CRNA or NP?

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What is your opinion on the CRNA or NP/DNP? I'm up in the air and would like to receive some feedback from someone who has acomplished this degree already or in progess of completing it!

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Specializes in Pediatric/Adolescent, Med-Surg.

Which do you think you would enjoy? Are you an RN yet? I think that after most people start working as a RN they are able to tell that which career advancement path would be right for them.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
What is your opinion on the CRNA or NP/DNP? I'm up in the air and would like to receive some feedback from someone who has acomplished this degree already or in progess of completing it!

It is personal matter which one every person will like to do. I like the highly technical and intellectual aspects that come with being a CRNA. Not to say being a NP isn't intellectual, but it is different.

I suggest shadowing both professions as much as possible to see which one you like better.

There are at least a couple of threads on here covering the same topic also that you may want to read through.

By the way both professions are moving towards the DNP not just NPs.

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I will be graduating with my RN soon. I think that I will enjoy each profession equally. I do agree that once I get into the field I will probably find out exactly what I will really like. I am a planner and I like to have my path set :)

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Agree with other posters: very important to shadow NPs/CRNAs once you get your RN.

Depending on where you work, you might also get a chance to work with these professionals and perhaps talk more one on one with them to get a better idea of what they do and if you would like to do that.

I'm a pre-hospital RN on my rural rescue squad and had to go to the OR and do 10 intubations. I chose the CRNAs (several of whom I had worked with) and spoke to them about their lifestyle and job and how they liked it.

I just didn't care for the OR atmosphere - its cold, the pts are sleeping, etc. My nursing background is mostly ER and trauma and I absolutely love the chaos of never knowing what's coming in the door but knowing that you can deal with it when it comes.

I ended up doing an adult health CNS and a peds CNS and now work in nephrology.

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