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As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), you have the skills and expertise to provide anesthesia and pain management to patients. What if you could use those skills while traveling? That’s where travel CRNAs come in. In this article, we’ll explore what it means to be a travel CRNA, the benefits and challenges of this career path, and how to become a travel CRNA.
What is a Travel CRNA?
A travel CRNA is a nurse anesthetist who works on short-term assignments in different healthcare facilities, often in different parts of the country. These assignments can range from a few weeks to several months. Travel CRNAs typically work through staffing agencies that specialize in placing healthcare professionals on temporary assignments.
Travel CRNAs provide anesthesia and pain management services in a variety of settings, including hospitals, surgery centers, and outpatient clinics. They must be able to quickly adapt to new environments, procedures, and teams, as they work with different staff and patients on each assignment.
The Benefits of Being a Travel CRNA
There are many benefits to being a travel CRNA, including:
| Benefits | Description |
|---|---|
| Higher pay | Travel CRNAs can earn significantly more than their stationary counterparts, as they often receive compensation for travel, housing, and meals in addition to their regular pay. |
| Flexibility | Travel CRNAs have the freedom to choose where and when they want to work, allowing for more control over their career and personal life. |
| Professional development | Travel CRNAs have the opportunity to work in a variety of settings and gain experience with different procedures and patient populations, which can improve their skills and make them more marketable in the long run. |
| Adventure | Travel CRNAs get to explore new parts of the country and experience different cultures, adding excitement and diversity to their work and personal lives. |
Challenges of Being a Travel CRNA
While being a travel CRNA can be exciting and rewarding, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are a few to keep in mind:
- Constantly adapting to new environments and teams can be stressful and exhausting.
- Traveling frequently can be difficult for those with family or other responsibilities.
- Some assignments may be in areas with limited access to resources, which can be challenging for CRNAs used to working in well-equipped facilities.
- Working with different electronic medical record systems and protocols can also be time-consuming and frustrating.
How to Become a Travel CRNA
To become a travel CRNA, you need to first become a certified nurse anesthetist. That means completing a master’s degree program in nurse anesthesia, passing a national certification exam, and obtaining a state license.
Once you have your certification and licensure, you can start looking for travel CRNA jobs through staffing agencies that specialize in healthcare placements. It’s important to do your research and choose a reputable agency that has experience placing CRNAs in travel assignments.
You’ll also need to be prepared to travel frequently and be able to quickly adapt to new environments and procedures. Having strong communication and organizational skills can also be helpful in this career path.
FAQ
What does a travel CRNA do?
A travel CRNA provides anesthesia and pain management services on short-term assignments in different healthcare facilities. They work through staffing agencies and can earn higher pay and gain professional development opportunities.
How much does a travel CRNA make?
The pay for travel CRNAs can vary depending on the assignment, location, and staffing agency. However, they can earn significantly more than stationary CRNAs due to additional compensation for travel, housing, and meals.
What are the benefits of being a travel CRNA?
The benefits of being a travel CRNA include higher pay, flexibility, professional development opportunities, and adventure. They also have the freedom to choose where and when they want to work.
What are the challenges of being a travel CRNA?
The challenges of being a travel CRNA include constantly adapting to new environments and teams, traveling frequently, working in areas with limited resources, and dealing with different electronic medical record systems and protocols.
Conclusion
Becoming a travel CRNA can be a rewarding career path for those who enjoy adventure, flexibility, and professional development opportunities. However, it’s important to also consider the challenges that come with this lifestyle. If you’re interested in becoming a travel CRNA, start by completing your education and licensure, and then research reputable staffing agencies to find your first assignment.