26 yr old male considering a career in nursing (RN to CRNA) Advice please?

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hello, I'm a 25 yr old male, soon to be 26, currently a project coordinator with a large financial institution, and I am considering switching to the medical field and pursuing nursing. I would like to become a nurse anesthetist, and in the mean time learn and grow as an ICU/ER RN. My current job is simply too boring. The business end does nothing for me, and I feel I am tied to a desk all day. I love helping others, and get great gratification out of this. However, I do have my concerns which I will list below.

*To those who are thinking they see this all the time and this thread is pointless, it's my understanding that the field is constantly changing and I am seeking advice from those who are aware, not those with an ungrounded opinion*

Is the field becoming overpopulated? Will I have issue finding something? Is 26 too old to begin a new career in this?

Is it worth the hard work and dedication to studying? I will be broke, and very busy, from now until I land an RN job...

Are there any benefits to being a male in this profession? Will I catch a lot of crap from females?

How is the stress factor? I heard the reason there are tons of out of shape nurses is because they wear themselves out at work and have no energy when their shift is over.

How is the pay? I've heard decent, however I've also heard starting off it can be rather disappointing.

I understand becoming a CRNA is like going through med school for nurses, and this excites me as I know I am an intelligent person. I am anxiously looking forward to the challenge. With that said, is this a realistic goal?

Thanks in advance to everyone providing feedback! Much appreciated.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Esme12 you make it sound pretty rough. I know it won't be easy, so I appreciate your words of wisdom. Wouldn't CNAs do more menial tasks? I want to be in an ICU/ER, so hopefully the tasks won't be too insignificant : )
Contrary to popular belief.....RN's perform "menial" tasks. What tasks do you consider menial? Too insignificant? As a life long ER/ICU nurse I am having trouble with the term insignificant. There are tasks that we delegate to another team member...NOT because the RN feels they are above the insignificant tasks but because another task that requires a license require our immediate attention....like giving a med or starting a line.

To a patient...a clean bed, comfortable sheets, being taken to the toilet, a bath and teeth brushed is not so menial to them.

ICU's have very few CNA's....since the RN has one or two patients it is the RN's responsibility to bathe and care for the patient. If there is an CNA their job is to assist the RN in the care of his/her primary patient. Some ER's have CNA's/EMT's/Techs.... however they have their own individual job responsibility so RN's answer lights, toilet patients and make beds.

Nursing is tough...it's a tough job. salary varies according to area.

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No to Question #1.

Hell yes to Question #2, due to asking Question #1.

This is one of my pet peeves. Men who look at the traditionally-female field of nursing and (without any logical thought process that I can think of) decide that perhaps possessing a different version of genitalia will give them an edge.

I mean, where does that presumption even come from? I seriously don't get it. OP is obviously extremely naive and has much to learn about the real world of nursing, but who/what gave him the idea of male superiority/advantage to begin with? :no:

Being male gives one an edge in pretty much all professions. There is a lot of research on this, I find it odd that people are surprised to hear this.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Having dreams and aspirations all good n stuff but seriously, worry about getting through nursing school first. Then worry about what you want to do afterward, you have to pay your dues like the rest of us. I worked my ass off to get into CRNA school, you should expect to do the same.

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HI.. Actual real live CRNA here. There is no problem with your plan.. AND to BSN is the most cost effective approach. Then you are a leg up on experience. However, if you posses a Bachelor's Degree, there are many many " Shake and Bake" 1 quickie BSN's... Nursing school is not by any means intellectually challenging..However.. the more advanced sciences required for entry into CRNA school can be..eg physics, biochem, organic etc.

A word of advice before you enter into a nursing job... You will be working mostly with women... Beware..DO NOT get involved in . drama, gossip[, backbiting etc..I do not know why men socialize differently from women... but a group of women interact differently than we do.

It will be unlike any milieu you have ever experienced. Go to work.. be sociable on a PROFESSIONAL level.. walk away from cliques, groups, herds etc. Keep you eye on the prize and NEVER EVER EVER tell anyone you are going to be a CRNA... You will be henceforth be thought of " That Uppity CRNA Wanna Be'... PM me for more information if you like.

CRNA school is much easier to get into than in years past. Jobs are not as plentiful and the remuneration is stagnant in may areas...But, it remains the absolute coolest nursing specialty on the planet... It really was not much of a challenge ..Why people make a big deal out of getting into a CRNA program is beyond me.. and once in just a matter of time commitment. Anyone with a modicum of intelligence should not have a problem...And you can essentially sleep through nursing school and pull a 4.0, If money is a problem.. Uncle Sam is a nice way to finance it, in return for a few years in uniform.. Worked out just fine for me.

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First of all, thank all of you for the advice! I truly appreciate the words of wisdom from those not only in a similar situation as mine, but those who have dedicated years to the nursing profession and are willingly providing helpful advice.

