Should I pursue FNP or CRNA

[PoochloveRN]

Hello all,

I urgently need the advice of other nurses.

I am in my early 40's. I was accepted into CRNA school, left an ICU position of 6 years, and reloaced to another city. After 4 months in school, I was cummulatively unable to maintain the average of B (which began at grade 84)and was let go. The staff at the school was wonderful and very supportive. They asked me if I had considered NP and said I would be great at it. The director of the program even spoke to the dean of the school of nursing and I could easily transition into the FNP program. I decided to take a leave of absence and collect my thoughts. I was in a depression for weeks (it was also near the holidays so that didn't help).

Now I am trying to find an ICU position in this new city. I am torn What should I do?

Should I take an online "Transition to Nurse Anesthesia" course that reviews essential science, math, chemistry needed for success in CRNA school, reapply, interview, and hopefully be admitted again? This time I will look for a program that is 27 or 30 months long. Or should I give up this "pipe-dream" and go to FNP school and be done in 18-24 months? I am not getting any younger either. For all the nurses out there with a thought, please advise me regarding what I should do.

Thanks,

Poochlove RN

[ghillbert, MSN, NP]

Depends if you want to be an NP or a NA? I wouldn't focus on FNP if you're interested in acute care and have critical care background, either. Maybe ACNP?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Maybe some soul-searching to determine what you really want to do? CRNA and NP are completely different roles. Since you know what a CRNA does, what about shadowing an NP? Maybe a couple to see what different roles they do?

Agree that since you have already uprooted yourself, you probably have additional stress and want to make a good decision. Best wishes.

[DelilaNP]

Sounds like you are in a tough spot. The best suggestion I have is to approach this crisis in a familiar way. Even though it sounds corny I am thinking of the Nursing Process, the old S-O-A-P-I-E-R. You have just become your own patient. Start by gathering your data. Subjective: Your feelings, thoughts, work related likes and dislikes. Are you ready for/do you really want the advanced practice role? Are you happier and satisfied being a bedside RN? Objective: Consider taking some career inventories or personality tests. Definitely shadow a NP or two as suggested above. RESEARCH the jobs. They are very, very different. Don't just jump into NP school because the CRNA thing didn't go as planned. Take a little time to find your way. You have a lot of years left to work. Do you see yourself in the hospital (mostly) forever? Love the critical care environment and technology? (CRNA) or are you better at building a rapport with your patient, being a medical detective, formulating a diagnosis and plan, working in all kinds of environments from rural housecalls to acute care (NP). These questions barely skim the surface. Gather your data and once you identify a path define it under the "A". Then make your plan. I hope this helps you, no matter how corny. Keep hanging in there and take care of yourself as well as you would your patient!