RN to NP to CRNA or RN to CRNA?

What are the pros and cons of RN to NP to CRNA vs RN to CRNA?

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How much time do these routes take? What's the benefit of having an NP as a CRNA? Do you not become a NP as a CRNA? I've read people talk online about how as a CRNA you can't prescribe medication like you can as an NP. I'm struggling to decide which pathway to take to get to CRNA from RN but still have the option to have a practice and prescribe medication if I prefer that over CRNA. 

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Specializes in SRNA.

Don't waste your time doing NP if your ultimate goal is CRNA. Some schools actually look down at going the NP route before CRNA because it shown indecisiveness. Don't waste your money trying to get prescription authority as a CRNA....

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Specializes in Postpartum/Public Health.

If you need a good resource on CRNA, I recommend checking this page out: https://allnurses.com/careers/certified-registered-nurse-anesthetist-CRNA-r33/?utm_source=community&utm_medium=funneling&utm_campaign=test. Also keep in mind there are a lot of different avenues for NP to specialize in. Both roles are very different, so at the end of the day it really depends on what type of work setting you prefer to work in, and what type of patient population you enjoy.

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Specializes in Nurse Mentoring & Tutoring.
Nurseinprogress24 said:

How much time do these routes take? What's the benefit of having an NP as a CRNA? Do you not become a NP as a CRNA? I've read people talk online about how as a CRNA you can't prescribe medication like you can as an NP. I'm struggling to decide which pathway to take to get to CRNA from RN but still have the option to have a practice and prescribe medication if I prefer that over CRNA. 

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Hi there! You do not have to have your NP to become a CRNA. 

If you're interested in learning how long it takes as well as what it takes to get into CRNA school (it's *very competitive*), please grab a free copy of our planning guide "8 Steps to Become a CRNA" 

Here's the link: https://www.cspaedu.com/planning

Hope this helps!! Cheering you on! 

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I'm and RN turned NP and now going to CRNA school -- wondering this myself.

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