CRNA VS NP

[Sabotai]

I am a male RN, graduating from a RN program in a month. I intend to go right into a rn to bsn program this fall. My wife is currently getting her NP and then working towards her DNP at a top 10 school nationally. I mention that because I hope to go to the same school for whichever patch I choose. The reason I am curious about some opinions on this is because I want to go after my masters. I want to achieve all I can and I want to do a job that I am well paid for. I see all these posts talking about an over saturation of CRNAS and about NPs being underpaid. I personally do not know about the pay for NPs and my wife is not finished yet to see what offers will be. honestly want to succeed in whatever I do and right now I am not leaning one way or another. I like both career choices for what they are, and have actually spent time with both(a perk of being married to an OR nurse in a hospital). I just don't want to pay 10s of thousands of dollars for a school name and a degree and be disappointed with the salary at all. I would not want to be an NP or a CRNA and make 40 dollars an hour and be in debt up to my eyeballs. I sometimes feel the safest bet is be an RN and work in an OR in my area and work up the ladder making 40 dollars an hour that way. I think the biggest worry is the DEBT to WORTH issue for me... Which career is most worth the time and money and not going to be over crowded or underpaid for the effort I know I put into everything.

[Argo]

I thought about it and it was not worth it for debt acquired to income level achieved for me. I'm 5 years out of school as an adn working in the OR and make $45/HR now. I'm happy with my income level. Push yourself hard through the initial learning curve and get into the most difficult specialties by being willing and available.... I had prior well rounded OR experience prior to nursing but it's doable for a newb too. Get two years of experience somewhere then pimp yourself out and negotiate a higher wage. If you have to you do it again a year later.... In the OR you can also pick up lots of call plus extra shifts. I get $10/HR for call where I'm at now....

[puravidaLV]

Nurse work when and where you want

NP Work when and where you want

CRNA exclude the west coast and well work where you want during the days.

I am seeing the benefits of getting my masters in the future, yet if I based it on pay and not prestige its not worth my time, effort, or energy.

[Sabotai]

Why do I see so many posts about NPs on these forums saying they don't expect to make 100k and some even saying that they are fine with 65k etc... Previous to going into nursing I owned a construction company for seven years I made well over 100k a year doing that on average. I am going into nursing due to the changes in the construction industry and the fact I always wanted to be in medicine. If I go on to become an NP I would expect to be treated well, and paid well for the eight years It will take me to get all the way through my DNP. I will and have always applied myself in school to get all A's and will do the same in the masters and doctorate programs. I will be able to act as a primary care, and should be paid as that. There are some states and practices where NPs are paid equal to General practitioner MDs. If MDs want to make more they should be surgeons, and not try to take it away from capable NPs.

[numair89]

Hello,

I got into the pre nursing program at CSU Stanislaus, which is a four year nursing program, that will give me a BSN. After those four years i can get two years of experience and apply for my masters as a CRNA or a NP. Which one is a better bet? Which one has a higher job opening. Also another option was I can go to UC Merced for four years and get a Bachelors degree in Biology. Afterwards i can four years of med school and roughly 4-6 years for my residency as an anesthesiologist. Which option would be a better bet? Do you think CRNA or a NP would be a more fun job to do? Thanks

email me for more details if you wish [email protected]

[KPHIL71]

I think its a good idea to be a bedside nurse for at least two years after graduation. I graduated with my BSN and went straight to the ICU. I've been there for four years and am still learning everyday. I start a CRNA program in 6 weeks and think I am making the right decision based on my research and my specific opportunity. I myself have always enjoyed procedures (conscious sedations for intubations, endoscopy, etc). I also have a strong chemistry background so anesthesia seems like the right fit. I shadowed with 3 differing groups and really got to know what the the job market was like for each city or town I would practice.

[zzbxdo]

You need to do your homework and research all your options, no one is gonna do it for you... there are too many factors including where you work, the population, time commitment etc. I got my degree @ CSU Stan and the nursing portion is 3 years in itself excluding prereqs.