Are you considering becoming a certified registered nurse anesthetist or CRNA? Many different advantages come with this career, making it well worth your time to seek out. Those in this position have more independence than other nurses.
Overall, there are eight main career advantages to being a CRNA. We covered everything you’ll need to know in this article, so let’s get started.
1. High Salary
The most important career advantage to many would be the high salary CRNAs have. In fact, CRNAs are the highest-paid nursing specialty today. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CRNAs earn a median pay of $123,780 annually. The highest-paid CRNAs made more than $200,500, while the lowest-paid still made about $79,800.
Plus, with a high salary comes stability. You can improve your lifestyle and won’t have to worry about making ends meet. CRNAs appreciate earning a high income while making positive changes in the world by helping others.
CRNAs have a high earning potential, allowing you to live a lavish lifestyle. This income appeals to many, making it the top career advantage of becoming a CRNA.
So, having a high salary is highly appealing to most people looking to become a CRNA. This advantage comes with tons of benefits of its own. You can even increase your earning potential with more training and certificates.
2. Your Job is in Demand
CRNAs are in very high demand in the medical world, so you’ll always be in demand. In today’s job market, many people are sure to appreciate the stability this job can provide.
While the demand for CRNAs is already high, experts expect it to increase by another 13% by 2030, creating 5,600 new positions in the field. That means you’ll always be in demand as a CRNA.
There aren’t enough trained professionals to fill the open positions, so you’ll also have your pick of where you want to work. You’ll have access to competitive salaries and more as a CRNA, allowing you to make more decisions with your career.
Overall, many practices are looking for experienced CRNAs. After completing your education, you’ll be surprised by all the career opportunities that open up for you.
3. You’ll Have a Flexible Schedule
Next, you’ll also have a flexible schedule as a CRNA. You might want to work nights or traditional working hours. Many practices are willing to create unique schedules for their CRNAs, allowing you to craft a schedule that works the best for you.
Plus, many places allow you to choose between full-time and part-time hours. If you have other responsibilities outside of work, you can always build your schedule around them.
4. You Have More Autonomy
Many CRNAs also say that they enjoy having more autonomy at their workplaces. CRNAs have a lot of experience and training, meaning they can independently make decisions for their patients— they don’t always require the input of others.
You’ll appreciate being able to make choices that keep your patients safe and healthy without having to go through other people. Plus, you won’t have to take orders from other medical professionals.
In short, many CRNAs enjoy having more autonomy at work. We’re confident that you will too.
5. There are Travel Opportunities
Next, CRNAs also have many travel opportunities available to them. There are plenty of practices that need staffing help who will reach out to CRNAs for temporary staff. You can spend your time traveling and helping patients as you explore.
Many CRNAs travel to different places across the country during the year. Plus, traveling CRNAs receive more money to cover travel costs and make the temporary positions more appealing.
Overall, if you enjoy traveling, you can also travel while working as a CRNA. You can visit places all over the country while working and receive compensation for your housing and commuting costs.
6. You Experience Rewarding Work
You can feel proud of the hard work you put into your education and training to become a CRNA. The workload will be demanding, but it’s always worth it. You’ll help patients with their health, often improving their lives, making many CRNAs feel fulfilled in their work.
You’ll spend time listening to patients’ needs and answering their questions. In doing so, you’ll become very respected in your field, giving you more confidence in your profession. Overall, the work that CRNAs do is an enriching experience.
7. Your Days Have Variety
Have you ever worked a job where every single day was the same? These kinds of jobs can become boring very quickly for most people. If you don’t want to work another job like that, then becoming a CRNA is the right professional move for you.
CRNAs have a ton of variety in their days, where no two will be exactly alike. Your patients will always be different people and require different things. Plus, they’ll have varying conditions, which can change how you provide care to them.
In short, your days will never be the same. Many CRNAs like the change, as too much of the same, can feel stagnating in a career.
8. You Can Choose Your Workplace
Lastly, CRNAs can choose the settings where they want to work. A hospital is one of the most common choices, but you can work in smaller clinics or dental practices. Some CRNAs even work in plastic surgery settings.
Choosing the environment where you work comes with plenty of benefits too. You can work somewhere that fits your preferred pace, whether you want a laid-back job or one that keeps you on your toes.
Overall, you’ll have nearly complete control over your career, allowing you to pick where you want to work.
You’ll Save Lives
CRNAs are an essential part of our healthcare team. If you want to help others, then it’s the perfect field to get into. You’ll experience rewarding work and have a lucrative salary to live off of.
To summarize, there are so many career advantages to becoming a CRNA! You’re sure to appreciate the significant changes that this career path can make in your life.
