRNA.

This is turning out to be a very positive thread after all. I think it's very easy to misunderstand each other on these forums and I'm rally glad you feel this way and posted again. I also understand your point and I'm sure nurse anesthesia is in may ways different from other forms of nursing.

Now, is the original poster still alive?

Imissthefall · Dec 21, 2006

An excellent post to show it's not always the money. If you're miserable, it doesn't really matter how much you make.
That being said -- I'm also not a nurse, but I think it might be good to work at an outpatient center. I'm not sure about plastic surgery. I don't know if they use CRNA's. My mother spent many years as a scrub nurse for a plastic surgeon and she loved it.
I think it would be an excellent idea to explore non-hospital areas.

Wow, I hope the original poster is reading all these responses he's got! :)

That being said I would look into working with plastic surgeons. Most of them do use CRNA vs DR's and it would be with the same DR, or if it's a practice the same couple of DRs and nurses. I use to work at a plastic surgeons office ( not as nurse but administrative side) and there were 4 plastic surgeons and all the DR's, nurses and CRNA's got along great!!!

Oldsalt · Dec 29, 2006

My 2 cents....

I have had the privilege and opportunity of working in some of the most demanding areas or anesthesia in multiple situations (from sole providers to supervised team approaches)...

First of all - I understand and empathize with your situation. But in my first decade of practice i have found some sage truths

#1 - There is no Ideal and perfect practice for CRNAs

#2 One has to decide on what is the 2 most important factors in a job

- Location

- Pay / benefits/ retirement plan (Financial goals)

-Practice type (supervised vs varying levels of non supervision)

-Work load (call time, w/e, etc...)

- Partners or lack there of...

#3 - There will be a give and take with the above -

IE.........I have found great positions with great staff and wonderful pay - but in the middle of the desert

or

have found a local paradise that pays pennies on the dollar

or have found great paying jobs that would make me a million in less then a decade but the everyday grind was incredible with high risk, unstable, potentially litigious clients.....

The take away advise - take your top 2 - if you can fit more than that - great! - But prioritize and you will find a great deal of satisfaction in what you do....

Good luck

Oldsalt

chiromed0 · Jan 9, 2007

Try being a chiropractor:nono:

Seriously, I think just take a step out of your situation for a minute and realize that there isn't a 'perfect' job. And that's what you have, 'a job'. Your 'purpose' or 'calling' may be in helping people in general but passing gas is a 'JOB'. And to me a "JOB" is a Journey Onto Better things, it's not permanent. Don't feel hopeless.

Like another poster said, take inventory. See what you're dissatisfied with and just change that part. You may not need a whole new engine, just new spark plugs.

The money, I'm sure, must be hard to think about leaving but maybe you can just leave 'part' of it. Scale back your hours/availability and do something completely different. What's a 30K drop in pay if it gives you more life to your years. If your miserable, you just may be taking some years out of your life! If it doesn't pan out...fine...go back to full time but then at least you will know one way or the other.

Then there is always teaching...seems to be what people do when they are sick of the 'doing' part. :monkeydance: