I have a B.S. major Biology specialization in Microbiology and a Minor in Chemistry. I worked a crazy job 70+ hr./week and 3rd shift for a good chunk of my degree. I also got married had a kid, basically life happened. Well that took a toll on my GPA cumulative 2.772.

This is something I really want to get past. I’m not sure if I would be better off going into a BSN program because of my low GPA, ADN first then get a job in nursing, re take some classes I did not do as well as I’d like in then go to grad program for CRNA.

I read the article on this site “should I be a CRNA” I was able to say yes to all the questions. I love science, don’t love constant interaction with people but I still like the feeling I get from helping people, I love to figure out the why when I see a problem.

I am a very investigative person. This profession kept coming up for me on the many job profile tests I’ve taken. I think I would truly love it. I have not done anything related to nursing at this point but I have always thought I may like it. What should my course of action be at this point to get to where I want to be?

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I’m worried that might prevent me from even being considered for admissions into graduate programs, especially CRNA school. Any thoughts, advice, feedback would be greatly appreciated. This website is a great resource and has really helped me narrow down where I would like to apply. Thank you!

Comments for Previous misdemeanors from 15 years ago

Mar 06, 2015
Not an issue NEW
by: Anonymous

I had all the same worries and a more developed criminal past. As long as you can get an RN license without stipulations you are golden. Best of luck!

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I am getting BS in Biochemistry, I have a 3.5 and I want to become a CRNA with this degree I won’t have the BSN that most CRNA programs require and given that I’m not an RN nor have an associates in nursing I have never practiced nursing. Is there a school that doesn’t have the one year experience requirement and that doesn’t require the BSN degree requirement. More specifically something that fits my current situation? Thanks for any advice or help?

Comments for Requirements?

Sep 13, 2014
No
by: Anonymous

Closest thing to a program with your experience to do anesthesia in medical school.

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I graduated from college with a degree in English in 2003 and live in CA. What is the best way for me to transition from a career in finance over to a career as a CRNA? Do I need to start from scratch?

Thank you,
Katie

Comments for Undergraduate Degree in Unrelated Field

Mar 12, 2014
SRNA NEW
by: Jay

I was recently surprised with this program exists.
Have you heard about Entry level MSN?
I believe this as with other unrelated master degrees, you can become a RN with Master degree (2yr).
As CRNA schoos are requiring ICU experience, you will then get your feet wet with starting at acute bed-side nursing then move to ICU until you are qualified for applying CRNA school.
That being said, I believe 1-2 year prereq, 2y in program, 1 y med-surg, 1-2 y ICU to become eligible. If you can go straight to ICU, that would be your luck.
I don’t know how the program is like but I heard
U of Minnesota and Metro State Univ in MN have the program and I feel this is a new trend

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How many people on this site actually want to be a Nurse Anesthetist because they are actually interested in anesthesia? Because i get the feeling most people only want to become a CRNA because of the salary.

And at least if you want to find out about how to be a crna you should at least spell “anesthetist” right. i feel like more and more people these days want to be crna’s for all the wrong reasons and ever since that stupid article was published on yahoo about how much crna’s make… you people forget that you have to actually be a nurse and being a nurse is damn hard and a lot of work.

Comments for Want to become a CRNA for the wrong reasons?

May 13, 2014
Lol
by: Anonymous

Love the butt doctor analogy! I sure hope when my husband graduates he starts making money…he was making over $100k as a Cath lab nurse, he loved his job…he is most definitely in anesthesia for the cash. Anyone who says otherwise is not being honest with themselves.

Nov 17, 2013
RealRN
by: Anonymous

Stop! Just stop being a miserable person. Go find yourself a good book to read. You sound like a 2 y.o. Stop

Feb 28, 2012
CRNA PROGRAM
by: Anonymous

hi JOY,
i find your site one oof the best of that kind….THANKS FOR THE SITE.You are doing a good research.Well, my question is do yu have to finish CRNA school by 2015, to avoid doctorate program in CRNA?or is it that you can escape if you have already started the program by then?Thanks,Carol.

Jan 19, 2012
My Response
by: Joy-All-CRNA-Schools.com

I’d like to take a moment to respond to “this site is about the site administrator making money”.

