3 Things to do Before Accepting a Job as a RN or CRNA

You didn’t come this far to settle.

After everything you’ve been through—nursing school, clinicals, exams, night shifts, and missed holidays—you’ve earned more than just a job.

You’ve earned a career that gives you the freedom to live the life you’ve always dreamed of.

Whether you're a brand-new nurse, a soon-to-be CRNA, or somewhere in between, I want to share something that completely changed the way I approach my career—and life in general:

Intentional decisions lead to freedom.

I’m a CRNA now, but I started out fresh out of nursing school, taking my first job in the ICU because I was drawn to critical care. People told me to “start in med-surg first,” but I knew deep down that I wanted more.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve built a career that gives me autonomy, flexibility, and time with my family. That didn’t happen by chance. It happened because I got intentional—about my goals, my lifestyle, and how I wanted to feel five years from now.

So before you accept a job—before you even apply—do these three things. They’ll help you choose a path that aligns with who you are, where you’re headed, and the life you want to build as an RN or CRNA.

1. Visualize Your Life 5 Years From Now

This isn’t optional—it’s essential if you want a career that supports the life you’ve always dreamed of living.

Take a moment and really picture it. Ask yourself:

• Where do I want to live?

• What kind of schedule do I want?

• Do I want to be traveling, working PRN, or taking summers off with my kids?

• Do I want to be debt-free, investing, building a business, or spending more time at home?

• How do I want to feel when I wake up in five years?

When I finished CRNA school, I didn’t want to dive right into another season of burnout. I knew I wanted to become a mom, and I wanted a career that supported that life. So I found a job that gave me the autonomy and schedule to do both.

You can do the same. But first, you need to get clear on where you’re going—so you can say yes to the job that actually gets you there.

I had a classmate who wanted to be debt free quick, so she took one of the highest paying jobs she could find.

You have to look foward to what works for future you, not just what feels comfortable now.

2. Decide What Matters Most in Your RN or CRNA Job

Every job offers a mix of things: money, flexibility, experience, benefits, lifestyle. But not every job gives you your top priorities.

So here’s what I tell every nurse and CRNA I mentor:

Get clear on what supports the life you’re intentionally designing.

Ask yourself:

• Location: Do I want to stay close to home or explore a new area?

• Pay: Am I focused on paying off loans, investing, or saving right now?

• Autonomy (for CRNAs): Do I want to manage my own cases or be part of a care team? OB? Regional? Cardiac? Peds?

• Patient population (for RNs): What kind of patients or units truly light me up?

• Schedule: Do I want weekends off? No call? Room to be present for my family?

Once you know your top 2–3 priorities, rank them.
Not based on what sounds good—based on what aligns with your vision.

When I first started as a nurse, I craved intensity and experience—so ICU made perfect sense. But now, as a CRNA and a mom, my priorities have shifted. I choose roles that support my family, my peace, and my freedom.

That classmate that took the really high paying job? It’s in the middle of Nowhereville, USA but her plan was to stay 1-2 years and pay off all her debt. She did that and more!

Let your priorities guide your path. You don’t need to justify them to anyone.

3. Make Intentional Trade-Offs

Let’s be real: no job will check every single box.
But when you’re intentional, the trade-offs won’t feel like sacrifices—they’ll feel like strategy.

• Maybe you say yes to call shifts now so you can work fewer days later.

• Maybe you take a higher-paying job that helps you save fast but then step back in a few years.

• Maybe you trade location for a better schedule or more autonomy.

When I took my first CRNA job, it wasn’t the highest paying. But it was in the location close to family and gave me the space to become a mom and the flexibility and autonomy to grow in confidence as a new CRNA. That’s what I needed—and that made it the right job for me.

And here’s the part most nurses don’t hear enough:
You can negotiate. You should negotiate.

Whether it’s your rate, schedule, time off, or autonomy—you don’t have to accept the first offer as-is.

Ask yourself:

• Can I negotiate the sign on bonus for loan repayment or higher hourly rate?

• Is there room to increase the hourly rate if I’m taking on more responsibility and have more autonomy?

• Can I request a specific schedule upfront? (and get it in writing!)

You bring incredible value—and you get to advocate for what you need to thrive, not just survive.

Your job should support your lifestyle, your goals, and your peace.
And the more intentional you are going in, the more empowered you’ll be in the process.

You’re not just applying for a job—you’re intentionally designing your future career and your future.

So before you accept anything, pause and ask:

“Is this job moving me closer to the life I want—or pulling me further away?”

Choose With Vision, Not Pressure

You didn’t survive nursing school or CRNA school just to feel stuck or exhausted.

You did it because you wanted more:

More time.
More choices.
More freedom to live life on your own terms.

So take your time. Ask the hard questions. Say no to the job that doesn’t fit.

You’ve already done the hard part.
Now it’s your time to build the life you used to daydream about during those long shifts.

You’re not just looking for a job.
You’re building the life you’ve always wanted—one intentional decision at a time.