Why do aspiring CRNAs change their goals?

Nurses General Nursing

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It seemed like at least 50% of my nursing school had CRNA in mind for their career goal. Even many of the new grads at my current position seem to hold true to this. Experienced nurses can attest to this I'm sure. Obviously not everybody who wants this career ends up there. My question is why? Anybody out there who changed career goals willing to share?

I have listened to the experiences of my seasoned mentors who cited life circumstances, pre-requisites, and the tough job market as some reasons.

Thanks for sharing!

Disclaimer: I would have posted this in pre-CRNA, SRNA, or CRNA forum, but didn't expect there to be too many people with the stories I'm seeking.

Specializes in PDN; Burn; Phone triage.
As we have talked before, advance practice (MD/DO, PA. CRNA etc) has always been in my mind simply because of the responsibility, money, challenge and the fact that I can not handle being a floor nurse for the rest of my life.

You and just about everyone else, dahlin'.

I still say that we're due for that huge NP/CRNA bubble to burst. I do ICU-ish stuff now and actually see it quite a bit with both coworkers and (weirdly) patients. FNPs swearing the job market is so much better for ACNP and vice versa. CRNAs being underemployed or misemployed as part-time or PRN or working all day and also having to take call by physician groups angling to pay the least salary for the most reimbursement.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

Well that's sort of the whole point of this thread. For me to try and figure out why everybody who states they want to become CRNAs ends up not doing it. Maybe they will align with some of my own current reservations and I'll make an effort to change my plans. I'm sure this has been a sought-after career for far longer than my nursing class, yet there are still anesthesia schools training and CRNAs been hired.

I read the other day that the average age of a nurse anesthetist in the US is 49. This is probably partly due to the recession bringing would-be retirees back to the field. As the economy continues to improve and people start feeling comfortable to retire again, more openings will be available for the next generation. Clearly not everyone is fulfilling their nursing school dreams. Advanced degrees seem to require huge commitments, even postponement of other natural life plans (spouse, house, kids). ICU experience is tough, CCRN is tough, so are the required sciences. "It comes down to a simple choice. You can get busy livin or get busy dyin."

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.

I have yet to meet any type of nurse who is working in the specialty that he/she was firmly fixated on when starting nursing school. Nursing school changes things, particularly clinicals and observation experiences. You go to nursing school determined to work in LDR, then fall in love with hospice. You're positive that you want to work in the OR, then realize you'd rather have patients who can talk to you. Or, more likely, vice versa:yes:

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Most new grads say they want to be CRNAs because of one thing: $. Then they realize how difficult CRNA programs are, and how hard they are to get in to, the they change their minds.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
Obviously not everybody who wants this career ends up there. My question is why? .

Because the ONLY reason they said they wanted to be CRNA in the first place was for the money.

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Yep, probably 75% of my class said they were going to CRNA school. The number 1 reason? The pay. Also, it was always the worst students who had such aspirations.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.
Yep probably 75% of my class said they were going to CRNA school. The number 1 reason? The pay. Also, it was always the worst students who had such aspirations.[/quote']

Why do you suppose it was the worst students who wanted that career? From what I've researched it seems very tough to get into, and even harder during anesthesia school itself. To top that off, the scope of practice, implied responsibility, and accountability of an independently working anesthetist are considerable. For those reasons and more, I would say it makes sense for a CRNA's monetary compensation to be what it is.

Have you kept in touch with your class to learn how many have or are still pursuing this goal? Thanks :)

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Why do you suppose it was the worst students who wanted that career? From what I've researched it seems very tough to get into, and even harder during anesthesia school itself. To top that off, the scope of practice, implied responsibility, and accountability of an independently working anesthetist are considerable. For those reasons and more, I would say it makes sense for a CRNA's monetary compensation to be what it is.

Have you kept in touch with your class to learn how many have or are still pursuing this goal? Thanks :)

i am am speaking about my class ONLY, not nurses in general. I'm in touch with everyone, as we love in a small town, and no one is pursuing it.

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.

Why do you suppose it was the worst students who wanted that career? From what I've researched it seems very tough to get into, and even harder during anesthesia school itself. To top that off, the scope of practice, implied responsibility, and accountability of an independently working anesthetist are considerable. For those reasons and more, I would say it makes sense for a CRNA's monetary compensation to be what it is.

Have you kept in touch with your class to learn how many have or are still pursuing this goal? Thanks :)

You would be astonished as to how many of my peers have said anesthesia has to be the easiest job, that crnas just sit and stare at monitors, and have a cushy gig for a lot of money. That is why it is A LOT of the worst students with the short lived aspiration.

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Specializes in ICU, OR.

Because at first I would have had to take the GRE or MAT, and hated studying for those tests and never scheduled either. Because I waited too long to go back to school. Because I had kids. Because when I finally got my act together to apply, I decided I couldn't afford to (a) not work for two years and (b) gain $50,000 in student loans.

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Specializes in Med Surg.
Why do you suppose it was the worst students who wanted that career?

In my experience, the students who talked about money the most were with worst. It's an almost dead giveaway. They appear to believe they are entitled to a great salary just for showing up.

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Because at first I would have had to take the GRE or MAT, and hated studying for those tests and never scheduled either. Because I waited too long to go back to school. Because I had kids. Because when I finally got my act together to apply, I decided I couldn't afford to (a) not work for two years and (b) gain $50,000 in student loans.

If you think the GMAT or GRE are daunting I shudder to think of what you say if you took a look at the MCAT...

GMAT and the GRE are pretty basic tests to quantify a person's reasoning abilities and knowledge gained in undergrad, if that is a boundary then CRNA should have never been an option. I would be more worried about ochem or biochem as the prereqs.

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