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Discussion

NP vs. CRNA

I've recently returned to nursing from a totally different career and currently work in a CCU/ICU setting. My initial plans were to look at CRNA school down the road. I have run into a number of NPs or nurses working on that degree and this now also has my interest. I have a family-and not exactly young anymore- and realize that CRNA school will mean moving from our current home whereas working on my NP could be done locally. I realize that they are very different paths in some respects but I am curious if there are others that had a similar thought process and what decision they made. Thanks for your input!

Featured Replies

  • Expert

I would encourage you to shadow clinicians in both specialties and see which is more appealing to you in terms of what you want to do most of the day, most days, for the rest of your working life. The two roles are very different, as you know. I've encountered many people in nursing over the years who have taken a particular route in grad school not because it was what they really wanted to do, but because it was the most convenient/practical/affordable/whatever route for them to get a graduate degree -- but, then, once they had the degree/certification, they found that they didn't enjoy that role.

At the graduate level, you don't have the flexibility that generalist nurses do; you have to return to school to change to a different advanced practice role. You're going to put a great deal of "blood, sweat, and tears" (not to mention $$$!!) into whatever graduate degree you do get -- you might as well put in the time and effort up front to make sure that it's a degree you actually want, that will prepare you to do something you're going to enjoy doing.

Elkpark makes some very good points. Make sure you going to be happy with your choice. Talk to others and shadow both specialities. I am a new NP, but intitially thought of being a CRNA. For me I didn't want to have to be away for my family to get my degree and I wasn't thrilled about the idea of waking up to do anesthesia in the middle of the night. I wanted a job with more stable hours that was more rewarding and challenging and allowed me to directly care for patients. At this point I'm happy with my decision and I feel like I'll be able to do this well into my 60's were as a CRNA, I'm not sure. I don't do well getting woken up in my 30's, let alone a few more decades. Everyone is an individual and as long as you are happy with your choice go for it.

  • Author

thanks for the responses.....I have shadowed some CRNAs and will meet with some NPs as well. I can look forward a few years and see me doing either role although quality of life with my family-both during school and in the job- will play a big role in my decision...still thinking....

I agree, see what happens when you shadow the APNs. The two roles are so very different that once you see what each role really has to bring to the table, hopefully your decision-making process will be much easier!

If you like talking to people go the NP route. If you like your patients quiet, go CRNA, you still have to talk to patients, but not nearly as much.:D

  • Author

thanks nursetim....are you currently working in a NP role now and if so is it hospital based or more pf a primary care setting?

Not yet, I'm still looking for a job as a Board Certified Adult Primary Care NP (as of today). I've been on one interview in a private clinic and I have another in a prison clinic next week.

  • Author

thanks for the response and good luck with the job prospects....both routes still apppeal to me but there are times, like today, where the quality of life for the whole family has me thinking Nurse Practioner...do you see NP s being used more in NC in the hospital setting and did you gointo your MSN program knowing you wanted to go that particular tract?

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