Maybe you NP's can help with this (I wasn't too sure where else to post this): I'm currently a 25 year old male in a BSN program and my goal is to ultimatlety become a CRNA (or MDA, as I would go the medical route if I got accepted to med school). I basically have 2 advisors at my school: the nuring dept. director, Liz, (who is gracious in waiving pre-req requirements and so forth since I have a BS in bio) and another advisor named Mike. Now the director, Liz, says I can double up and start taking masters courses before I finish my BSN. That way, I could finish both degrees in 3-4 years. The master programs, however, only include an ANP and CNS route, no CRNA. So I figure, why not get an NP? When I asked Mike his opinion though, he said, "pick one or the other" -- meaning I should either become an NP and do that, or forget about pursuing the NP, get my BSN, and take the steps necessary to go to CRNA school (of which I would only need the year of critical-care experience).
I don't agree with him. I think I should get the NP. Here's my reasoning:
1.) I figure if I can get a masters before ever hitting the floor, I would be better off. I work in a hospital. New nurses fresh out of school get treated poorly. The more credentials the better. Even if I'm not utilizing the NP degree and I'm working as an RN in an ICU unit to fulfill the requirments for CRNA school, I still "have that edge." Meaning, I'm still a nationally certified nurse practitioner. My guess is that I would be treated much more differently than say a new Associate degree RN.
2.) Options. I don't really need to explain this. I'm just saying that getting the MSN and NP would open more doors to me. In addition to the NP, the MSN program also prepares you for either management or teaching. That just reinforces my first point. I could probably step onto the floor and direct the other staff instead of visa versa.
3.) --this one's the main reason I posted this in this forum-- I did a job search on monster for NP positions in my area and I was in awe at what I found. Here's why: I was under the assumption that NP's worked in outpatient medical facilities. Namely, doctors offices or medical groups -- places most people go when they get a cold. However, I found positions for NP's in various ICU units. My hospital doesn't hire NP's and I don't think they have NP's come in to write orders for patients of theirs who happen to need hospitalization. So, I'm wondering what would the role of an NP be in an ICU unit? This would be perfect for me if I could get my ICU experience and do so while working as an NP instead of an RN.
4.) Nowadays a lot of people entering medical school do so after they complete a master's degree -- such as an MS in physiology, biochem, or medicinal chem. I would think an MSN/NP would be more geared towards med school than any other masters program -- period. Again, I'm not sure if I want to make that commitment, and only because of the length of time involved. But a pharmacist I work with is going to go to med school and he's more than 10 years older than me. So maybe I shouldn't worry about the time. Anyway, time will tell.
Any advice or info would be appreciated and interesting to hear. :)
