Nurse Anesthesia vs Pharmacy?

nonBSN · Dec 2, 2011

Cocacolah,

I too pondered CRNA vs PharmD, early in my studies. I however chose CRNA, was accepted, and will be starting CRNA school in the very near future. NOTE, my opinion is very one sided because I did little research into PharmD, since choosing the CRNA route fit my interests better. So, much of your research sounds accurate. Ask yourself: What type of setting do you want to be in? Hospital vs Pharmacy? As an ICU nurse, I work with PharmDs in the hospital and it appears that they have little patient interaction as compared to MDs, RNs, CRNAs. How much patient interaction do you want? How much hands on do you want? I like that CRNAs have more patient interaction and more technical skills (line insertion, intubation, ventilators, med admin, hemodynamic monitoring, etc...) I have never shadowed a PharmD, so I can't offer any sound advice as to how technical their job can be. But, I like all the technical and heavy science based things that CRNAs do.

As far a liability, both careers carry a fair share. If you calculate an incorrect dose as a PharmD and it is given by the RN, then there you go. A CRNA can make the same error, but they are also the one giving the med and can make a correction at the last minute.

Job security: Another reason I chose RN to CRNA. You just graduated from high school, which means I have a little over 10 years life experience over you. My experience favors RN job security. I was in a bad car accident and was unable to work in the hospital setting for a while. Being an RN offers the most diversity of any job! [ (hospital RNs- ICU, stepdown, floor, ED, psych, OB, administration, palliative care, transplant, pacer clinic, etc) , Dr office RNs, non-clinical RNs - law offices, insurance companies, etc... Also advanced practice RNs, NP, CRNA, Midwife, etc. ] You are young and may even choose another route by the end of all this (and you have the time to decide). I'm not sure, but I don't think that a PharmD has as many opportunities as the RN by comparison.

Getting into CRNA school is extremely competitive. Really! I had to defeat two other ICU nurses at my last interview with only a stethoscope and a bedpan in an extreme cage match. Luckily I'm a guy and was stronger, but those chicks were big.

Work schedule: not sure about PharmD, but a part-time CRNA with years experience can easily make GREAT money.

I'm tired of typing, hope I helped you, with this ridiculously long reply. Sorry.

cocacolah · Dec 3, 2011

nonBSN, thank you SO much for all of your help and information. I am really leaning towards the CRNA route since I have a full ride to one of the schools for nursing, and will later apply to the Nurse Anesthesia program. And if I do choose to go to pharmacy, I can just take some extra science classes and a math class in order to do so. However, I do not want to make the decision before I actually shadow a pharmacist, so I will try my best to do so within the next month. But nonetheless, thank you so much for your reply. I've been waiting for something like this for a while and am STILL looking for insights and outlooks on both careers.

allnurses Guide · Dec 3, 2011

Most new pharmacists have to complete a residency if they want to work in the hospital that will add another 12months or more of training.

cocacolah · Dec 3, 2011

If I were to go to pharmacy, I was thinking of a retail setting for a couple of years and then opening or taking over a pharmacy clinic. If that helps

allnurses Guide · Dec 3, 2011

If I were to go to pharmacy, I was thinking of a retail setting for a couple of years and then opening or taking over a pharmacy clinic. If that helps

I precept pharmacy students now at work for their surgical rotations. My understanding is if you want to work in a setting other than retail pharmacy you usually have to back for year or more of extra training. It was just one of the things I didn't know, and I don't think most people know in general so I just thought I would pass it along.

Obviously, I am partial to the CRNA route myself...

cocacolah · Dec 4, 2011

That is perfectly fine. How's the route to being a CRNA? I heard that it gets harder and harder every year to get into a school. Plus they're changing it to a 4 year Doctorate degree instead of a 2 year master's within the next 2 years.

allnurses Guide · Dec 4, 2011

That is perfectly fine. How's the route to being a CRNA? I heard that it gets harder and harder every year to get into a school. Plus they're changing it to a 4 year Doctorate degree instead of a 2 year master's within the next 2 years.

I don't think any of the schools are moving to a 4 yr program. Most of the schools will eventually be 3 yrs. The requirement for nurse anesthesia schools to move to a doctorate program is 2025 not 2015. That being said most anesthesia schools that are affiliated with schools of nursing will make the transition to doctorate level programs in the next two years. IMO getting into nurse anesthesia school gets easier every year with more nurse anesthesia schools opening every year. Nurse anesthesia programs are usually profitable for colleges/universities so there seems to be a new program opening every few months.

cocacolah · Dec 4, 2011

Oh thank goodness. I've been so self-conscious about not making it into the program after getting a BSN... I've also heard that some people who just take the 1 year RN program also getting into nurse anesthesia programs.. is this true?

And once again, thank you so much, wtbcrna. With your replies, I feel a little more confident in my choice of being a nurse anesthetist instead of a pharmacist.

And also, this forum has proven to show me that being a pharmacist may make life a little rough. As for being a CRNA, if I can't even get into the program, at least I'll have my BSN to fall back on, right?

http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/pharmacist/Don-t-become-Pharmacist/t248681

allnurses Guide · Dec 4, 2011

Oh thank goodness. I've been so self-conscious about not making it into the program after getting a BSN... I've also heard that some people who just take the 1 year RN program also getting into nurse anesthesia programs.. is this true?
And once again, thank you so much, wtbcrna. With your replies, I feel a little more confident in my choice of being a nurse anesthetist instead of a pharmacist.
And also, this forum has proven to show me that being a pharmacist may make life a little rough. As for being a CRNA, if I can't even get into the program, at least I'll have my BSN to fall back on, right?
http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/pharmacist/Don-t-become-Pharmacist/t248681

There are politics in every profession. Nurse anesthesia has over 100yrs of politics that can cause issues occasionally. There are accelerated BSN programs that you can complete in 1yr. I don't know much about them. I am military trained CRNA, so things are a little different for us.

The best suggestion that I have is to shadow both professions in different setting. Shadow a pharmacist in the hospital and retail pharmacy. Then shadow some CRNAs in an ACT practice & a non ACT (anesthesia care team) practice.

cocacolah · Dec 4, 2011

Thank you again wtbcrna. I will definitely do that.