Dnap. Is crna worth it in the next years

[Hopefulllmother]

I want to become a crna and by the time I do and if I get accepted into a crna school it will be the year 2020 or so. So I will be a crna not a dnap. My question is. By the year 2025 they are making changes to all schools that crna will be dnap instead(from what I have read up on). Which means more school time. What does that hold for the future for regular crna's? Less pay? Will we be wanted just as much as dnap's? Will we be less respected and less wanted? I'm only nineteen so I don't have much experience on these type of topics. I'm set on being a crna though so no I am not going in it for the money. I guess what I'm trying to say is do you stay where you are at or once 2025 comes do I continue on with my education?

[dab121504]

It's hard for me to find a valid comparison as every school has a different price, even in the same town. You have a very valid argument. I had not considered having my employer pay for the DNP, my current facility doesn't offer tuition reimbursement to RN's, possibly different for CRNA's. I personally hate working and going to school. I want it over and finished so I can enjoy life! With my goal of leaving the repressed south and opening my own company, getting it finished all at once feels best for me. Thanks for the thoughts!

[gazpaz]

I wouldn't focus on MSN vs DNAP right now. Most programs are transitioning to DNAP as required by the COA. Instead focus on the quality of the program, the clinical rotations you will have and the hands on learning opportunities that you will have.

At at the end of the day, your clinical performance and your letters of recommendation will get you a good job after school. Anesthesia is a very small community and news travels far and fast. We have MSN and DNP CRNAS at my job, we are treated the same and there is no degree difference in pay or treatment. It's all about personality, attitude and clinical performance. I wouldn't go back for a DNP unless forced to by my anesthesia group, which I don't see happening.