CRNA vs NP

suzanne4, RN · May 3, 2004

Hi I am finally at the point where I have to make a decision before applying to a program and I was wondering if anyone had any advice I was leaning towards the Nurse Practitioner program and recently have been looking into the CRNA programs. What helped you determine what you wanted to do and what type of personality or job experience helped you prepare for your career. I have been in nursing 15 years and am a single mom. I have always liked patient care and worry that I would miss that as a CRNA. Any advise or opionion is gratefully accepted. Thank You
Also in Texas, what school did you go to and how did you find the program?

As a single mom, unless you have an extremely good support system, the CRNA program is not going to give you much time to be a mom. You will be putting in about 6-8 hours of studying daily, and this isn't including class-time or clinicals. I would recommend shadowing a CRNA for a day.

Is your experience in critical care? If not, for the CRNA programs, you will be required to have minimum of one year in an ICU.

I am sure that others will be posting............... :balloons:

FLCRNA2B · May 4, 2004

I work in CVICU with 2 ARNP's who can not find jobs in Florida. From what I have heard, atleast here in Florida, there is an over supply of ARNPs right now. They don't seem to be compensated very well financially in regards to their responsibility. Just something to keep in mind. I would recommend researching the job market in your area for ARNP's. Good luck!

MaleAPRN · May 4, 2004

Hi,

I am currently working as an NP in a level 1 trauma ER (2 yrs now), and I will be starting NA school this August. One of the things that I did during the start of my career in nursing, was to work hard in getting my BSN, MSN and my NP certificate. All those years, I was working in the ICU and ER, all the while, still having the desire to become a CRNA someday. I finally had the chance to do this (financially) and do not even regret becoming an NP first. Not that I'm suggesting that you do both, but, in my own personal experience, it (being an NP) has made me a more well-rounded and conscientious clinician. In fact, after I become a CRNA, I will continue practicing as an NP. I think that there is a potential opportunity for a CRNA who is also an NP in the future. Especially in high-need, rural areas of the country.

I guess the point of my story is...it's never too late to pursue what truely feels right for you. It's important to reflect on your past nursing history. Is there a pattern there? Do you enjoy contacts with patients with lots of education as well as disease management? In that case, being an NP is for you. Or, do you like the challenge of complicated cases, OR setting, problem solving, etc? Then becoming a CRNA would be ideal for you. Or, do you like to become both, just like me? :rolleyes:

Hope this helps. Most importantly...I HOPE IT MAKES SENSE! :)

Vinnysca

4EverStudent · May 4, 2004

I realize school is tough I work full time now and take 17 hours at the university and have been able to manage to keep my gpa at 3.7 I am hoping this is high enough to get me in a program. I have yet to take my GMAT either. My children are wonderful 2 however start college on thier own this next year and my youngest will soon be starting kindergarten. I don't intend to work throught the masters program. I do enjoy patient care and this is why I was concerned about going the CRNA route even though career wise I feel it would probably be the best route. Thank You all for your input it helps reaffirm what I have been thinking already.

Tony35NYC · May 4, 2004

I work in CVICU with 2 ARNP's who can not find jobs in Florida. From what I have heard, atleast here in Florida, there is an over supply of ARNPs right now. They don't seem to be compensated very well financially in regards to their responsibility. Just something to keep in mind. I would recommend researching the job market in your area for ARNP's. Good luck!

I'm nowhere near grad shool yet, but I've heard the same thing from many of my instructors about doing the NP program here in Florida. At the hospital where I'm now doing clinicals, a number of the staff nurses are actually NPs who are back on the floor as RNs because they either couldn't find a job as an NP or couldn't find one that pays the $$$ they want. I've also heard that some RNs who work 1 1/2 jobs or put in a little overtime here and there end up making more money than most NPs. But, of course, there's always more than one side to every story, and maybe the job market for NPs is not the same elsewhere.

I also plan to go to CRNA school and I've been hearing that the job market is saturated with NAs, too. I don't buy any of it. Its just a matter of networking and doing research until you find the right opportunity for you, and its not always about the money. For instance, after doing more research I found that there ARE jobs for NPs here in Florida, just not in the most popular areas or in the most prestigious private practices. And although the salaries are sometimes not as high as some NPs make elsewhere they are still pretty good. Even if you don't want to work in a rural area, there are a lot of opportunities for NPs in county clinics and corrections. You could also work in a military hospital as a civillian, or you could teach.

meredithxm · Jul 30, 2004

Can anyone comment on the time they have with patients? As a CRNA do you feel like you wish you had more time to actually talk to/educate patients/more of a community involvement in health care? Or- as an NP do you feel like you have plenty of patient time but long for more autonomy and complicated cases? I do need to do some more shadowing I realize but if anyone can give their opinion id be grateful!

jrvb · Jul 30, 2004

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meredithxm · Jul 30, 2004

I could have worded that better but I see what you are getting at. I guess I wonder if CRNA's feel like they "miss out" because they arent seeing patients/families over several years/visits. I realize the importance of Nurse anesthetist's relationship with patients I just never hear that much about patient/provider relationships and more about technology and procedures.(which makes sense) thanks for your opinion!

What is your definition of patient care? I think there is a big misconception that CRNA's are not interested in interacting with patients and thats why some people choose the profession. In reality what the job entails is an extremely close relationship with the person you are taking care of. Remeber, you are the last person they see and talk to when they go off to sleep and the first person that they see when they wake up. It is a huge weight to be entrusted with that persons life and to know that they are counting on you to take care of them. You are the one that tries to allay their fear when they are extremely vulnerable and it is you personal responsibility to make sure that they wake up as comfortable as possible. I enjoy the instant results that you get from the decisoins you make. IM sure that being an NP is a great job but I enjoy the instant gratification that you get doing anesthesia. You dont have to wait ten days to see if the antibiotic you prescribed works, you know right away whether or not you did a good job and have to live with that for better or worse.

charles-thor · Jul 30, 2004

NA market saturated? Where?

deepz · Jul 30, 2004

NA market saturated? Where?

Atlanta.

But not saturated with CRNAs.

!