I want to backtrack on my 'menial' and 'insignificant' tasks comment. In no way do I believe any duty of a nurse, whatsoever, is insignificant to the patient. I strictly meant that in a priority list of sorts. I am anxious and ready to pay my dues. I will not shy away from dirty work, as I'm sure once I get to where I want to be, I will not be doing much of this dirty, but very significant work. It seems CRNAs have more specialized matters to attend to.

The reason I even looked into anesthesia in the first place is because of what the field involves, not because of the pay. I had no clue how much they made until after it struck my curiosity. This is why I tend to think I am setting this goal for the right reasons. With that said, I do not currently work in the medical field, and it's very possible once I get some experience underneath my belt, I could easily take a different route. However at first glance, CRNA is by far what I want to pursue.

As far as inquiring as to whether males have an advantage, I am the jock type, 6'2 220lbs, and feel I can focus well under pressure. I would like to think my physical and mental attributes can benefit patients, but I could easily be wrong. Women are vastly superior in the empathetic and understanding ways.

ruler of kolob -- keep an eye out for a PM sir. Thank you!

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Specializes in SICU / Transport / Hyperbaric.
First of all, thank all of you for the advice! I truly appreciate the words of wisdom from those not only in a similar situation as mine, but those who have dedicated years to the nursing profession and are willingly providing helpful advice.

I want to backtrack on my 'menial' and 'insignificant' tasks comment. In no way do I believe any duty of a nurse, whatsoever, is insignificant to the patient. I strictly meant that in a priority list of sorts. I am anxious and ready to pay my dues. I will not shy away from dirty work, as I'm sure once I get to where I want to be, I will not be doing much of this dirty, but very significant work. It seems CRNAs have more specialized matters to attend to.

The reason I even looked into anesthesia in the first place is because of what the field involves, not because of the pay. I had no clue how much they made until after it struck my curiosity. This is why I tend to think I am setting this goal for the right reasons. With that said, I do not currently work in the medical field, and it's very possible once I get some experience underneath my belt, I could easily take a different route. However at first glance, CRNA is by far what I want to pursue.

As far as inquiring as to whether males have an advantage, I am the jock type, 6'2 220lbs, and feel I can focus well under pressure. I would like to think my physical and mental attributes can benefit patients, but I could easily be wrong. Women are vastly superior in the empathetic and understanding ways.

ruler of kolob -- keep an eye out for a PM sir. Thank you!

I believe the sir you are referring to is actually a female.

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I believe the sir you are referring to is actually a female.

Really ? "Ruler of Kolob" said: "I do not know why men socialize differently from women ... but a group of women interact differently than we do."

Ah ... that would seem to indicate that "Ruler" is a guy.

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Specializes in SICU / Transport / Hyperbaric.

Really ? "Ruler of Kolob" said: "I do not know why men socialize differently from women ... but a group of women interact differently than we do."

Ah ... that would seem to indicate that "Ruler" is a guy.

Her profile says female. Huh, got me then. I guess the profile could be wrong.

Well then, I owe you an apology Sir. I apologize.

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Specializes in NTICU.

The question if being a male is an advantage I would say yes and no. Being a larger guy like myself it is not uncommon for me to get the 400-500lb patient because of my size and strength. There would be days when I worked in ICU and it was all male nurses working and I can tell you from experience I have stood between a couple a few times to stop a fist fight. Women can be catty and gossip (and some men) just don't get envolved with it. As for patients, I have had females who only wanted female nurses and I have had males who only wanted male nurses. So you just learn that each patient is going to be different and if you can try to accommodate it then do it.

When you work ICU and ER there is times it is all total care. In ICU you might not have a CNA like I did many nights and in the ER the tech might be busy (I have 3 rooms and the tech has 12 with 4 other nurses). So treat your tech and CNA with respect because they might teach you something you didn't know. Just because they didn't go to nursing school doesn't mean they are not as capable as you are.

Another way to help find out if this is what you want to do is maybe do a job shadowing of an ICU/ER RN and a CRNA to see if this is what you want to do.

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Run from this idea, Run don't walk! I made the mistake of going down the path that you are contemplating. I can't get into a new grad program and relocating to another state is impossible. I wish I had just invested the money I spent on school in the stock market. Nursing has only been a bust for me! (Also I will not work in a SNIF)

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go for it. Nursing is very, very stressful. A totally different kind of stress than you are used to. I say the more guys the better in nursing. get a feel for nursing. Its very very hard.

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I have been a med-surg RN for 3 years now. During nursing school, I wanted to get my MBA/MSN to eventually be in the management side of nursing. I completed by ADN-RN, got a job as a GN and worked on my BSN-C while working as a RN. I have recently started my FNP education. Bottom line is that your ideas, hopes, goals, etc. will probably change a few times during nursing school and when you start working as a RN. My best suggestion to you is to take things one step at a time.

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