SRNA to FNP

Nursing Students NP Students

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I am currently enrolled in anesthesia school and am halfway through my program. It has finally hit me that I don't want to do this for the rest of my career. The money would be great, but money isn't everything. After some long weeks of making a decision to switch tracks, I have decided to become a family nurse practitioner. My classmates think I'm insane for making the switch but I honestly know that I have to be happy with my career.

It is my understanding that the job market for FNPs is greater today than it is for ACNPs. Is this correct? The starting salary range for CRNAs where I am in school is around $135k. I understand for FNPs it is around $80k? Is this a good average starting point?

Today I turned off my anesthesia machine and tomorrow I start learning the ropes of the FNP. Thank goodness the majority of credit hours will transfer over with the exception of my anesthesia classes.

Specializes in ICU.

Never to late to do what you want. Extra education never hurt anyone, and I'm sure you will find it even lends itself useful as you pursue your NP. Personally, I am just finishing up my 1st year of BS-DNP in Acute Care. Several times I have wondered if I will be limiting my practice as an ACNP, in that I may not be able to work in an ER, urgent care, or primary care as many of the patients are peds and adolescent. My goal is to work in the hospital, however there is definitely no shortage where I am, and wonder if I will be able to find employment as an ACNP. I have decided to stick it out, and if I am unable to get the job I want after graduation, I will return to school for a FNP cert. Best of luck to you.

Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

I think it is great to have self awareness and know what you want out of life. Many people are in positions and doing things that do not really make them happy. It's always good to find your passion and nuture it in a way that allows you to express it the way you want! Good luck! :-)

I was debating that (CRNA or ACNP) when I decided I wanted to return to school. I weighed my options for both careers, and I chose to pursue ACNP. Most of the future CRNA's I spoke said it was primarily for the money, which is fine if that is your goal. I wouldn't mind the money either, but it wasn't a strong motivator for me. I never liked the OR setting either; that's why I am an ICU and never an OR one.

FNP2B1 I understand how you feel. I'm currently an SRNA and I'm also halfway through my program. I'm struggling with the same decision you made. The more I think about doing this the rest of my life the unhappier I get. I've spent so many years working to reach this point that I can't believe how miserable I am now that I'm actually doing it.

I'm also getting the "you're crazy" talks from anybody I mention it to. People keep telling me I've worked too hard to quit now when I only have a few months to go, but I'm so unhappy. Yesterday I really questioned what it was about the CRNA profession that I would really miss if I changed to NP and the only thing I could come up with is the money. Is the $$ really worth doing something that makes you feel so stressed all the time? I just don't think it is.

Before you other people out there judge FNP2B1 saying that he/she should have known about the stress levels before going into this, or tell him/her that they should finish the CRNA program first...just realize that you can't even begin to comprehend the stress we've talking about here unless you've been through it.

I've been looking into online NP programs for the last few days. When I find a good one I think I'm going to be right behind you FNP2B1.

Do exactly what makes you happy. Nobody else knows that but you. I quit taking advice from CRNAs, SRNAs and my friends.....and listened to what my heart was telling me.

I am happier now and have no regrets. I wish you the best in whatever decision you make. For what it is worth....there are other ways in nursing to make a CRNA income if that is what drives you. You just have to look around :)

Specializes in ICU, Trauma, Anesthesia, Education, etc..

Interesting thread. I graduated from my CRNA program in 2002 and just graduated my FNP program on May 15th. I never, ever hated anything as much as anesthesia. To PMFB-RN, stress has nothing to do with it - at all. I worked in SICU for 9 years prior to anesthesia school. I was "recruited" by the school (which is affiliated with the hospital) and convinced by everyone that it was the opportunity of a lifetime. Why they require ICU experience to get into school is beyond me. It is nothing like the ICU. It is the OR - cold, boring and lonely. Confined to a tiny space, stuck at the head of the bed for hours at a time. There were times I literally wanted to just run out of there screaming. :hdvwl:If you can handle sitting in the exact same place for several hours at a time, with intermittent bursts of sheer terror and chaos, then anesthesia is for you. It pays well for a reason. It's total blood money. :devil:

To SRNA to FNP, I would suggest that you stick it out and not quit. Nearly all of my credits were accepted by my FNP program. I only needed a couple of nursing classes b/c I already had patho, pharm, research, etc. Trust me, the year will fly by and you will already be an APRN when you enter an FNP program. It will be much better for you that way. Good Luck!

I have a ?? how did you manage your loan repayments. did that work out for you somehow. I am in the clinical phase of school and am on the verge of quitting. I'm a single mum and felt I was losing ground with the children. 16+ hour days were still not enuff for the facility I was at. Not sure how the student loans will overwhelm me. Do you have any advice?

When you leave school you can defer your loans for a year. I finished with my FNP and didn't make any payments for 12 months. At the end of 12 months you can apply to repay your loans via the "income based repayment plan" Obama passed a law where depending on your income you won't pay more than 10% of your net disposable income. I walked out with $60,000 in debt and pay a little over $400 a month. You can probably pay more or less as I chose a 25 year extended payment plan.

On another note....I'm 3 years out since I wrote the original posting. I work as a FNP and enjoy it. I gross on average $135,000 a year in a low stress FNP job. I do work as an independent contractor. It was the right choice for me. I hope you make the right decision for you.

It's incredible this thread live on for 3 years. Intermittent bursts of sheer terror and chaos. LMAO that was too funny. Glad it all worked out for you. I am curious how you make 135k as an NP though ?

I work in geriatrics doing home visits for Medicare patients. They are the type of patients that belong in an ICU for the most part but come home for whatever reason so I take care of them. I see 10 to 12 patients a day. Billing at a level 5 home visit pays me $60 after I do the split with my medical director. A visit to a board and care pays $45 and a SNF $30. Doing a wound care procedure can pay $100 in addition to the visit and cryotherapy pays $30 to $60 for each patient depending on the number of lesions the patient has on top of the home visit. An average day will bill out around $550.

When you leave school you can defer your loans for a year. I finished with my FNP and didn't make any payments for 12 months. At the end of 12 months you can apply to repay your loans via the "income based repayment plan" Obama passed a law where depending on your income you won't pay more than 10% of your net disposable income. I walked out with $60,000 in debt and pay a little over $400 a month. You can probably pay more or less as I chose a 25 year extended payment plan.

On another note....I'm 3 years out since I wrote the original posting. I work as a FNP and enjoy it. I gross on average $135,000 a year in a low stress FNP job. I do work as an independent contractor. It was the right choice for me. I hope you make the right decision for you.

I would love to know what whatv state you are in. Im in the debate between fnp/whp and crna. Its nice yo know you are being compesated that well.

Specializes in ICU.

Are you still at the same company? I failed out of crna in 2010. I hated it 4 semesters. $30,000 but was best thing. I went back got my Fnp now work in Er for about $110,000. I love it. I love laughing with my not sick patients, taking care of the sick ones, I don't mind the toothaches. This is where I belong.

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