NP and CRNA

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 20, 2003

There has been a lot of questions regarding this lately. I am also interested in knowing about this situation. It should be possible a nurse to become an NP and CRNA.

piper77 · Jul 20, 2003

my two cents worth...it's entirely possible. However, not sure why one would want to do that. Anesthesia is a specialized field which demands consistent practice and updating of knowledge in order to stay current. Practice as an NP, whatever specialty, would require similar demands. If one is desiring to work as a critical care NP, I would think one would feel fulfilled in an appropriate CRNA position where there would be some ICU work involved (some positions involve this). Complementary career paths probably work the best. If working in another specialty, such as psych or FP or peds......boy, that would be a lot to juggle. Not impossible at all, but it may behoove one to be a master of one trade rather than a jack of all.....

Now that having been said...I worked in a PACU in a small community hospital about 15 years ago. We had 2 rooms (I did say small...) and 2 anesthesiologists. One guy would run a family practice (along with his MD wife) on the side. He was a great gas passer, but always itching for our patients to leave the PACU so he could go to his office practice. Never got much sleep or time with his kids...and saw his wife occasionally at the office......

Like I said, it can be done....but is it worth it? Anyway, just my opinion - and good luck in whatever you do.

Newyorker2800 · Jul 20, 2003

Thanks FOR YOUR RESPONSE. I DONT WANT TO PURSUE BOTH CAREERS I JUST WANT TO BECOME A CRNA BUT I WAS JUST CURIOUS BECAUSE I SAW ANOTHER THREAD WHERE SOMEONE ASKED SOMETHIG SIMILAR AND I WAS WONDERING WHETHER IT WAS LEGAL.

MICU RN · Jul 20, 2003

I have met some NP's who are now in crna school and they have to complete almost the whole program. So when you talk about going to school to become a NP and a CRNA you are talking about a long haul. You could probably go to med school and complete a residency with that kind of time investment.

P.S. the np's I spoke with said they went to crna school for better job opportunites and compensation. They also said that crna school was much more rigorous in regards to academics and clinical hours.

zacarias, ASN, RN · Jul 21, 2003

Thanks guys for your thoughts on this matter. Becoming an NP and CRNA almost sounds like a crazy idea now. I like the scientific and critical care aspect of CRNA, but I like healthcare teaching I think too much to NOT be an NP you know?