Where do CRNAs go out to pasture?

Specialties CRNA

Published

This is a half serious question, but I was wondering where CRNAs go after being CRNAs? I know after many years of ICU, I look at the people who are still ICU nurses after 30+ years and say..."that won't be me"! Can one keep up the intensity of being a CRNA until retirement? Can the CRNAs out there still see themselves passing gas at 65? I guess I am just pondering the longevity of a career in anesthesia, especially for us who are not really spring chickens anymore either. I know there are several people on this board who have been CRNAs for a long time, so I would love to hear peoples opinions about this. Thanks.

TraumaNurse

612 Posts

This is a half serious question, but I was wondering where CRNAs go after being CRNAs? I know after many years of ICU, I look at the people who are still ICU nurses after 30+ years and say..."that won't be me"! Can one keep up the intensity of being a CRNA until retirement? Can the CRNAs out there still see themselves passing gas at 65? I guess I am just pondering the longevity of a career in anesthesia, especially for us who are not really spring chickens anymore either. I know there are several people on this board who have been CRNAs for a long time, so I would love to hear peoples opinions about this. Thanks.

loisane

415 Posts

That is one of the best things about anesthesia, the variety of practice settings.

My solution to a more laid back job has been outpatient anesthesia at a surgicenter. All day shift, no call, no weekends.

Some people design their own "job" by negotiating individual practice arrangements with surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, etc. You have to carrry your own benefits, which actually gives you more control over them.

On the other hand, I have worked with many people who worked call right up until retirement at age 60-65.

Even after retirement age, some CRNAs continue to do locum work. They can travel, and work as much, or as little as they like. If they don't feel energetic enough to do marathon call shifts anymore, those locum assignments do exits, you just have to know what you are getting into.

So there are a lot of choices. Salaries are good right now, so with good planning, you can retire earlier than in other fields. But the provider shortage is so bad, it is a good thing that so many CRNAs only semi-retire.

loisane crna

loisane

415 Posts

That is one of the best things about anesthesia, the variety of practice settings.

My solution to a more laid back job has been outpatient anesthesia at a surgicenter. All day shift, no call, no weekends.

Some people design their own "job" by negotiating individual practice arrangements with surgeons, dentists, podiatrists, etc. You have to carrry your own benefits, which actually gives you more control over them.

On the other hand, I have worked with many people who worked call right up until retirement at age 60-65.

Even after retirement age, some CRNAs continue to do locum work. They can travel, and work as much, or as little as they like. If they don't feel energetic enough to do marathon call shifts anymore, those locum assignments do exits, you just have to know what you are getting into.

So there are a lot of choices. Salaries are good right now, so with good planning, you can retire earlier than in other fields. But the provider shortage is so bad, it is a good thing that so many CRNAs only semi-retire.

loisane crna

yoga crna

530 Posts

CRNAs tend to be more career oriented than RNs in general. As a result we tend to stay in the field for a long time. I personally know a number of CRNAs who retired and then started to fill in for others, essentially coming out of retirement.

Personally, I plan to practice until I am 70, as long as I am healthy and make good clinical decisions. One of the things that make it such a wonderful field is the number of options out there.

YogaCRNA

yoga crna

530 Posts

CRNAs tend to be more career oriented than RNs in general. As a result we tend to stay in the field for a long time. I personally know a number of CRNAs who retired and then started to fill in for others, essentially coming out of retirement.

Personally, I plan to practice until I am 70, as long as I am healthy and make good clinical decisions. One of the things that make it such a wonderful field is the number of options out there.

YogaCRNA

TraumaNurse

612 Posts

Thanks for your responses. It is always refreshing to hear the positive attitudes of practicing CRNAs. It helps to reinforce some of the many reasons why I want to be a CRNA.

TraumaNurse

612 Posts

Thanks for your responses. It is always refreshing to hear the positive attitudes of practicing CRNAs. It helps to reinforce some of the many reasons why I want to be a CRNA.

meandragonbrett

2,438 Posts

Originally posted by TraumaNurse

especially for us who are not really spring chickens anymore either.

That is too funny! I've never heard that one before!

Brett

meandragonbrett

2,438 Posts

Originally posted by TraumaNurse

especially for us who are not really spring chickens anymore either.

That is too funny! I've never heard that one before!

Brett

u-r-sleeepy

98 Posts

I've been around CRNAs in their 70s - still sharp and like what they're doing. They're doing it because they still LIKE what they do! How's that for a "career choice"?

u-r-sleeepy

98 Posts

I've been around CRNAs in their 70s - still sharp and like what they're doing. They're doing it because they still LIKE what they do! How's that for a "career choice"?

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