Family Nurse Practioner or CRNA

[AngelaChanel24]

I am currently working on my pre-nursing courses. Im considering going the nursing route. I went in thnking I wanted to be a FNP I still do, but I was reading up on the careers in the profession and I found that the CRNA seems to fit my goals a little better. I was at the hosipital for weeks before my uncle died in July and I even met a CRNA. I had no idea what they did or anything. I chatted with her for about 30 minutes and I feel like this is a VERY interesting profession. I really like what she does on a daily basis. I know they get paid well, she certainly mentioned that but she also stated a lot of time she and others work early hours and have some afternoons off. That was very appealing as well, but Im a workaholic I love to work I simply would like to know the pros and cons of the profession of a CRNA and if possible that of the Family Nurse Practioner. I also wanted to know if there are nurse practioners that eventually get certified as a CRNA in later down the line. The FNP program Im looking into will take you in after you've completed your BSN and it's a much simpler path. But nothing great comes easy. I just want to make the best career choice for me. So any advice would be amazing!!! ThankYou.

[Happy Halothane]

Basically, it all boils down to what you want. It's great that you had a chance to speak with a CRNA.

Once you get your RN, go shadow several CRNA's in a variety of anesthesia settings. That's you're best way to decide if you'll like it or not.

Being an RN offers an amazing amount of flexibility in career options. If you decide to pursue anesthesia, you need to devote yourself to obtaining significant critical care experience. Basic ICU's don't cut it. You need to be involved in managing your ventilators, working with invasive lines, and titrating medications. A CRNA is an expert in those areas...you need to provide that foundation BEFORE entering a program.

Either way, you should end up as a ARNP, just with a different specialty. What do you want to do for the rest of your career? You may not know for sure until later down the road.

Good luck! And hang in there. RN programs are challenging too...a lot of rules and "white".

[SIGMACHIGUY]

What do you want to do? What is your PASSION? Both are completely different aspects of care...one being mostly OR typically and managing patient hemodynamics with a quick turn around client relationship. NP being more family practice based with long client relationships in treating overall conditions. I think you need to really evaluate what your passion is.....family practice or anesthesia? Both being great fields but of completely different specialties IMO. Best of luck!

[loveanesthesia]

It really depends on your personality, my impression of FNP is you do a lot more H & P type of work, while in anesthesia we also do a lot of technical skills and short term decision making.

What I would like you to think about it getting a couple years of nursing experience before going to a FNP program (obviously it's required for the CRNA route). It would put you so far ahead in your patient assessment skills than going straight into the FNP program after nursing school. We need strong NPs to advance the APRN role, and you absolutely need that experience to allow you to become the best NP possible. I know I learned more the first 2 years out of my RN program than at any time except my nurse anesthesia program. Nursing schools gives you the very basic's.