Seeking Advice On whether to go for FNP, ACNP or CRNA

nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP · Nov 25, 2009

Hey all,

I'm a 2nd semester LPN/RN student, with about a year to go until I have my RN. I know for sure that I want to become some type of advanced practice nurse. I crave the greater education, autonomy, advanced scope of practice and earning potential that is available with further education.

My dilemma is what to go into. I was originally considering CRNA, as running life support and anesthesia interests me, as well as the earning potential (obviously, this is what everyone wants to do it for). However, lately I've been also seriously considering being an NP. I'm very interested in working as a Hospitalist, in the ER, or as an FNP. One of my nursing instructors told me that while she thinks I'm fully capable of any of these, she feels I should be a NP because I'm more of a people person.

So, here are my questions:

1. What NP program would be best to be able to work as a Hospitalist? What about as an ER NP? I heard that often you need to be able to see all age groups in the ER. Is FNP better for this?

2. I enjoy the patient interaction aspect of nursing. Is that lost a bit more as a CRNA? Is it a more technically oriented job?

3. Is there the likelihood of earning $100k+ as an experienced NP?

4. Which speciality has the greatest burnout? Which has the greatest overall satisfaction?

While I want to be able to earn a good living, I don't want to sacrifice job satisfaction to make more money. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!