Question: FNP to CRNA?

[butterflyeffect]

I will be starting a Family Nurse Practitioner program in the Fall of this year. My school I will be attending offers a post professional certificate to become a CRNA. My question is based on your personal experience or personal knowledge how should I go about proceeding to become a CRNA after I get done with my FNP? Should I do the post certificate, should I try to go onto a DNP with a specialty in anesthesia, should I work part time in an ICU while finishing up my FNP (the school allows you to finish up your masters on a part time basis after the first year when you get your RN...it is a direct entry program that is three years long...RN first then the master's portion) and then apply to a CRNA program?

I definitely want the FNP so I do not want to drop that to go for the CRNA...I have just been doing a lot of research on the CRNA and find it to be very interesting...I am not set on the CRNA yet but just wanted to find out what paths would be available to me after getting my FNP should I want to pursue the CRNA. Thanks!

[core0]

To my knowledge there is no requirement to practice a certain number of hours to maintain your certification as a FNP. At least in California.

The requirement is not a state requirement but from the certifying agencies. For example the ANCC:

1. Meet the professional development requirements (refer to "Special Requirements" in sidebar at right),
   AND EITHER:
2. Have 1,000 hours of nursing practice in the area of certification specialty, unless stated otherwise (refer to "Special Requirements" in sidebar at right for any exceptions)
   - OR -
   
3. Retake and pass the certification examination (all exams must be taken prior to your current expiration date to maintain uninterrupted certification)

So if you do not work as an FNP for example, you have to retake the exam every five years to maintain certfication. I believe this is what the other poster was referring to.

David Carpenter, PA-C