Choosing the right CRNA role is more than finding the next opportunity—it is about finding a practice environment where clinical purpose, team culture, flexibility, growth, and quality of life can come together. For many CRNAs, the decision to join a new organization comes with important questions: Will I feel supported? Will the schedule work for my life? Will I have opportunities to grow? Will the culture match what I need to thrive in the long term? This interview series was created to help answer those questions through the voices of CRNAs who are living that experience at Advocate Health. In their own words, they share what it is like to work as a CRNA, what has shaped their professional satisfaction, and how their roles support both meaningful patient care and life outside of work. For readers considering their next career move, these perspectives offer real-world insight into the people, culture, and opportunities that make Advocate Health a place to build a career—not just take a job.
Danielle King, CRNA – Advocate Health Employee for 7+ years
What factors have contributed most to your overall job satisfaction?
Making a difference for patients remains the foundation of my job satisfaction. An equally important and often unexpected source of satisfaction has been collaborating with my team to improve patient outcomes, train colleagues, and contribute to education initiatives. I continue to learn every day, and seeing both my own growth and the growth of those around me is incredibly rewarding.
How does your current role support work-life balance?
The flexibility of my schedule allows me to tailor my work arrangement to fit my family’s needs. Working a combination of 12-hour and 8-hour shifts gives me meaningful time at home while still allowing me to contribute fully at work. One of the strengths of this profession is that work-life balance can look different for everyone.
What would you tell a CRNA considering relocation to the Carolinas?
Charlotte and the surrounding Carolinas offer a unique combination of professional opportunity, affordability, outdoor activities, strong schools, and family-friendly communities. Whether you are early in your career, raising a family, or seeking a new lifestyle, there is something for everyone.
What career decision has had the greatest impact on your quality of life?
Becoming involved in CRNA education and professional development has been one of the most meaningful decisions of my career. Teaching, leading educational efforts, and helping colleagues grow has given me tremendous professional satisfaction.
What should CRNAs look for in an organization?
Culture and teamwork matter more than anything else. Clinical practice may be similar across many facilities, but supportive colleagues, strong collaboration, and a culture that values helping one another create a significantly better experience for providers and patients alike.
What is a misconception about work-life balance in anesthesia?
Many people believe they can completely separate work and home. In reality, caring deeply about patients and your profession becomes part of your identity. Healthy work-life balance is learning how to process those experiences while maintaining personal well-being.
Advice for new graduates?
Never stop asking questions and never be afraid to ask for help. Seeking guidance is a sign of professionalism, not weakness, and collaboration ultimately leads to better patient care.
One piece of advice for CRNAs seeking greater professional satisfaction?
Do the things that challenge you. Whether it is larger cases, leadership, teaching, or management, the best time to start is now. Growth often begins when you step outside of your comfort zone.
Alexis Ventura, CRNA – Advocate Health CRNA for 4+ years, and Advocate Health ICU RN for 2+ years
Can you briefly describe your CRNA career journey and what led you to Advocate Health?
A Florida native, Alexis pursued nurse anesthesia after discovering the profession early in nursing school. After graduating with honors from Rosalind Franklin University and beginning her career at Froedtert in Milwaukee, she sought a practice environment that offered stronger work-life balance and ultimately found that fit with Advocate Health.
What factors have contributed most to your overall job satisfaction?
Flexibility, professional autonomy, and exceptional colleagues have made the greatest impact. The collaborative care team model, supportive physicians, and highly skilled CRNA team create an environment where providers can thrive.
What mattered most beyond compensation?
Flexibility and the ability to be present for family were top priorities. While anesthesia is a significant part of her identity, she wanted a career that allowed her to remain fulfilled both professionally and personally.
How do schedule, culture, leadership, and community impact long-term fit?
A schedule that aligns with personal responsibilities, supportive teammates, and leaders who lead by example are critical factors in career longevity and satisfaction.
What does work-life balance mean to you?
Work-life balance means being present for her spouse and children while continuing to enjoy a meaningful and rewarding career.
How has your role helped you achieve balance?
A four-day workweek, no call responsibilities, and a highly supportive team make it possible to remain engaged at work while being present at home.
Advice for evaluating culture and well-being?
Ask about turnover, staffing, scheduling practices, leadership structure, flexibility, and how the organization supports employees through family needs and unexpected events.
What makes a role feel like a career instead of a job?
Long-term success depends on both meaningful clinical experiences and a team of colleagues you trust, respect, and can rely on.
Advice for relocating to the Midwest?