My primary purpose in this site is to provide the CRNA applicant with helpful tools to be able to make an informed decision about which schools to apply to. In exchange for the time I spend maintaining the site and providing real value to visitors, I am compensated. The vast majority of highly trafficked sites on the internet return the site owner a profit. There is nothing wrong with that. People are compensated to the extent that they provide real value to others. It’s called commerce.

“Not factual about CRNA education and school reviews or income.”

All of the content from this site has been pulled from other sites: AANA, CRNA school sites, etc. I research everything that I put on this site. The school reviews are absolutely not factual. They are student’s opinions of the schools and bear no reflection of my personal views or opinions. The income data I site is backed by extensive studies. These studies are sited on the salary by state page. In case you’re wondering why I added this page, it’s because the search term “nurse anesthetist salary” has a lot of demand. The purpose of every page I add to this site is to meet the needs of my visitors.

“Tons of typos and misinformation. It’s a ‘Doctorate in Nursing’ not a “Doctor of Nursing”.

As for the typos, I apologize for them, as they are annoying, but have you honestly ever been to a site that had no typos? Every school page I drew information from had numerous typos, many of which I corrected before putting on to my site. I do try to avoid typos, but my site is not perfect. Did you notice that you spelled nursing like this: “nurseing”? I’m sure that you know how to spell the name of your own profession. It was an honest mistake. I don’t assume that you are less intelligent because you made an honest mistake.

The misinformation? I try to keep all the pages on my site as up-to-date as possible, but understand that each program changes small details in their requirements and curriculum multiple times per year, and I’m monitoring 111 schools. Because I value my visitors and want them to have the most accurate information, I have hired someone to keep my pages updated for me.

I titled my page “Doctor of Nursing”, rather than “Doctorate of Nursing” because there are lots of people typing that phrase into google, and very few sites that offer information about a “Doctor of Nursing” degree. Yes, some of the pages of my site have awkward titles, but the value is that those who are searching for those terms (and it’s a LOT of people) are able to find the information they’re looking for.

Jan 19, 2012
My Response, continued
by: Joy-All-CRNA-Schools.com

“If you want real information you need to go the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists website.”

I believe you meant to say “you need to go to the” (another typo)… Yes, by all means, go to the source for your information rather than to my site (which is 3rd hand info). My site is meant to save the casual browser time by synthesizing a plethora of information in one place that’s easy to find. I encourage people to go directly to the source for their info. Yes, the AANA is listed on several pages. I may make a “resources page” that lists them there. That may be what you were looking for.

“Yes, while CRNAs do make more money than RN’s, it’s not the cash cow you make it out to be.”

I didn’t realize I was making the CRNA profession out to be a cash cow. I see it as a worthwhile profession that is compensated well in exchange for the risk and responsibility that CRNAs take on. I’m sorry if my image of a CRNA holding money offends you. I’ll consider taking it down. I also realize that everything I do will offend someone. The image also gives people a visual of what the page is about. Many find the image helpful. If I find a better one, I’ll replace it.

Also, have you read my “Should I Be a CRNA” page: https://www.all-crna-schools.com/be-a-crna.html? If not, I encourage you to read it, as you’ll find that I actually try to talk people out of getting into the profession if they’re in it just for the money.

Dec 20, 2011
definition of “Salary”
by: Anonymous

Please remember that salary posted on most company brochures and recruiting websites are inclusive of benefits offered to an employee, especially those trying to recruit CRNAs.

The gross salary listed, while not formally noted, often includes the cost of a health insurance plan, retirement contributions, paid vacations, conference funds, etc. that the company provides you. Your actual cash salary is less. So a supposed $183,000, is most likely 120,000 in pay.

And then you have to realize that you have just moved into a 35% tax bracket and you will be taxed VERY heavily. Federal taxes are often 30,000 or more per year. You also have Medicare and Social Security Taxes to pay, as well as state taxes.

Nurses who work ICU night shift, often have close to the same take home pay that I do.

You need to go into this for the love of anesthesia, not for the money because it is not what you are led to think it is.

