Intensivist CRNP Payscale?

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So I'm on the cusp of making a decision about taking the dive into a APRN degree. Actually I've already applied and interviewed for CRNA school. I have some years of multiple different ICU backgrounds and love all things critical care. I really enjoy the role of the CRNA and would be mostly happy in that career.

While I love sedating patients, I also have a talkative and interactive side as well. My family and friends say they could see me doing well in either the CRNA or CRNP role. I guess I just have one of those personalities that could support either role.

My friend just started the BSN to DNP acute care CRNP program at USA and has been talking it up and encouraging it a lot lately. I love working with the NP's in the critical care area's and have always thought their role was interesting and exciting. If I was to go CRNP it would have to be as a specialty intensivist/pulmonology/cardiology focus because that's my background and passion.

Either route I go it'll be a DNP and it will be 3 to 3.5 years of school.

Something that is an evident dividing line is the salary compensation though. My question is, how much does a CRNP in an critical care specialty role make annually? California, Texas and Arizona seem to have better pay for CRNP's but it still seems to top out at $115,000 in those states, at least from online researching. I'm not adverse to moving to whichever state or location that offers the best professional advancement and salary.

It's just hard if you hold both of them up and they break close to even in most lifestyle and professional development categories, except a big difference in pay. Have you heard of CRNP's making $130,000 to $150,000 because that's starting pay for the CRNA's. It's not that I would have to make the exact salary of a CRNA but if the average salary is $100,000 for a CRNP and it's $150,000 for a CRNA you're looking at 1 million dollars different income in 20 years of practice. That's something to consider. That's 4 kids college tuition, a few new cars and a very nice home paid off and retirement saved up just in the difference of pay!

Any relevant input from (actual) CRNP's or CRNA's would be helpful. Thanks.

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I graduated CRNA school back in 2014, end of. Where I live the CRNA make about 50-60k more than the practitioners in the ICU starting out, and have quicker upward mobility. depends on location of course, not quite sure at other facilities. I doubt many NPs make 150k, at least not in my area. If money is a big promoter, pretty much the only nursing speciality worth going into is CRNA or psych NP. Some of them make close to what I make (200+) Otherwise it seems better to go to medical school. I do not have a DNP though, just a masters, and do not plan on getting one at this time or probably ever. Haven't even researched it so my opinion on the topic is limited and can be taken as a grain of salt.

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Since you are looking at an ICU NP role rather than outpatient, I am guessing ACNP is the specialty you are looking for right? I think your research is correct in assuming salaries. I rarely think most inpatient NPs creep over 120k even with bonuses in most cases. CRNAs in my area start over 150K and quickly rise to 180K plus. Like many nurses I wanted to be a CRNA, but when I shadowed one I really didn't like the nature of the job, but hey if it suits you go for it.

To answer your question I don't think in the majority of circumstances an NP will ever match a CRNAs salary.

Maybe Juan can shed some insight on the REAL income of ACNPs in the Bay area?

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I think most of ours sit at around 95-105 for a 40 or so hour workweek. maybe 42 hour since most are 3 on and 4 off and such. this is in the rural southeast.

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Actually I would be interested in the ACNP salary in the Bay Area. I'm living here now working at Stanford and the bedside RN makes $125,000 a year. They can make up to $200,000 pulling some good OT one of the managers said. I can't imagine CRNPs here make less than bedside RN's.

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I think most of ours sit at around 95-105 for a 40 or so hour workweek. maybe 42 hour since most are 3 on and 4 off and such. this is in the rural southeast.

Yeah that's just way too low. That's gross income too, I net more than that as a travel nurse!

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I'm an ICU ACNP in the SF Bay Area. With my years of experience, I'm making north of 175K a year. CRNA's with similar years of experience as myself in the same institution I work at will be started at around 225K. That kinda gives you a point of reference on the pay difference between the two roles.

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yeah it is low. But it does take in the fact the south is pretty cheap and they do not have to travel. But if one is free from commitment then travel nursing makes mega bank and is a great route to go. If I was still a nurse and not married there would be no way I would not travel nurse, but my wife is in her residency down in TN so we are stuck here for now. Def do not plan on staying though. 225k isn't that much for CRNA if RNs make 125-200. RNs where I live only make about 50k per year, and we make over 200 with a year of experience without any OT. Seems like nurses have a pretty good salary at the ADN, BSN level out there. Not sure if it would be worth it to go back with those numbers presented, at least not in that part of CALI. Unless you really enjoy the APN role.

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You're right about the ADN's and BSN's having it made here. They make more than me as a traveler and they get all the benefits. Of course to buy a house out here is completely outrageous. A 3 bedroom 2 bath home is typically 1 million out here. You'll be lucky to find a 2 bedroom condo for $750,000.

Juan it's encouraging to hear that CRNP's can make $175,000 but that is in probably the most expensive place to live in this solar system. It's disheartening to hear that the CRNA's are consistently making about $50,000 more a year in all markets. If I can choose two paths and enjoy either of them why not pick the one that nets an extra million dollars after 20 years practice? It's really not right that there is such a difference in pay between the two big APRN roles.

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