How to Avoid the First Job Curse

As a resident entering your final year of training, logic may lead you to believe that the high demand and limited supply of CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists will make it easier for you to find your first job.

However, many final-year residents are overwhelmed by the sheer variety of choices on AANA’s career platform, MOTION. They are unaccustomed to negotiating for a job and underestimate the timeline involved from application through interviewing and licensing. As a result, the most desirable positions are often filled early, and new professionals often wind up in positions that aren’t the best fit. If you wait too long, confusion and panic can set in, and you may accept a job out of necessity rather than choice.

It’s estimated that more than half of new CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists leave their first job within five years, and more than half of that group had stayed only one or two years.

Avoiding Common First Job Mistakes

Getting ahead of the timeline will position you to land the best job possible and avoid common missteps, including:

• Not spending enough time on your job search.
• Lacking resources for due diligence on market conditions and trends.
• Succumbing to external pressure from family or colleagues.
• Failing to optimize and negotiate your contract and compensation package.
• Rushing to make a decision at the eleventh hour based on what’s easy or fast.

One common mistake that newly trained CRNAs/nurse anesthesiologists make is focusing their job search on a particular location to be near family and the community where they grew up, rather than prioritizing a practice setting and culture that aligns with their career and personal goals.

This narrow “location-only” approach could force you into a job you don’t truly enjoy. In a survey of healthcare workers, those who listed “location” as their top priority in their first job search were more likely to leave within five years than those who had chosen “quality” as their top priority.

Balancing Location with Career Priorities

Of course, if you remove the location filter from a job search, the number of possibilities can seem overwhelming.

Narrowing the choices requires having a clear understanding of the type of job and employment model you want.

Consider the following factors when choosing your first job:

• Urban vs. rural: Do you want to work in a big city with job opportunities for your significant other, or would you prefer a smaller city where your compensation may stretch further?
• Cost of living: Due to the more limited supply of healthcare providers in rural areas, small-town practices often provide higher earning potential and a lower cost of living.
• Career development opportunities: Does the job offer mentorship, professional growth, and continuing education?

Finding the Right Fit

Once you clarify what truly matters to you, it becomes easier to focus on the best-fit locations, practice settings, and organizations. Instead of rushing into a job that may not align with your career goals, take the time to evaluate your options carefully. A well-thought-out decision will help you avoid the first job curse and set you on the path to a fulfilling and sustainable career as a CRNA/nurse anesthesiologist.