Nurse Practitioner vs Nurse Anesthetist?

Grumble88 · Mar 8, 2016

It just depends on what you want to do professionally. What fields of practice are you interested in (family, acute care, psych, etc). Do you want to spend your time talking to your patients or monitoring them while they're unconscious?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 8, 2016

I am unaware of any direct-entry CRNA programs. Admission to CRNA programs generally requires at least 2 years of ICU nursing experience in addition to stellar cumulative GPA and tip top GRE scores. Most metro hospitals have (or will be soon) only hiring BSN nurses. So--- if your heart's desire is CRNA, it will be a much tougher road with no shortcuts. This is a fact that I (and all other prospective surgical patients) fully appreciate.

I would encourage you to take the BSN route. This will set you up very nicely for a successful career launch, after which you will have a much better understanding of all the options for advancing your education.

Dyvinite, RN · Mar 10, 2016

Yes, I agree with you HouTx. There is no direct route for CRNA. For Nurse Practitioner you have to get your Masters and for CRNA you get your BSN and then have at least 1 year experience in acute care and then have to take a CRNA program to get your certificate. I'm not sure which one is the faster route. Like Grumble88 said though they are two different jobs. Both are direct patient care but the conscious factor is the big deal. Either way you need your BSN prior. Let us know what you think.

Zyprexa_Ho · Mar 12, 2016

Even if you have the option to go straight into an NP program, many will caution you against this both for your and your patient's sakes. With no experience working as a nurse you're just not going to be up to snuff to be a good NP through a direct NP program.

Grumble88 · Mar 12, 2016

Even if you have the option to go straight into an NP program, many will caution you against this both for your and your patient's sakes. With no experience working as a nurse you're just not going to be up to snuff to be a good NP through a direct NP program.

I couldn't disagree more. This argument is not based in evidence, if it was then the entire Physician Assistant field would be deemed "not up to snuff." RN experience is valuable in understanding the role of a nurse and having a broader understanding the health care system as a whole. I highly encourage any direct-entry student to work as an RN for the last two years of your program, but the role of RN and the role of NP are vastly different and RN experience is not necessary to be an excellent provider.

Zyprexa_Ho · Mar 13, 2016

I couldn't disagree more. This argument is not based in evidence

You need evidence to say that having nursing experience makes NPs better at their jobs? It's basic common sense; with more experience in the medical setting you're going to be a better provider.

Grumble88 · Mar 13, 2016

As an APRN, yes I need evidence for any professional recommendation. Also consider that time is a zero sum game, would you rather see a healthcare provider with 6 months of experience as a provider and 5 years of experience as an RN, or a health care provider with 5 1/2 years of experience as a health care provider?

Zyprexa_Ho · Mar 13, 2016

Someone with more experience being a provider is obviously going to be a better provider, but that's not what we're even talking about.

You're not going to find someone to waste their time researching this topic, because the answer is obvious. More healthcare experience in comparison to none is going to make for a better provider. There is no reason to think otherwise.

Grumble88 · Mar 13, 2016

Haha well it seems we disagree on quiet a lot and I don't think the points I'm trying to communicate are being understood, regardless this convo has strayed far enough away from the OP's topic as is