Anesthesiologists take the bulk of your reimbursement in a group of MDs/CRNAs. You typically get about 20% of what is billed using your billing ID number. (and as a salary) They take the rest.

Dec 20, 2011
this site is about the site administrator making money
by: Anonymous

This site is all about the site administrator making money, not factual about CRNA education and school reviews or income. Tons of typos and misinformation. It’s a “Doctorate in Nursing” not a “Doctor of Nursing”

If you want real information you need to go the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists website. Are they even listed here? I can’t find them. Also go to your State’s Nurse Anesthesia Assocation and also your State Board of Nurseing. You will find pertinent school information, links to those schools, the latest legislations and lobbying efforts on behalf of CRNAs.

Yes, while CRNAs do make more money than RN’s, it’s not the cash cow you make it out to be. Take home salary is in the low six figures or high five figures in many states. The picture of the nurse holding a lot of money is tacky and degrades the nature of our profession. CRNAs for a long time made very little money, and only started earning a respectable salary (especially for the risk and responsibility) after they fought hard for the right to be reimbursed for services like their MD counterparts.

Feb 03, 2011
Re: want to be crna for the wrong reasons?
by: RealRN

No I did not think about becoming a CRNA until I was actually in nursing school when I was exposed to career advancement in the field that I have a genuine interest in. I am just saying that nursing is a people’s profession, meaning that you are taking care of people in their most vulnerable states. Throughout nursing school and even now, I see students and nurses who have horrible bedside manner and are disinterested in caring for their patients because god forbid they actually have to touch them.

And you are right, some people in medicine go into other specialties because there is a demand and they are paid nicely.
I bring up that yahoo article, well actually cnn… http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/11/news/economy/health_care_doctor_incomes/index.htm

the whole point is that being a CRNA is now the “sexy” profession and its attracting a lot of ugly people who are not genuinely interested in anesthesia or patient care but more interested in making 150K a year.

Feb 03, 2011
I disagree
by: All-CRNA-Schools-Joy

RealRN, let me ask you a question….

When you were 7 or 8 years old, did you dream of putting people to sleep for a living?

When you were playing “make believe” with your friends, did you tell them to “play dead” so you could administer anesthesia on them?

… or did you pretend to live in a fancy house, drive a fancy car and buy lots of things?

There are many professions out there, and people choose them for different reasons. For example: Pediatricians are probably pediatricians because they like science, and they like children. Most of them are not “in it for the money.” How do I know this? They don’t make much! They go through 8 years of schooling, then 3 years of residency, all for roughly $150k a year!

On the other hand, there’s the butt doctor (excuse my language… the proctologist). Do you think they grew up thinking “oh boy! I’d love to examine butts for the rest of my life!”

Most likely, they decided at some point in time that they wanted to make a lot of money. They like the things that money can buy, and they knew they were intelligent, had a strong interest in science, and there was a need for butt doctors at the time they picked their specialty.

So it is with the nurse anesthetist. As a Junior in high school, the student does a little research, finds out that:

1.They want to make a large income.
2.They are good at science
3.They want to pick a career that is in demand, so they’ll never have to be out of work.
4.They don’t want to spend 1/2 their life in school (scratch “medical school” off the list).

“Wow,” they think to themselves, “looks like becoming a nurse anesthetist is a great option! I think I’ll do some more searching and see what else I can find!”

Enter, ignorant student on all-crna-schools.com, looking for answers.

Maybe 2/3rds of these seekers will decide that it’s too much work for them, but that’s their choice! It doesn’t hurt for them to do a little more digging.

Yes, nursing is a challenging profession, but so is anything that earns money! Most people recognize that with a higher income comes greater responsibility. People who are genuinely interested in earning a high salary are usually willing to jump through the necessary hoops to get there.

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You mentioned something that the CRNA market would be flooded (sorry I can’t remember exactly). I’m applying for nursing programs right now and frequently talk to new students on my own campus that are planning on becoming nurse anesthetists.

The number of students that I talk to kind of discourages me since it seems that there is a lot of them and I feel that by the time I am a CRNA the market will be flooded and there wont be many positions available. Is this true?

