which CRNA's were NP's before?

RedCell · May 6, 2009

just wondering if any crna's out there was or is a nurse practicioner?
What type of NP were you before you switched careers? and did it help with your CRNA education and work?
thanks.

I went to FNP school prior to becoming a CRNA. I was actually just 3 classes short of graduation when I got into my anesthesia program. The FNP classes definetly made my life easier while enrolled in nurse anesthesia school. My class load was less as 5 of the courses I had already taken counted towards my anesthesia curriculum. Also, my research was completed and this DEFINITELY saved me time for more studying compared to my classmates who were scrambling to find hours to complete theirs. As far as my daily work environment now, I do not think it helps out all that much. The FNP is focused on primary care and while knowing the criteria for diagnosing impetigo is useful in a family practice clinic, it certainly does not mean much to me in the OR.

2bnurse_it · May 7, 2009

I went to FNP school prior to becoming a CRNA. I was actually just 3 classes short of graduation when I got into my anesthesia program. The FNP classes definetly made my life easier while enrolled in nurse anesthesia school. My class load was less as 5 of the courses I had already taken counted towards my anesthesia curriculum. Also, my research was completed and this DEFINITELY saved me time for more studying compared to my classmates who were scrambling to find hours to complete theirs. As far as my daily work environment now, I do not think it helps out all that much. The FNP is focused on primary care and while knowing the criteria for diagnosing impetigo is useful in a family practice clinic, it certainly does not mean much to me in the OR.

what area were you working in while you were in the FNP program? did you plan to do both degrees?

if not, what made you want to be a CRNA?

RedCell · May 9, 2009

When I was in FNP school I was working in both open heart recovery and in the emergency department. I didn't plan on doing both degrees, the anesthesia program was just something that came together at the right time for me.

While the FNP gig would have been okay, the nurse anesthesia route really motivated me. Being a CRNA gives me true autonomy, there are tons of toys and drugs to play with in order to manipulate physiology, and the regional and neuraxial blocks are always a blast to perform. I cannot really think of any job being more fun, other than that of a charter captain down in the Keys getting paid to slam sailfish everyday. As it turns out, I was not talented enough to make a living fishing all day.