Why the huge draw towards CRNA?

augigi, CNS · Oct 5, 2006

Good pay & interesting, autonomous job in a reasonably short time, I'd say.

Trauma Columnist · Oct 5, 2006

In the US there is a shortage of anesthesia MD's. CRNA's provide the same services at a more cost-effective way. As to the CRNA education: in the US - the programs are extremely competitive and the programs are very intense. CRNA's are another type of advanced practice nurse. These nurses have at least a masters degree and some have doctorates.

For instance, I have two friends who did a CRNA program: their program was 71 hours while mine was 39 hours. The CRNA program also required an 18 month internship.

In the US, though, CRNA's are well-compensated. In my area they start at $115,000 plus. When compared to me, that is quite a bit higher (I am a new-grad CNS).

Hope this clarifies things for you.

rpbear · Oct 5, 2006

I thought that CRNA was something that I might want to do after nursing school, but now that i work with some and see what they do and what they put up with....NO WAY! They work all the weekends and nights, they put up with a lot from the MD'S they work for, and I am not confident enough in my nursing skills to take it to that level yet. Godd luck to all those who what to take that route, you won't see me there.

chicagrl72 · Oct 5, 2006

Thanks for the info. I will look into the advanced nursing degrees since I am clueless!

matt12345654321 · Oct 5, 2006

REASONS:

1. They are the highest paid nurses in existence. Some of them making more than a 200k/yr with 40/hr week BASE SALARY with full BENEFITS, 6 wk vacation, med. ins., mal practice ins, all PAID. They even get paid for the JOB INTERVIEWS. LOL

2. They are not required to be supervised by an anesthesiologist. This is just some hospital policies.

3. You can work anywhere in the united states you want. The demand is high and the supply is low.

4. Some even have interests in anesthesia. LOL

kukukajoo, LPN · Oct 5, 2006

Money and job security would be the two reasons I would choose this if I continue my education further than and RN.

I know I could go anywhere and get a job and be able to actually afford to live in that area while paying three kids tuitions!

chicagrl72 · Oct 5, 2006

Wow! The money is crazy - Don't worry i am not that motivated by money. So when I got an epidural it could have been a CRNA doing it?

What is a CNS ? Does anyone have a good place to check all these acronyms and terms associated with nursing ...such as "bagging a pt" i get that pt is patient but the bagging part sound worse than it is maybe.

thanks ya'll

matt12345654321 · Oct 5, 2006

LOL

CNS is Clinical Nurse Specialist

CNS is Central Nervous System

CRNA is Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

You are right, bagging a patient is not a good sign for the patient. LOL

Yes, it very well might have been a CRNA.

All the initials stand for ridiculously long medical terms or long name job titles.

chicagrl72 · Oct 5, 2006

so if someone's bp and hr are down and you are "bagging them"

what does that mean?

Leselberry · Oct 6, 2006

Actually, as of right now, my plan is to go for my CRNA. Now, just to let you know, that I am just starting, and of course..things change. And by just starting, I mean freshman year in college at 35. But I also know what I want, and I know that I also really really have an interest in working in the ED. So we'll have to see how things go. But it's not just the money. No really, it's not. lol.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Oct 6, 2006

so if someone's bp and hr are down and you are "bagging them"
what does that mean?

"bagging" a pt

oxygenating patient with an ambu bag ...when they are in respiratory distress or during ACLS after being intubated, or while traveling without their ventilator to CT, etc.