CRNAs Looking Down on NPs

Specialties NP

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Hey guys. I'm currently in a NP program. I'm working fulltime and doing the program, so to say the least I'm very busy! I was talking to a friend who is a CRNA and he really ticked me off. He was saying "All NP students are people who tried to get into CRNA school and wasn't good enough". That kind of attitude is so infuriating. I have never wanted to be a CRNA, and have very good grades and GRE scores. Have you noticed this superior attitudes with other CRNA's? Wonder why? Is it because they are so highly paid??

I would never want to be a CRNA if I was going to get an advanced degree.......but I have to say that first off.......what the hell kind of money are you people making when $100K--$120K isn't a lot of money!!! LOL **** thats twice what I make at least!! And isn't any level of nursing suppose to be about the love of caring for people? Yeah I wanna make good money but that is not what it is all about. Second just FYI....my first job out of Nursing school was in L&D and 98% of the epidurals were done by CRNAs...they were very interactive with the patients and were really a wonderful group of women....the patients loved them....great bedside manor and not dealing with sedated patients but patients very awake and in a lot of pain and the CRNA comes in and is responsible for making that go away......damm the patients were like...."I love you! Your awesome!" to them. And they didn't have any kind of superiority complex. If I had to do that job I wouldnt want the OR but L&D so I could have awake patients.

Without specifics, over the years my spouse's salary has evolved to the point where I can see that on a daily basis 100K+ is not the magical dream most people assume it to be. The reality is that the take home pay is not *actually* 100K....that's just the number you see on the tax forms! The take home pay from a salary quote of $100K/year is really only about 70K. I think that is one of the problems with people today. They think they are making $50K but take home pay is really only about 30K!

I guess I do know some people who live high on the hog on 100K but they are wallering in huge mortgages and really cool cars that they can't afford. 100K is enough to live comfortably, but if you live within your means and engage in a no-debt lifestyle then honestly there isn't a BMW in the picture. But maybe that's just our family and how we view $$. I have a family member who is an anesthesiologist and for the first TWELVE years of practice he drove the same old beater Camry that had about 200,000 miles on it when he finally sold it. He waited until he had CASH saved up to buy his dream car. I guarantee you anyone who buys a car right out of CRNA school is financing that sucker to the hilt.

Off my soapbox.........

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Honestly, I am applying to CRNA school and couldnt imagine going through all the drama for the salaries of some NPs. I wanna make bank, and I fully intend to celebrate with a new BMW when I'm done! ;)

I have had students ask for years which is the better option. The answer is really quite simple. Do you have a good personality? If yes, NP.

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I have had students ask for years which is the better option. The answer is really quite simple. Do you have a good personality? If yes, NP.

ROFLMAO :bowingpur

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I second Zenman's response, prairienp--that's awesome advice. I need to remember that for the future!

lola

(fnp-hopeful)

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Try to remember that we are all advanced practice nurses -some of us are just lucky enough to work or want to work with awake patients ;) Although I will remember the pithy reply to to the question of which should I be!

Seriously, we all have slighlty different journeys in life, that's what makes it interesting. Remember, we do need to have a mutual respect for our fellow advanced practice nurses and vice versa, so that we can present a united front to further our profession.

My understanding is that CRNA's have done and are doing pretty well on the legislative front because they are such a united group w/ strong lobbying efforts. Perhaps we can learn from them.

And I have heard of CRNA's making $200K and more, but it is not my gig I don't care how much they make other than as a point of interest. I just want to be able to afford to pay for my student loans when I graduate!

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I don't see how anyone just out of school whether it be an NP or CRNA could possibly have enough cash saved up to pay for a BMW or Corvette unless you are financing it. In my opinion, UGH!! financing it would totally ruin any good feeling of getting the car anyway unless it was paid in full. Screw having a car payment ever.

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Specializes in ER; CCT.

Don't be too hard on the CRNA's. They have it tough. Sitting on a stool, watching monitors and pushing meds all day long, in those cold little rooms--all the while trying not to doze off. I kind of feel bad for them--like the pharmacist locked away behind the glass windows looking out--wondering what its like to be on the outside with conscious people.

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Specializes in ER; CCT.
I don't see how anyone just out of school whether it be an NP or CRNA could possibly have enough cash saved up to pay for a BMW or Corvette unless you are financing it.

It's pretty easy.

http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2008/03/Junk_74_2002-26.jpg

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Specializes in Pediatric Neurosugery and Neurology.

Totally felt that going through school. I've always wanted to be a NP since I can remember. Never wanted to be a doctor and definitely never thought about being a CRNA. Just the thought of being a CRNA is not appealing to me. To each their own.

Honestly, I am applying to CRNA school and couldnt imagine going through all the drama for the salaries of some NPs. I wanna make bank, and I fully intend to celebrate with a new BMW when I'm done!

I enjoy my BMW from the BSN. It's called being responsible with your money and good credit.

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Specializes in ER, PM, Oncology, Management.
I don't see how anyone just out of school whether it be an NP or CRNA could possibly have enough cash saved up to pay for a BMW or Corvette unless you are financing it. In my opinion, UGH!! financing it would totally ruin any good feeling of getting the car anyway unless it was paid in full. Screw having a car payment ever.

This statement is totally NOT true. Why you ask? Because I had a BMW in FNP school, and I only financed 10k of it. It was a brand new 2006 BMW 325xi loaded to the gills with GPS and Premium package. You can buy any car you want if you budget for it. I'm living proof.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.
The CRNA's I know don't exactly "make bank" either. I'm sorry, but $100-120K is not "making bank" and certainly isn't the BMW lifestyle.

I've never heard it said that NPs were just CRNA wannabees. I have absolutely NO desire to push buttons and manage lines all day. I like my patients awake and talking and I have a passion for helping people manage their health and THAT is why I am choosing to be an NP.

Well in Michigan they can make up to $250K. I'd say they can buy a BMW. But the field is getting saturated..we may see a derease in their pay soon?

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The CRNA's I know don't exactly "make bank" either. I'm sorry, but $100-120K is not "making bank" and certainly isn't the BMW lifestyle.

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Those CRNA's who are pulling down 100K per year, is that for part-time work? Honestly, I've never heard of a CRNA making that level of pay. When I was in nursing school 15+ years ago, they were pulling down a minimum of 150K per year.

A few months ago we had a CRNA patient come to the office and the doctor said, "You should have been a CRNA, he makes at least 200K a year!" The doctor walked off and the CRNA told me that he makes a whole lot more than that! I never did find out what he really makes, but I've heard they're making up to 300K a year in S. Texas.

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