There is a lot that goes into becoming a CRNA. If you’re already a registered nurse, the time and money you’ll have to put in are rather low. If you are a student though, and are looking into nursing, then you have a long way to go. It is important to decide whether the journey will be worth it before embarking on it.
It all depends on exactly what you desire. But, if you are sure that you want to be, or are already a nurse, it is worth it. Becoming a CRNA can be a very fulfilling occupation. Besides that, the earning potential for a CRNA is much greater than for a registered nurse.
You will need to get a master’s or doctorate to become a CRNA. You will also need to write the NCE. There are a lot of requirements, but with dedication, you can achieve them for sure.
This article will discuss the journey to become a CRNA along with the benefits and downsides. The hope is that this will help you make an informed decision on the next step that you wish to take.
What Are the Advantages of Becoming a CRNA?
A certified registered nurse anesthetist is a specially skilled registered nurse. They have received certification to work alongside the surgical team and the anesthesiologist. They have a good number of skills that make them quite valuable to the team.
Reaching this point requires effort and long dedication. If it feels daunting, then look to the end result. Below are some of the benefits that you will gain from becoming a CRNA.
1. Increased earning potential. If you are aiming to maximize your earning potential, becoming a CRNA is an amazing choice. It is worth it if that is one of your major considerations. Among all nursing disciplines, a CRNA is one of the highest-paid. In fact, many times, a certified registered nurse anesthetist is the highest-paid nurse. Compared to an RN, becoming certified as a nurse anesthetist can earn you more than double an RN’s pay. In 2019, the RN salary was a little over $70,000 and nurse anesthetist pay was over $180,000. That is a major difference. Once again, if the financial benefit is a major consideration for you, the journey will be worth it in the end.
2. Improved employment opportunities. In almost any profession, once you narrow down your focus, you become more in demand. A CRNA doesn’t lose the skills of a registered nurse, but also adds a nurse anesthetist’s skills to the mix. This means that you will be more attractive to employers. You will also have more job opportunities as you can now apply for CRNA positions.
3. Good career advancement options. Reaching the top of the career ladder is something that many people want to achieve in their fields. Advancing your career brings a sense of fulfillment and a bump in benefits and pay.
It is fortunate that a CRNA has quite a few career options. A CRNA can decide to focus on a specific area of care. This can be pediatrics or neurosurgery, for instance. This helps focus their skills to provide the absolute best care for patients in a field.
They can also become academics, either by engaging in teaching or research work.
With enough clinical years, they can find themselves as the chief nurse anesthetist. This is more likely when they have administrative or managerial certifications.
4. Personal fulfillment. If becoming a CRNA is something that you have wanted to do for the longest time, it’s hard to say it’s not worth it. Along with the other advantages, if it is your passion, then that is enough to make it worth going for. They are an important part of the team.
What Are the Downsides of Becoming a CRNA?
No profession is perfect. This remains true with becoming a nurse anesthetist. The process that gets you there might be the part that frustrates many registered nurses the most. For some people, some aspects of this process might be a deal-breaker for them. Here are some of the disadvantages of opting to become a CRNA:
1. Courses are expensive. To be fair, college is rather expensive almost anywhere in the United States. Students depend on student loans to be able to fund their way through school. This is the case with CRNA programs as well. Recent changes that make a Doctor of Nursing Practice the necessary minimum qualification. This means that RNs looking at this specialization will need to spend more money and time to get there. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing required 2 years as opposed to 3 for a DNP. Many CRNAs find themselves dealing with student debt years after the fact. But then again, so do most American graduates. The pay for the CRNA position will help get rid of that debt a bit faster too.
2. It takes time and effort. The journey to becoming a nurse anesthetist is rather long. After a 4-year bachelor, they need at least a year of experience, and then 3 years for a DNP. That’s nearly a decade spent chasing the CRNA certification. That is not including the certification examination. You will need to pass that exam to become an official CRNA. For anyone in a rush to end their educational journey, a CRNA might not be the best choice. Many aren’t ready to spend that time and effort going back to school life.
3. Shifts can be tough. This all depends on your workplace or the surgery, but some shifts will be brutal. Certain surgeries can take as long as 12 hours or even more. You will have to be there for the whole procedure and you won’t get the chance for breaks. You will likely also have frequent night shifts and call duties. If you’re not resilient, the stress of being a CRNA may get to you.
In the end, it is all up to you. If you have gone through all the pros and cons listed here, you can make a decision. Balance these against each other and figure out which side you lean towards. Are any of the cons a deal-breaker for you? Are any of the pros and absolute must in your book?
It all depends on you to figure out whether the journey is worth it. If you ask me, it is. But we are all different, so you must decide on your own. The one thing I can promise you is, hate it or love it, being a CRNA is fulfilling.
There is a lot that goes into becoming a CRNA. If you’re already a registered nurse, the time and money you’ll have to put in are rather low. If you are a student though, and are looking into nursing, then you have a long way to go. It is important to decide whether the journey will be worth it before embarking on it.
It all depends on exactly what you desire. But, if you are sure that you want to be, or are already a nurse, it is worth it. Becoming a CRNA can be a very fulfilling occupation. Besides that, the earning potential for a CRNA is much greater than for a registered nurse.
You will need to get a master’s or doctorate to become a CRNA. You will also need to write the NCE. There are a lot of requirements, but with dedication, you can achieve them for sure.
This article will discuss the journey to become a CRNA along with the benefits and downsides. The hope is that this will help you make an informed decision on the next step that you wish to take.