Was CRNA worth it all?

Specialties CRNA

Published

CRNAs: those of you who made it through the grueling process of becoming a CRNA, do you feel it was worth it? I’m asking in terms of quality of life, finance, respect. I am currently 25 y/o working in an MICU at level 1 trauma center downtown Chicago. Seriously considering applying to CRNA schools in Illinois within the next 1-2 years. Thank you in advance for feedback.

If it helps, I put him through his schooling before I went back, where I worked and he just went to school. Its building a future together and supporting each other.

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On 3/5/2019 at 7:34 AM, mattk853 said:

DreameRN,

I'm an accelerated BSN student right and now want to pursue CRNA. I'm curious to know, what were your stats like for CNA school? (GPA, experience, etc) and a little more personal, how are you managing the program in terms of living and finances. That's probably mine, and others, biggest concerns. Any insight is highly appreciated and congrats!

Mattk853,

There are plenty of threads devoted to “stats” for CRNA school. I created this thread asking CURRENT CRNA’s and SRNA’s about their opinions on the field. Please do not thread hijack.

And BTW don’t you think you’re placing the cart in front of the horse here? Focus on passing the NCLEX and then establishing yourself in a high acuity ICU dude. Both of which are not guaranteed feats.

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On ‎3‎/‎9‎/‎2019 at 5:16 PM, murse1293 said:

Mattk853,

There are plenty of threads devoted to “stats” for CRNA school. I created this thread asking CURRENT CRNA’s and SRNA’s about their opinions on the field. Please do not thread hijack.

And BTW don’t you think you’re placing the cart in front of the horse here? Focus on passing the NCLEX and then establishing yourself in a high acuity ICU dude. Both of which are not guaranteed feats.

murse 1293,

Man, happy Monday, go back to sleep and try waking up on the right side of the bed. I was trying to look for stats but had no luck so thought i'd reach out to others who JUST RECENTLY applied. Things change when there's threads from 4 years ago.

It's not placing a cart in front of the horse when you're planning your future. It's how you set up for success. I kindly had a response from someone who is willing to give insight. Don't be an internet troll. Best of luck with your successes with that kind of attitude. lol

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On 3/11/2019 at 7:34 AM, mattk853 said:

murse 1293,

Man, happy Monday, go back to sleep and try waking up on the right side of the bed. I was trying to look for stats but had no luck so thought i'd reach out to others who JUST RECENTLY applied. Things change when there's threads from 4 years ago.

It's not placing a cart in front of the horse when you're planning your future. It's how you set up for success. I kindly had a response from someone who is willing to give insight. Don't be an internet troll. Best of luck with your successes with that kind of attitude. lol

Mattk853,

Surely I am trying to educate you on allnurses etiquette Matt. This is a thread that I created as a question to other active CRNA posters on allnurses. Feel free to create your own thread to gather your own information. Please do not simply post impertinent questions on an already active thread disrupting the topic and flow of my original post(get it?).

We as nurses do not get much sleep, prepare to be chronically tired when you officially become an RN:) But I will heed your advice to get some sleep after these 3 12’s in the micu and then my 8 hour shift at my per diem gig Matt.

Best of luck to you on your endeavors to pass your accelerated BSN program and then passing your NCLEX. Welcome to allnurses Matt.

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well, we hardly ever hear of CRNA's leaving the profession or hating their jobs. Compare that to the reality of ICU nursing and high turnover, and that says a lot. It will be worth it.

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9 hours ago, ICUman said:

well, we hardly ever hear of CRNA's leaving the profession or hating their jobs. Compare that to the reality of ICU nursing and high turnover, and that says a lot. It will be worth it.

Thanks for the feedback ICUman, well said

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On 1/21/2019 at 3:18 PM, offlabel said:

beats 25 years to life in the unit...

I have a lot of crna friends agree to this statement lol

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Despite everything I had to through. I only have one word. ABSOLUTELY!

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Definitely.

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Specializes in CRNA.

It’s a great career if you want to work hard and never stop learning. One of the best decisions I ever made and I kind of stumbled into it after 5 years in the ICU. Can’t imagine doing anything else.

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I’ve been an ICU nurse for 4 years (medical ICU, CVICU, CCU). I’ve been thinking A LOT about going to CRNA school because I love taking care of challenging patients, but I kind of want to get away from the bedside. I’m married with a 2.5 year old, we live in Houston (and don’t plan on moving anywhere else), so I would really love to get some insight from those in a similar situation. My husband is in the Air National Guard, has a comfortable income and will also be transferring me his GI bill to pay for MOST of the program. The financial aspect of it isn’t what I’m worried about...I just want to hear from people who have young families. How did CRNA school go for you and your family? What sacrifices had to be made? Do you have regrets? If you’ve graduated and are working now, was it all worth it?? Any advice or insight is helpful.

Thanks!!

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On 5/6/2019 at 7:52 PM, atrevinoRN said:

I’ve been an ICU nurse for 4 years (medical ICU, CVICU, CCU). I’ve been thinking A LOT about going to CRNA school because I love taking care of challenging patients, but I kind of want to get away from the bedside. I’m married with a 2.5 year old, we live in Houston (and don’t plan on moving anywhere else), so I would really love to get some insight from those in a similar situation. My husband is in the Air National Guard, has a comfortable income and will also be transferring me his GI bill to pay for MOST of the program. The financial aspect of it isn’t what I’m worried about...I just want to hear from people who have young families. How did CRNA school go for you and your family? What sacrifices had to be made? Do you have regrets? If you’ve graduated and are working now, was it all worth it?? Any advice or insight is helpful.

Thanks!!

This might sound strange, but if you love taking care of challenging patients, and you thrive on that, CRNA might not be all that attractive to you. Most of what we do, when done right, is very routine and mundane. Elective surgeries are mostly, mostly boring. Of course there are the moments of excitement, the ruptured AAA, the head bleed, the crash section, etc, but most people don't do those most of the time, even in the most acute of centers. If I were you, I would shadow a CRNA for several days to get a true sense of the job.

Good Luck.

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