Obstetrics and trauma were the anesthesia subspecialties that interested student nurse anesthetists most in a recent survey from U.S. Anesthesia Partners, a physician-owned anesthesia practice.
The organization surveyed 121 student registered nurse anesthetists (SRNAs) at its fourth annual Future Leaders in Anesthesia conference. The students were selected as future leaders by their program faculty and attended as guests of the company, so the results are not representative of all student nurse anesthetists, according to an Oct. 22 news release from U.S. Anesthesia Partners.
Note: Respondents chose one answer per question, and some charts’ percentages do not add to 100 because of rounding.
Here are seven things to know from the survey:
- 28%: Obstetrics was the anesthesia subspecialty that interested respondents most, followed by trauma at 25%. U.S. Anesthesia Partners said the two specialties are also the ones hospitals report the most trouble staffing.
- 38%: Work-life balance was the top priority for SRNAs when evaluating a first job. Mentorship and onboarding support followed at 19%, clinical autonomy and case variety and complexity each drew 13%, and location and compensation each drew 9%.
- 31%: Respondents hoped most to be practicing with a high degree of clinical autonomy five years after graduation, the top answer. Educating or mentoring future nurse anesthetists followed at 25%. Practicing on a hospital-based anesthesia team and serving in a clinical leadership role each drew 16%.
- 6%: The share of respondents who hope to be practicing in an ASC five years after graduation, the same share who chose a rural or underserved community. None picked doctoral or advanced development.
- 59%: Building clinical confidence was respondents’ biggest anticipated challenge in their first year of practice. Managing increasingly complex cases was next at 13%, followed by achieving work-life balance and managing student debt or financial concerns at 9% each.
- 53%: Mentorship from experienced certified registered nurse anesthetists was the support respondents said will matter most as they begin practicing. Structured onboarding and clinical development drew 19%, and continuing education and specialty training and work-life balance and wellness resources each drew 9%.
- 3%: Compensation potential was the least common answer when respondents were asked what most inspired them to pursue a career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Making a greater impact on patient care and career advancement opportunities each drew 25%, followed by interest in anesthesia and pharmacology at 22%.
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