I'm a senior in high school currently. I have been researching for a six figure job that takes less than 8 years of education. I have found several over the past month but recently I found out about CRNAs who have the best money to education ratio by far. What I want is a job that I can go home with a smile and a heavy paycheck. Satisfactory seems to be amazing with this job and the pay is above what I was aiming for.
I never looked into the medical field until now yet it seems like something I could really get into. The reason for having less than 8 years of education is so I don't waste all of my youth. I know there are plenty of alternatives but, CRNA seems like a safe route to a happy and successful life.
This is the biggest decision of my life so I'm not taking it lightly. I do not want to switch my career and waste my time picking a direction through life. So before I make it I want to know exactly what I'm getting into.
I want to know from people who have been through this already, why or why not CRNA? Any advice or additional tips will be very appreciated.
Also anything that you found surprising or caught you off guard while becoming CRNA? As in is it what you expected?
(How hard the schooling is for CRNA is not one of my concerns)
I really love how much help and advice I've received from this forum. As much as I appreciate everyone's input, I have taken it all with a grain of salt.
Your advice has opened my mind up to things and made me research stuff that I wouldn't think to look for on my own. As to which I am very grateful for.
I've thought about everything and I don't really want to type it all out, so i'll just tell you my conclusion (for now). If I go into nursing, I'm banking on being a CRNA. As many have said a CRNA is a nurse first (BSN) and if I somehow end up not being one, the other options are good, but I don't want to settle. I want great!
I thought CRNA was a (kind of) fast track to good money. The more I think about it, the longer 7-10 years sound. Long story short, if I'm going to do it, I should go all the way. I am taking the MD route for anesthesia. Knowing me, I probably won't do anesthesia but it's what I'm aiming for now.
What's the difference for me? Having an MD makes me feel more comfortable. If I don't like anesthesia, I have so much to fall back on (At least stuff I'm not scared to fall back on). Not to mention the pay difference.
Just a week or so ago I was afraid of wasting so much of my youth during education. While that might be very real concern still, I see it less and less like wasting my life, and more like building it. I have a feeling I will enjoy education.
Nursing seems like a great path for many people and it is possible I might come back to it down the road, who knows.
Again a million thank you's to everyone for the advice and guidance!!!
Feel free to keep sharing knowledge. I will keep an eye on this thread!
Just a week or so ago I was afraid of wasting so much of my youth during education. While that might be very real concern still, I see it less and less like wasting my life, and more like building it. I have a feeling I will enjoy education.
Let me share a little nugget of wisdom my wife gave me when I said the same thing to her five years ago. I told her, "I don't want to waste the next four years of my life in school." She said, "You will still live those four years. But in four years you will either have your BSN, or no." She's a smart girl. I have learned to listen to her. Now my sights are a little higher, but the same thing applies.
the math thing is pretty true. my original degree was in physics. While there aren't many jobs out there for physics people doing actual physics (unless you have a masters or phd) we get hired like crazy for computer type stuff.
Physics gives a great understanding of the world, teaches complex problem solving..
it was hard as balls though, I barely scrapped by with a 3.5 and had to kill myself to get it.
but when I graduated I got job offers from every computer-(insert anything here) company in the US.
I will be a first year CRNA student at A Topp 5 University this coming Fall and started out in a very similar place. Don't let people deter you from your thought process and setting yourself up for success in the future. Sadly, it has become almost a necessity to look ahead starting in high school because times have changed. With that said,my main motivation for becoming a CRNA is money (don't ever say that in your interview btw). I applied to nursing school two days before the deadline because I had found out about the CRNA life. In high school I was always interested in science and math, I was an athletic trainer and thought I wanted to do that... But there's no money in that. Growing up, I was always a good student, grades were very important in my household and I think those things are great starting point for someone who wants to go in the field.
After high school it is totally possible to complete CRNA school within a year (I will have mine done in 6 years out of high school). How? Because I placed myself in positions to be where I needed to be. To do that, I did the following:
1. Applied and got accepted to my BSN program in 2009
2. While in school, worked a few days a week as a care partner IN AN ICU (it's more than possible as I was a D1 athlete at the same time)
3. Graduated December 2013, and accepted the first position I could find as an ICU Stepdown RN (as I had to move and had no connections... But I had a job offer from the floor I was working on)
4. Consistently emailed my hospital recruiters for any job openings for ICUs. One opened up 6 months after I started floor nursing
5. After 7 months in my ICU (Cardiac Surgery) I took my GRE(shoot for 300, I got 307) and my CCRN certification.
6. As soon as I finished those requirements, I started applying to schools. I specifically chose the schools that didn't require organic chemistry as a pre req- because you learn it in CRNA school. Most schools require 1 year of ICU experience by the time you start CRNA school, so don't wait! I wanted Cardiac Surgery but it truly doesn't matter, we all start from scratch
7. I applied to two schools that both had early acceptance and interviewed October 2015(they told us whether or not we got Accepted by Thanksgiving) Had I not been accepted to either of them, I would have finished my applications that were due by January. Luckily, I was accepted by both, and I chose Duke.
8. I could have chosen my other school, and been able to pay a much more affordable tuition. But I want my resume to speak for itself. Yes the debt is CRAZY. But there is nooooo doubt I will be able to pay it off within 3 years with the CRAZY income I will be making in such a short time. Your Return on your investment is positively measurable and will work in your favor
9. I start this August and can't give you much more insight hahaha
10. DO NOT LET PEOPLE TALK YOU OUT OF ANYTHING THEY HAVE NOT DONE. Especially if they have the mindset of "you have to love your job or you'll be miserable" mindset. I don't think that way, and it doesn't sound like you do either
Please PM if you have any questions. I don't know you, but I know you can do it!!!!
Sorry for for the long post- but it drives my gears when people try and discourage people from doing something positive
There are travel CRNA's... Which is what I plan to do. They make BANK! Just to touch on the job market.; within the next 10 years 60% of the current CRNA job force will be retiring due to told age.
Someone on here implied that it takes 12 years to become a CRNA, and you might as well become an MD. This statement is not true at all, so I have to add my two cents. It can take 12 years if you want it to. For me, it will take 7 years and 4 months from the time I started college. 4 years for the BSN, snagged an ICU job before I graduated, started working a month after grad, finishing up 2 years ICU currently (some schools only require 1...so technically it could take you only 6 years and 4 months ), then 28 months for MSCRNA. From Aug 2010 to Dec 2018, this is not 12 years :) I plan on doing my DNAP later (part time, online!) while working full time, but I'd rather start paying off my loans ASAP than accrue more loans doing an extra year in school.
My school only has the DNP, so I had no choice, but I definitely think your path sounds just like mine! It's definitely doable right?! Congrats on your acceptance
high school? pretty cool. I wonder if the new route is start 9th grade and take BSN general ed college courses while in high school. ( I see high school kids now in college summer schools taking classes nowadays)...knock out the 2 years of gen ed. graduate high school with completed 2 years of gen ed college courses at age 17/18 years old... go to college only for 2 years get bsn nursing -age 21 BSN graduate? ....while in school get in ICU new grad then apply crna.... that cuts the whole thing in half or more....but again start freshman year in high school
), then 28 months for MSCRNA. From Aug 2010 to Dec 2018, this is not 12 years :) I plan on doing my DNAP later (part time, online!) while working full time, but I'd rather start paying off my loans ASAP than accrue more loans doing an extra year in school. 
springchick1, ADN, RN
1 Article; 1,769 Posts
True, but a lot of them do. Depending on where OP lives, it could be an option.