Will there be any positions available say 7 years from now? Would it still be wise to continue with what I want to do or should I seek a new career. My thought is to stay but I need an opinion from someone who really knows their stuff. Thank you for any replies.

Comments for Is the market for CRNAs flooded?

Jan 17, 2011
Just Do it!!
by: Hokie123

I understand your concern. Nurse Anesthesia is a growing field and can be very intimidating (a little less intimidating with Joy’s help). Since you are at the beginning of your career as a nursing student, you have an immense advantage. Right now you have the power to be as competitve an applicant as you want! You do not need to go back and take any other classes that you did not do well in. You have the opportunity to make choices.

Go to an affordable nursing school so that you won’t be put in debt and price will not restrict you when you go to apply to graduate school. Plan your classes accordingly. Go above and beyond. Try to take organic chemistry if you can stomach it. It will not only prepare you for graduate school, but it will also make you a more competitve applicant. No one said it is going to be easy. Don’t let the hard classes discourage you. It’s a long road but I believe the career and job satisfaction will be well worth your time and effort.

Try to shadow a CRNA in different settings. I believe this is a key factor in deciding if this career is for you.

I hope this helps!
Jan 17, 2011
The market for CRNAs is not flooded
by: All-CRNA-Schools-Joy

I’m not sure that I mentioned the market being flooded. You may have heard that somewhere else.

You’ve met many others who want to become a CRNA? It may seem like a lot of people, but keep in mind that people who have dreams and goals don’t always end up reaching them. It’s a little sad, but it’s the truth.

Also, it may help to see the bigger picture of the health care industry. There are several factors that come together and make nurse anesthesia a great career choice for the next 20 years or so.

The baby boomers are between the ages of 46 and 64 this year (2010). Keep in mind that this generation has completely dominated the economy since their birth in 1946 (9 months after WWII ended).

Their impact on health care will be no less dramatic than it was on the toy industry, the music industry, and the housing market.

The baby boomers are just now beginning to heavily impact health care (have you heard of the nursing shortage?), and their presence in hospitals will only continue to increase.

Another factor to consider is that CRNAs, like people in any other profession,continue to retire. So for every one person retiring, there needs to be at least one person (more like three or four because of the baby boomers) to replace them.

Also note that more and more hospitals are hiring nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) rather than anesthesiologists (MDs) because they are so much more cost effective!

There are currently not enough nurse anesthetist schools to keep up with the high demand for CRNAs. Several new schools are popping up each year in order to keep up with the high demand.

Most nurse anesthesia schools have a100% hire rate within 6 months of graduation. That’s not because all of the schools are so great, it’s because hospitals are so desperate for CRNAs.

If this isn’t true in your state, it’s most likely that there are several CRNA schools clustered together and the hospitals in that immediate area are flooded with new CRNA grads. Nationwide, however, there is definitely a shortage.

Last point is that the CRNA will soon need a doctorate degree in nursing(read this article if you have any questions about the DNP). Every time the requirement for something increase, there are fewer people who are willing to jump through the extra hoop, therefore your competition goes down.

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Hi
I got accepted in CRNA starting 4/2015. The school is about 2.5 hours away. Briefly about me. This is my second marriage. I have two girls from my first husband, 12 and 17 years old. My biggest fear is not being with my children for the crucial years of their life.

I was given the option by CRNA school to re-instate my application for 4/2016; what are my chances of getting in next year. Should I go ahead and accept this year and risk of not being there for my 6th grader and 11th grader?

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Ok, I am just getting started in the nursing field. I do not know everything nor will I claim to. I am 34 and have been looking into the CRNA degree for a while. I am still working on my associate degree so I have a long way to go. As it sits, I will be 47 when I am finished. I do not feel an extra year is going to hurt me educationally.

However, would having a Doctorate Degree as opposed to a Master’s make the CRNA more valuable and educated? I have no issue with the change but I do not understand what the title has to do with the duties that the CRNA undertakes.I would need more information on this change to really make an informed opinion. How much more knowledge will a Doctorate degree give me over a Master’s degree and would it improve my job performance?

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I have been offered an interview for their 2012 program. I am wondering about the interview, of course. I have heard it is a panel interview with no clinical questions. Is this correct? Thanks!!

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