[CJL]

I need some advice from fellow nursing colleages. I am a critical care nurse entering my fifth year of practice. At this time I plan to attend graduate school for the 2001-02 calender year. Here is the problem: I'm not 100% sure on my career choice- ANP or CRNA. I enjoy autonomy and critical thinking and as a result I would like to continue working with the critically ill. Considering my choices, the possibilities are endless. Based on their experience, does anybody have some insight into this issue. I feel that I would enjoy either choice as a profession,unfortunately, I can't do both! Thanks

[WntrMute2]

Originally posted by CJL:
I need some advice from fellow nursing colleages. I am a critical care nurse entering my fifth year of practice. At this time I plan to attend graduate school for the 2001-02 calender year. Here is the problem: I'm not 100% sure on my career choice- ANP or CRNA. I enjoy autonomy and critical thinking and as a result I would like to continue working with the critically ill. Considering my choices, the possibilities are endless. Based on their experience, does anybody have some insight into this issue. I feel that I would enjoy either choice as a profession,unfortunately, I can't do both! Thanks

I am also heading off to graduate school after about 5 years in the ICU. I choose the CRNA path for a couple of reasons. Mainly I wanted to be at the top of my profession. With all the thousands of ARNPS being churned out I wanted something that remained somewhat elite. Also there is a huge demand for CRNAs, some places are paying over $100,000/year for new grads, while my decision to return to school is not motivated by money, the employability factor is a consideration. The ARNPs I know that are recently out of school are searching for positions at places such as clinics and Drs' offices. Not my cup of joe. The jobs that I would fingd desireable such as practicing in an ICU with autonomy are few and far between. Additionally, I like to be challenged, I see a lot of mediocre ARNPs being spit out after what seems to be preety minimal training. I have always been impressed with the caliber of CRNAs so I quess I would rather be included in their ranks. And then there is the money, My hospital pays 80.00/hr for per diem work and salaries are going up as we speak.

BTW where are you considering going? It is getting late to apply to anesthesia schools if you want to start this fall. Georgetown keeps the appl. process open untill February and beaumont in Detroit until April.

Luck.