I am graduating highschool this month and will be starting college in July. I am still deciding what I would to major in and becoming a CRNA has interested me. Here are some questions I have:
1. What are the typical work hours?
2. I have done some research, but just to make sure...is it majoring in nursing then 1-2 years working as a nurse and then go on for more schooling and exams from there?
3. Best places to work. (Meaning different states/countries)
4. Starting pay and how I should expect after 5 yrs 10yrs 15yrs
5. Is the job enjoyable?
6. What fields are the best. (Not sure how to ask this but, does working around heart surgery or something serious marke more money than say someone who works with small surgeries like hernias?
And if you have any other input on CRNAs please let me know.
Thank you!
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Yes, you need a BSRN (bachelors) 1 year MINIMUM critical care experience and then admission to the very competitive CRNA masters. You will NOT be running complex cases like heart cases, the anesthesiologist does those. More often you will doing conscious sedation for procedures, surgicanter cases, lower risk cases, nerve blocks, spinal anesthesia, etc. In some areas, CRNAs are not even used at all. There are no typical work hours because it depends on where & what you do. They can possibly be 27/7 coverage, on call, or 7-4p at a surgi center. You will have to research pay & locales to work once you are in the program as that is a very fluid area and can change.