NP, CNS or CRNA?

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Hi,

I have a long term goal to advance my nursing career to either NP, CNS or CRNA. I know they are very different, but I want honest opinion from those who are already an NP, CNS or CRNA, or who are current studying those fields.

I'm graduating this December in an ADN program. My plan is to work in ICU after graduation. In the meantime...I'm trying to apply to BSN program next Fall 2009, or Spring 2010. I have a passion to teach...so I thought maybe I should get my MSN, then either NP or CNS, so I can teach part time while working. But I am also interested in CRNA, not just because of the lucrative salary, but also I think I will enjoy working on drugs, drips, etc.

I can say I'm pretty good in pharmacology. I have OK memory. I can be a type A personality sometimes, but I'm disciplined in what I do. I don't think bed side nursing is what I want. I love to teach as well. I wonder whether becoming a CRNA can teach? Financial wise, I think I can handle going to school full time without working. So what do you think it's best for me? Any suggestion/opinion? By the way, I already have a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Wow - you are really driven! That's wonderful. I am going to answer you here versus the post in the CNS thread because there aren't a lot of CNS' here.

I'm an adult health CNS who works in an NP role. Much depends on which state you practice in, what you can do. In some states, a CNS isn't an advanced practice nurse (APN) while in otheres there is no difference between what an NP and CNS can do. I currently work with a PA, 3 FNPs and me and we all do the same exact job.

As to what road to choose - I think once you get out and start working, you will run across some APNs of varying specialties and you will be able to see how they fit into your hospital system and then you can make an informed decision. By going to ICU right after graduation, you will also gain the ICU experience needed for CRNA school.

Good luck..

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Specializes in CRNA.
Hi,

I wonder whether becoming a CRNA can teach?

There are many opportunities to teach in CRNA programs, you would need to get a doctorate. While is the ICU evaluate whether you enjoy jumping into the crisis situation (would enjoy CRNA) or whether you enjoy the less dramatic situations more.

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I am also in nursing school right now (BSN program) and I am struggling with deciding between NP or CRNA. I work in an ICU right now as a nursing assistant and I absolutely love it. If I did go for NP I think I'd go for an acute care NP program. I think the DNP programs have really changed my thoughts on school also, because you can do NP part time and work part time but then you are stuck going to school for like 5-6 years part time. I think after a couple of years that would get to be a huge drain psychologically (at least for me!). CRNA school would be super hard, but at least you get it over with in 2-3 years and then you can get on with your life.

Sometimes it seems premature to think about continuing my education while I'm still in nursing school, but then I think about having to prepare for the GRE and also some CRNA schools have chemistry, physics, etc classes that I'd need to take to even apply. So you really have to plan far in advance. Anyway, I guess I don't really have any advice but I just wanted to say I'm in the same boat as you!

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Hi CheeseLover,

Thanks for responding. I know, doing CRNA is really challenging...and especially after reading some of the threads saying how tough it is. But I am not discouraged though. I think going to school part time for 5 to 6 years is really draining...I might as well suffer for two years in CRNA program and get it over within that period of time. I'm thinking of going to USC in SoCal that doesn't need a BSN (I already have a Bachelor's in Biochemistry). So I wanna start working on the GRE, take any other pre-reqs that might be required and gain two years experience in ICU before starting the program. So it's sill a long way...

Anyway, good luck to you too!

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