What is it like to be a CRNA ? How many hours a week ? Salary ? Time Off ? Duties ?

air · Mar 2, 2005

Hi there ! I am Mike a 34 year old former software engineer. I lost my job with zillions of other software geeks a year ago or so and I decided to change careers. I am almost done taking all the prereques for PA school and Medical school and am now thinking of being a CRNA instead. All those chem and physics classes also seem to apply to CRNa school. Now I would need to get a nursing degree and a year of critical care experience under my belt.
Part of why I am considering not going to med school specifically is it is too much darn work and time. All I do now is study and I imagine it would get more and more time consuming during med school and residency. But I really do like medicine and I love learning. I also like being in the hospital but dont really want to keep studying and working 80 hours a week. So please tell me what it is like to be a CRNA. How long do you work ? How much call do you take ? What is the job market like ? Do you wish you would have gone to med school or are you totally satisfied with your career ? What are the salaries like ? What is the best salary you ever heard of and the average ? Is it possible to find a decent paying job an only work 6-8 hours a day ? Any input would be appreciated ! Thanks !

Read the Sticky above by Kevin and Craig, it should answer plenty of your questions

WestCoastRN · Mar 2, 2005

I think you are better off directly aiming at medical school than CRNA. You haven't even started your nursing education so far. It takes 2-3 years get an ADN degree. I assume you have a BS not related to nursing or life science, one year of RN experience is a little short to compete with other RNs with 3 or more years of experience. Let's assume you can get in a CRNA program with 2 years of experience. CRNA education takes another 2-3 years. Counting all years together, you won't become a CRNA until 7 years later. You can become a family doctor within the same time frame.

Pete495 · Mar 2, 2005

I look at it a different way. I entered a fast-trac nursing program. It only took me 1.5 years to get a BSN, but that was straight through, including summers. If you find the right program, you can very well complete your education quickly, get a year of critical care experience, and then apply to nurse anesthesia school. All in all, it sounds like it would take 5.5 years to be a CRNA, (1.5 for BSN, 1 for critical care, 2-3 for CRNA school). You will have to have your act together before you apply though, meaning you better have excellent grades, recs, etc. It is fairly competitive out there. I have the benefit of some more experience than just a year, just because the hands on experience is better than anything you will learn in the classroom. Like you, I did not go to medical school because I wanted to have a life outside of my job, and I am thankful today that I did what I did. It can be done with a lot of hard work. Good luck to you

David

Citadel Sam · Mar 2, 2005

I agree with Pete. Since you have all those pre-req's for PA school, you can apply the majority of those classes to an accelerated BSN program, which Pete said is around 18 months. So you can definatley become CRNA within the next 4.5 to 5.5 years.

But I would also like to know What is the job market like ? What are the salaries like ? What is the best salary you ever heard of and the average ?

Thanks.

jnh77 · Mar 4, 2005

Hi, my name is Joanna and I just wanted to make a comment about the time it would take you. I am in a very similar situation. I already have a BS and all of the prerequisites for medical school/nursing school and am seriously considering the decision between MD and CRNA. I do know that where I live, there are accelerated programs for a second degree in nursing that are only 12-14 months. Considering that, the total time would be about 5 years, including a second degree, work experience and a master's program. That is less than the 8-10 years of med school, residency and fellowship. The question I have is what is the future of CRNA job markets, seeing the post about a possible North Carolina legislation worries me. Anyway, it is a very difficult decision and I wish you the best....and any other comments would be appreciated!

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2005

nevermind

jnh77 · Mar 4, 2005

Can you be more specific?

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2005

I was referring to the original poster. It's just the premise of "I'll be a CRNA b/c it's the next best thing to being a doctor". It just seems that the original poster had bad experiences with the IT job and now he's just seeing dollar signs and doesn't want to work too hard for it. It's written all over the post! I don't know how things are in other parts of the country, but no nurse manager wants to have a new grad nurse for only 1 year. Do you know it takes about $40,000 to train a new grad?

jnh77 · Mar 4, 2005

I was referring to the original poster. It's just the premise of "I'll be a CRNA b/c it's the next best thing to being a doctor". It just seems that the original poster had bad experiences with the IT job and now he's just seeing dollar signs and doesn't want to work too hard for it. It's written all over the post! I don't know how things are in other parts of the country, but no nurse manager wants to have a new grad nurse for only 1 year. Do you know it takes about $40,000 to train a new grad?

I do realize that having only 1 year of nursing experience is well below optimal. I also realize the expenses it takes to train a new nurse (or any new employee). I, myself, have other healthcare background experience, which should help. Finally, I would like to add that, as much as I know (which is minimal), a career as a CRNA has many more benefits than just time compared to the medical field, however, there are pros and cons for both fields, just as there are in anything. I suppose that being well informed and open minded are essential to making any decision.

TraumaNurse · Mar 5, 2005

The question should come down to, "Do you want to be a nurse or a doctor?"

If you want to be a doctor go to medical school. A couple of extra years is nothing if you are doing what you really want. I you have your prereqs done and have a BS already, you can become an ER doc in 7 years. Good money, no call (Shift work, yes). It will take you about 8-9 years to become an MDA from the same point.

Now if you want to become a nurse, and more specifically a CRNA, you will have to complete a nursing degree, get your critical care experience and then another 28 months or so graduate school. I think those who have said 5-5.5 years are pushing it. That may be best case scenario, but in reality, you will need more than the 1 year minimum listed in the application. As more and more people apply to CRNA school, the more competitive it is becoming. This means people need more than the "minimums".

The are a few people who will get in with the min. of school and experience, but in reality, CRNA school will take you 6-7 years or longer if you can't find a good accelerated BSN program. The difference in years is not THAT significant.

For those who think CRNA school is an quick and easy ride to a great career and good money, think again. It's tough. So is med school. Pick your poison.

energizerbunny05 · Mar 5, 2005

The question should come down to, "Do you want to be a nurse or a doctor?"
If you want to be a doctor go to medical school. A couple of extra years is nothing if you are doing what you really want. I you have your prereqs done and have a BS already, you can become an ER doc in 7 years. Good money, no call (Shift work, yes). It will take you about 8-9 years to become an MDA from the same point.
Now if you want to become a nurse, and more specifically a CRNA, you will have to complete a nursing degree, get your critical care experience and then another 28 months or so graduate school. I think those who have said 5-5.5 years are pushing it. That may be best case scenario, but in reality, you will need more than the 1 year minimum listed in the application. As more and more people apply to CRNA school, the more competitive it is becoming. This means people need more than the "minimums".
The are a few people who will get in with the min. of school and experience, but in reality, CRNA school will take you 6-7 years or longer if you can't find a good accelerated BSN program. The difference in years is not THAT significant.
For those who think CRNA school is an quick and easy ride to a great career and good money, think again. It's tough. So is med school. Pick your poison.

great post very well analyzed. The OP should definetly take her advice into consideration. You gave your advice without prejudice.