Hypothetical questions about CRNA and NP school.

[StudentOfHealing]

First and foremost, yes yes... I know I need to graduate nursing school then get my BSN first. Got it (=

I WILL graduate. I am done being negative. I've begun to despise the "if I graduate" phrase. I'm not here to just get by... I am here to learn!

Now, I have heard various things about different nurses regarding NP and CRNA school.

I heard that NP can be part time.

I heard CRNA is not part time is full time and you cannot work.

I know different schools may offer different options as far part time and such but for the most part I have heard CRNA is full time because it is SO MUCH information.

Here's my background. I am a single guy, I am twenty years old. My only responsibility would be my mom, in my culture (Hispanic) you don't put your elders/superiors in nursing homes.

She is healthy though. She has HTN. She's amazingly healthy, apart from her nasty smoking habits. She's a massage therapist, and that.... that is a lot of physical work.

So she will be (God willing) 100% independent ... just living with me. I don't want her to work... but I do want her to maintain a hobby or fun-job. Arts & craft. Painting. Teaching massage therapy - idc whatever she wants to do... but I want her mind to be active.

anyways... my question is this... if CRNA is fulltime and you cannot work... how do guys do it? how did y'all do it? Save up money?

Could I work a less stressful job? Maybe within nursing?

Maybe a day surgery job 6am to 2p? Perhaps a dialysis job?

(I know I need ICU experience prior, I mean holding a job during).

As you can tell, I am mainly focused on CRNA... as I am aware there are part time NP programs.

Lastly, it may seem like I'm asking WAY in advanced but I'm realizing I DO want to advance my career after getting my hands dirty in as many areas of nursing as possible or even in one general area... tele... icu ect.

I notice myself always reading the hardcore pathophysiology in my med surg book... stuff we rarely get tested on.

Will I get to learn more physiology? chemistry? and it's clinical applications? I really love that stuff... like a lot (=

I really love being asked those tough questions in clinical. I love being challenged. I love understanding the big picture.

Back to the original question:

How did you it with regards to money? Obviously if you had spousal support than that doesn't apply to me, I don't plan on marriage so please don't even suggest it. LOL. I'm on my own, with no kids.

Also, are all these good reasons to go the CRNA route? I just really want to be challenged and I really want to learn some hardcore patho and apply it all to the clinical setting.

Is CRNA school less fluffy than nursing school? I'm willing to get through the fluff, I'm not gonna cry! I'll do what it takes. The fluff... the hardcore.. whatever.

Thank you so much!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

lots of words that I just did not take time to read but I still have advice and this fits many dilemma questions. Go to the source.

Call, visit, go online to the schools that offer those programs. Ask them to give you brochures or get appt. with an advisor. Get FACTS, not opinions and you will be able to decide on your own. Best of all, you do not have to make the decision now. I am like you in that I like to have goals and do some planning, but you need to get real answers from the people who know. For one thing, graduation and licensure requirements vary from place to place.

[StudentOfHealing]

Thank you. I plan to call and visit schools this summer when I get my week off from nursing school. Best way to get information.

[Stephalump]

I have no advice as I'm in the same part of the journey as you are, but I wanted to say you sound like a wonderful son. Your mother must be proud :)

[cdscmb]

Also, are all these good reasons to go the CRNA route? I just really want to be challenged and I really want to learn some hardcore patho and apply it all to the clinical setting.

Thank you so much!

Applying hardcore patho is something an NP (or PA, or physician) would be doing. A CRNA typically assists/manages anesthetized patients. I've known people who've gone to CRNA school and quit because it was boring. Same meds, same patient situations, etc. Others love it. Alot of my classmates were interested in CRNA, but they were motivated by $$. The best reason to go the CRNA route would be if you enjoy the work that a CRNA does. Either route, you'll be challenged on a daily basis and I wish you luck on your decision!

[ImKosher]

Prepare to go for a Doctorate's rather than master's. 2015, Schools all over the nation are switching over to the Doctorate. It's a challenging career. You will have to commit 150%. Good luck.

[CRNI2010]

My husband is a CRNA. You can definitely not work while doing the program. Even with me working as an ER nurse at the time, we had to take out loans, though not as much as some of his classmates had to do. You will be making a lot when graduating so paying them back shouldn't be a problem if you are smart with money. Try to get experience on a cardio thoracic ICU floor. It seemed like most of his class spent a few years there prior to applying.

Good luck!

[CRNI2010]

....gonna add one more thing.

You should also try to shadow a CRNA for a day to see if its really for you.

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

As you said, most of the answers to these questions are going to depend on the program that you attend. There's no straightforward answer. I'm willing to bet if you looked all over the country you can find a part time CRNA program, but relocating for school may not be a good option for you.

CRNA programs (and NP programs) require clinical hours as well as class work. While a 6-2 job might fit into your class schedule, I doubt it will fit into that week of overnight call rotations you're required to take. You'll quickly learn that in nursing there is no such thing as a 6-2 job. Outpatient surgery center? What if the last case of the day runs into complications and it takes an hour longer than expected? What if the surgeon is late, or a patient is late? You can never guarantee that you'll be out on time, and if you've got a class starting at 3pm, that's a lot to consider.

Investigate the programs on an individual basis. It's good that you're thinking ahead, but honestly, program requirements can change a lot in four-six years, so focus on getting accepted into nursing school, getting your BSN and then getting a couple years of experience under your belt first. You may realize that you don't like the idea of being a CRNA or an NP, but you find your niche somewhere else.

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I always find it interesting on here when I see students considering NP and CRNA. They are nothing alike and both require different skill sets that appeal to different types of nurses.

CRNA's will have a much more intensive program, stronger in the sciences than NP. They will intubate, titrate gtts. Most will work in an OR setting with pts that are sedated.

NP, as mentioned can be done will working as an RN. FNP seems to be the most common, which will prepare you for primary care, but there are options now to study acute care. Will have less of a focus on science classes. Most work out patient settings. Will involve much more pt interaction than CRNA.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

Either way, you will be working for several years as a staff nurse before you can do either...so stop stressing about making this decision now. You might well decide that something else will fit your life better when the time comes.

Besides, with half the known population of nursing students dead certain sure they will all go to NP or CRNA school, you know a lot of them are ... wrong.