I need your input on a potentially life-altering decision...

[Scrubs911]

I'm trying to figure out the next step of my life. I will be applying to MSN programs for this fall or next spring but I'm yet to decide on what advanced practice concentration to focus on. So far I'm thinking ANP, ACNP or CRNA. I've got the grades and pre-reqs for any of these (God's been good to me with my grades and I am thankful not boastful), and I can see myself functioning in any of these roles. I'm still working on the work experience part of the applications though (I work in the ICU).

Here's where I have issues, I've gotten different opinions about these areas of nursing (on this site and talking to others), may of which are not realistic. For example, some folks seem to think all CRNAs are rich and are living the life, but many don't consider the liability, stress factor, on-call nights, weekends and holidays that go into that pay-check.

Here's what I want in my future: Some autonomy (I'm one of those nurses who sees nothing wrong with APNs collaborating with MDs), time to be with my family, a stable work schedule, not having to miss my babies' birthdays "cos mommy has to work," and time to have a real life-- travel, do community work, follow other non-nursing interests. The financial aspect though important is not my priority-- I do want a comfortable life for my family though.

Am I being unrealistic? Do any of these career paths provide at least 70% of what I want for the future?

Thank you for your input.

[Liddle Noodnik]

Explain to me why making $120,000 base as CRNA is "living" the life.

That really isn't that much.

I'm being honest here.

It ain't gravy, baby. :)

[Lucky0220]

On a serious note: If this is a life-altering decision, you might check in with people you know and trust. Seeking advice from individuals on website for such decisions just seems ridiculous:uhoh3:.

Considering the fact that you are still a student, (we all did clinicals in all the areas you list in your profile!), to call the OP's post "ridiculous" shows a bit of immaturity. She is just asking for opinions of those who are in the same employment field. Who would you ask? Family members or loved ones that are not in the profession??

She didn't say life "threatening"! To this person, it's a very important decision and to mock the post is just plain rude.

[RNforLongTime]

If I had to choose..based on the job market in my area(NE OH/NW PA) I'd choose CRNA.

[Lucky0220]

explain to me why making $120,000 base as crna is "living" the life.

that really isn't that much.

i'm being honest here.

for example, some folks seem to think all crnas are rich and are living the life, but many don't consider the liability, stress factor, on-call nights, weekends and holidays that go into that pay-check

if you read the post correctly, see above, you would see that the op did not state that she thought "making $120k" was "living the good life." she just wanted some of her peer's opinions and so far, two posts not only don't answer her question or offer help, but make somewhat condescending comments instead. and we wonder why they say "nurses eat their young". it even happens on this forum.

ps: pacu, i usually enjoy most of your posts.

[NurseKJ]

Pacu,

Did you mean that 120 k is not a lot of money or not a lot for a CRNA? I don't really have a clue what new-grad CRNAs would make.

-- I do not know much about CRNA programs (because I only looked into itbriefly), but I do know this... it is nearly impossible/not recommended that you work during the program... and the program (from what I"ve seen) is about 24 months, full time. Most ANP and ACNP programs offer full or part time study. It's not easy, but doable to work full or part time while going for your NP full or part time.

So depending on your financial situation, that might be a consideration.

[LiLoRN]

Well this is a huge decision for ya, I've been in your shoes. I'm gonna tell you straight up, if you are able to dedicate 2.5 years of your life to anesthesia school, go that route. By dedicate, I mean you can not work (hope your financials are in order) and you will be away from your family for many many hours. And the hours you are at home you will mostly spend studying. That program is intense! But after it's all done, you will reap the benefits. The anesthetists at my hospital do not take call! No nights/no weekends!! Only the anesthesiologists take call there. Have you ever spent any time in an OR? If you're not working stuff like open heart or trauma, 98% of cases go as planned, the anesthesia providers just chill. But it's those 2% that really makes all that studying and clinicals pay off--you gotta know what to do and do it fast! Overall, it's a great profession...great money...great autonomy...and depending on the facility, great hours. How do I know all this? I'm a PACU nurse who's spent some time in the OR, I have friends that are CRNA's, and I've researched the hell out of it. Too bad for me that I just can't dedicate myself to those 2.5 years...Can't lose the income and don't want to be away from my daughter. Hope that helps!

