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.
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 : )[/quote']
FYI everything a CNA does a nurse does also when there is no CNA to do it ;-)
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
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.
*** Over the years I have seem maybe a hundred RN from our ICU get accepted to CRNA school. In fact I have never heard of any nurse who could not get in. The formula seems pretty simply, even if putting it into effect isn't.
1. Go to nursing school and get very good grades.
2. Get a job in the highest acuiety ICU you can. The bigger the better. SICU is better than MICU. Some hospital are known for their nurses having a high level of autonomy. Get a job in that hospital. If you want to know what those hospitals are in the upper mid-west PM me and I will tell you. Helps a lot to NEVER mention your desire to become a CRNA.
3. Be a less than average to outstanding ICU RN. Back in the day I used to think that only the high speed ICU RNs got into CRNA school. Boy is that not the case! I have seen plenty of RNs who spend their entire time in ICU avoiding the really sick patients, and who wouldn't be trusted with the really sick patients, get accepted to CRNA school. You will need a letter from your nurse manager so kiss her butt.
4. if you haven't got a bachelors degree get one and get good grades.
5. Get CCRN.
6. Apply after 1-3 years in the ICU.
7. If not accepted take 6-9 graduate credits and get good grades to prove you can do graduate level work then re-apply.
I have never seen anyone who followed those steps not get into CRNA school.
I say go for it, all the way. I am 48 and just got accepted into the nursing program. I once read an article in "Dear Abby." Someone wrote to her saying her kids wanted her to go to a 4 year school program, but that would make her 50 years old when she got done. Abby wrote back to her, "How old are you going to be in 4 years if you don't go to school?" So I don't believe age has anything to do with it. Follow your dreams and you will go far.
As a new grad at OU, or anywhere in OKC really, you can expect around $20/hour. Plus a whopping $6/hr night and $2/hr weekend shift diff. And once your taking the role as a lead nurse, you can get the hardest extra $1/hr you ever worked for lol. I'm assuming you meant Oklahoma when you said ou? We are one of the lowest paying states, but heck our cost of living is next to zero in everyone else's eyes because I have been asked numerous times in other states if we still ride horses to work/school amd live in teepees?! anyways, once you have been at it for a year or two, look into contracts. A buddy of mine is applying to a 14 week contract position in okc for $50/hr. Working in the same place that probably doenst give their highest paid nurse over $25/hr. Of course, by the time you have the experience needed to do contract work, I'm sure you will be starting crna school!
So, at 8 months later, my desire to for this career path has only grown stronger! Thank you all for the positive, yet realistic, feedback. I just finished all my prereqs and submitted my application with a 3.7 GPA and a 81 on the Kaplan. All I can do now is wait for my acceptance (hopefully) letter!
The hardest parts are yet to come. New grad ICU jobs are fewer, CRNA salaries are dropping, areas are saturated, MDAs are pushing back harder than ever, AAs are voicing their opinions more and more... I'm fearing for this field in the future.
On the plus side, even if you make way less as a CRNA than you did sitting at a desk, you can at least sit in a 60 degree room waiting for moments of sheer terror. And you can do that until you're 85 years old!
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
On the plus side, even if you make way less as a CRNA than you did sitting at a desk, you can at least sit in a 60 degree room waiting for moments of sheer terror.
"Sheer terror"! In the OR? LOL. What could possibly happen in the OR that would incite sheer terror?
CountyRat
323 Posts
This post is a joke, right?