The Midwest offers a strong sense of community, a lower cost of living, family-friendly environments, and four distinct seasons that contribute to a high quality of life.
What career decision most impacted your quality of life?
Stepping into leadership and advocacy on behalf of fellow CRNAs has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.
Advice for new graduates?
Look beyond compensation. Speak with current team members, assess turnover, and understand the culture before making a decision.
One piece of advice for CRNAs seeking greater professional satisfaction? Do not be afraid to be uncomfortable. Pursue opportunities that stretch your skills and confidence, and continue growing as a provider.
Sarah Kotek, CRNA – Advocate Health CRNA for 4 years
Can you briefly describe your CRNA career journey and what led you to Advocate Health?
“I’ve practiced as a CRNA for more than 22 years, most of them in employed roles. I first came to Advocate Illinois Masonic on a locum assignment, and within about six months I knew I had found a place where I could stay long-term. The people, leadership, culture, and opportunity for growth led me to transition into a permanent role.”
What factors have contributed most to your overall job satisfaction?
Appreciation, autonomy, trust, respect, and flexibility in schedule have had the greatest impact on my job satisfaction. I value knowing that my patient care is genuinely appreciated and that I can practice with confidence alongside attending anesthesiologists and staff who support one another. At this stage in my career, job satisfaction is also closely tied to lifestyle, flexibility, and being respected as both a clinician and a person with a meaningful life outside of work.
How has your current role supported work-life balance?
My current role offers a level of flexibility that has been especially meaningful. Because of the department’s structure and coverage model, I don’t take call or work weekends or holidays. That’s a significant benefit, and one that can be hard to find in anesthesia. The schedule lets me maintain a fulfilling CRNA career while protecting the quality of life I value outside of work.
What would you tell a CRNA considering relocation to the Midwest?
I’d encourage CRNAs to look beyond compensation alone. CRNA pay is strong across the market, so if an offer seems unusually high, it’s worth asking why. For anyone considering Advocate Health in the Midwest, I’d look closely at culture, appreciation, schedule flexibility, autonomy, fair compensation, and benefits. In my view, Advocate Health is well positioned in all those areas.
What career decision has had the greatest impact on your quality of life?
Rather than one single decision, I’d point to the flexibility my CRNA career has given me through different chapters of life. Over 22 years, anesthesia has let me adapt my practice setting and schedule as my personal life changed, from early career to raising children to becoming an empty nester. Being able to move between higher-acuity roles, call-heavy positions, and jobs with less call or more predictable hours has helped me protect my quality of life at every stage.
What should CRNAs look for in an organization?
Sarah recommends that CRNAs pay close attention to culture. Before accepting a position, candidates should understand how the department and physician leadership view CRNAs, what level of autonomy CRNAs have, and how hospital leadership values CRNA practice. She also advises candidates to speak directly with current CRNAs—not only leaders or interviewers—to get a more complete picture of the work environment.
Advice for new graduates?
I’d encourage new graduates to start by defining what they want from their first role. Some want a lifestyle position, while others want a high-acuity environment or heavy clinical exposure early in their careers. Whatever you choose, don’t make compensation the only deciding factor. The highest-paying role may not offer the culture, respect, autonomy, schedule, or work-life balance that supports long-term success. Ask thoughtful questions, talk to the right people, and do your due diligence before making a decision.
What is an important question candidates should ask during the interview process?
Sarah believes candidates should ask about support—not only for the CRNA role, but also for the leaders supporting the CRNA team. Questions such as “What does service-line support look like?” and “How supported do you feel as a lead or chief CRNA?” can reveal how well the organization supports its anesthesia teams. In her experience, successful recruitment and retention require collaboration across recruitment, service-line leadership, department leadership, and the broader team.
One piece of advice for CRNAs seeking greater professional satisfaction?
Sarah’s advice is to seek a role that offers balance across the areas that matter most: culture, respect, autonomy, flexibility, support, and fair compensation. Professional satisfaction is not only about the work itself; it is also about whether the environment allows CRNAs to feel valued, supported, and able to build a sustainable career.
Ready to explore CRNA opportunities?
If these perspectives resonate with what you are looking for in your next CRNA role, we invite you to explore current opportunities with Advocate Health. Job seekers can view Advocate Health openings on the APEX CRNA Job Board and learn more about CRNA career opportunities through the Advocate Health CRNA career site. Whether you are seeking greater flexibility, a supportive team environment, professional growth, or a place where your work can make a meaningful impact, these resources are a great starting point for learning where your CRNA career could go next.
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