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

graduate school is hard work, time consuming and expensive. if you don't know what you want to do, clearly you don't have a passion for it. why don't you wait until you know what you want to do and feel passionate about it, then go to graduate school?

[destiny5]

On a serious note: If this is a life-altering decision, you might check in with people you know and trust. Seeking advice from individuals on website for such decisions just seems ridiculous:uhoh3:.

I am sure the OP is just seeking advise from the people on this website that do the job everyday. She wants to make an informed decision and who better to ask than us.... her peers and advance practice nurses who are where she is trying to go. Anyway, I thought that's what this site was for .

[Scrubs911]

I am so grateful to everyone for taking the time to help me with this issue. I appreciate all the suggestions and advice. There's quite a bit I have to figure out and the posts here have helped me narrow down some of the important stuff: What the market is like, what other options are out there, how much time and money I can dedicate to school, and what the hours are like. I couldn't have come up with all of these suggestions on my own; I am thankful to you all.

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

You might want to consider jobs in Staff Development (the specialty of Nursing Professional Development) or a Clinical Nurse Specialist role. Those roles are more about supporting the staff than providing direct care and therefore have schedules that are more flexible.

In such roles you would focus on teaching classes, maybe coordinating orientation, working on clinical projects, policy development, evaluating practice, implementing change, etc. The hours rarely include nights, holidays, weekends, etc. and you can usually have more flexibility in your schedule. As you get experince in professional development, there can be opportunities for working on conferences, teaching workshops, teaching at a school part time, etc. I have a friend who left her hospital staff development job to teach for a school part time and also to work part time for a company that teaches 1 and 2 day review courses for people to take their certification exam in her specialty. She can schedule those workshops at her convenience.

Staff development and CNS roles "keep you current" because you are in the hospital working with the staff who work directly with patients -- and maybe doing a little direct patient care yourself. However, you have a WHOLE LOT of autonomy and a good schedule and lots of different job opportunites down the road.

It's funny how young nurses rarely think of the field of staff development when they think about career planning. They think only of Nurse Practitioner, CRNA, and management roles. Check around your hosptial. There are probably lots of nurses with "other roles," such as staff development, pain coordinator, palliative care coordinator, infection control specialist, skin care specialist, etc. Most of those roles are MSN level roles (or will soon require MSN's) -- and they give you the types of things you say you want.

Good luck!

This is EXACTLY what I want to do but I don't know how to go about it. There is a MSN in Nsg Education program at the uni I got my BSN from but I DO NOT want to teach students or have a clinical group...ever....so this sounds like the wrong kind of thing. I am NICU and there are no NICU based CNS programs around here that I'm aware of and my unit doesn't even use them.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

Really? Hmmm...

Oh wait...REALLY?!!

Yes really.

In the whole scheme of things and in my personal life, it's not that much.

[PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN]

for example, some folks seem to think all crnas are rich and are living the life, but many don't consider the liability, stress factor, on-call nights, weekends and holidays that go into that pay-check

if you read the post correctly, see above, you would see that the op did not state that she thought "making $120k" was "living the good life." she just wanted some of her peer's opinions and so far, two posts not only don't answer her question or offer help, but make somewhat condescending comments instead. and we wonder why they say "nurses eat their young". it even happens on this forum.

ps: pacu, i usually enjoy most of your posts.

hehe--i'm really asking why that particular number makes people salivate. i guess where i am going with this is, why is that the ultimate reason some would make to be one particular specialty over another. i for one love that field. but the money is, well, just a good "side effect."

i just want to understand why that is such an important number.