SRNA to FNP

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I am currently enrolled in anesthesia school and am halfway through my program. It has finally hit me that I don't want to do this for the rest of my career. The money would be great, but money isn't everything. After some long weeks of making a decision to switch tracks, I have decided to become a family nurse practitioner. My classmates think I'm insane for making the switch but I honestly know that I have to be happy with my career.

It is my understanding that the job market for FNPs is greater today than it is for ACNPs. Is this correct? The starting salary range for CRNAs where I am in school is around $135k. I understand for FNPs it is around $80k? Is this a good average starting point?

Today I turned off my anesthesia machine and tomorrow I start learning the ropes of the FNP. Thank goodness the majority of credit hours will transfer over with the exception of my anesthesia classes.

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Honestly I would finish your CRNA then do a post masters certificate for FNP. Most schools only accept a max of 6 credits for transfer for a masters so you will be repeating classes. If you are half way done I would finish. You could proably do a PMC in 1-1.5 years compard to 2-3 for a FNP so the time would be roughly equal if you finish your CRNA.

Also a CRNA/FNP does open doors for pain management or even ICU down the road incase you want to go that route.

Yes FNP salaries can be 80-90k a year depending on where you work.

Jeremy

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Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

I understand your reasons, but I urge you to finish crna and do a post masters as stated above. This willopen alot of doors and if you want you canmake some nice side money doing locum tenens as a crna to supplement your income. You could also pay for you PMC by working some during school.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

Oh and those are accurate salaries. Why are you curious about them if it's not about the money?

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It was about the money. Today I made a list of what I liked about anesthesia....I only came up with one answer...the money it pays.

I did fine in my classes 3.96 GPA in anestheisa school and received As in clinicals. Did fine with A lines, central lines, spinals, epidurals, regional blocks, intubating/induction/maintenance/emergence. I just didn't like the stress that goes on in the operating room. I hate that I spent $50k to get to this point but it is what it is. I admire those who desire to push through and become a CRNA. Just wasn't for me. An expensive mistake for sure.

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It was about the money. Today I made a list of what I liked about anesthesia....I only came up with one answer...the money it pays.

I did fine in my classes 3.96 GPA in anestheisa school and received As in clinicals. Did fine with A lines, central lines, spinals, epidurals, regional blocks, intubating/induction/maintenance/emergence. I just didn't like the stress that goes on in the operating room. I hate that I spent $50k to get to this point but it is what it is. I admire those who desire to push through and become a CRNA. Just wasn't for me. An expensive mistake for sure.

This is SO why I did not become a CRNA. A close family member is an anesthesiologist and he told me multiple times I was making a mistake. No I wasn't! I love to sit down with my patients and talk a bit. I love knowing what they do for a living and I enjoy following up multiple times and having a real provider relationship with them. I hate a world of crashing patients, multiple lines, drips and putting out fires all.day.long. It just isn't how I'm wired.

I say do what you want right now. Life is too short to finish doing something you hate.

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I say do what you want right now. Life is too short to finish doing something you hate.

I'm not a very religious person but I will say AMEN to that!

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

Sounds like you've already made the decision???? Are you going to the same school for your FNP? I would see if you could get a dual degree awarded or do the PMC as stated. I'm not sure if you would be able to take the FNP national exam after going through just NA school??? I would suggest finishing your anesthesia program. Have you thought about working in a surgical center?

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
I just didn't like the stress that goes on in the operating room. I hate that I spent $50k to get to this point.

*** How is it that you did not realize that before you spent 50K and did all the work to get into and half way through CRNA school? didn't you learn all about stress when you where working as an ICU nurse? If you know it's not for you then don't do it and do what it is you really want to do.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

I got into anesthesia school, and started. I didn't get as far as you though, only 2 classes in. I always wanted to be a CRNA, I worked 10 years in the OR as a tech, left went into the ICU after graduating with my BSN. When I went back to the OR as an RN...I realized that I HATE the OR now! I hate my job! I decided I didn't want to be a CRNA. I belonged in the world of NP. I got so much slack from every one it was amazing! People thought I was completely nuts. But, I had to do what was right for me and my family. I think it depends on what you want and what area you want to work in. ACNP is great for critical care, especially if you have experience with lines. I think it depends on what area you live in as far as where more jobs are too. Do some soul searching. I'm now in the BSN to DNP program, (ACNP) and I love it. Yes, I think 80K is about right for most NP positions... why people give you slack for asking is stupid. Of course you need to make sure that you weigh all your options....

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My first semester of anesthesia school I knew I didn't enjoy it. I chalked it up to being fresh in the OR and the learning curve. The 2nd semester I felt comfortable doing ASA I and IIs, did them on my own but still didn't like the operating room environment. By semester 3, I was more comfortable doing big cases but still didn't like it. Deep down inside I was doing it for the money, not because I enjoyed anesthesia. I think the reason I stayed in the program for so long was because all of my classmates were telling me "You're nuts if you quit now" "You are halfway there, stick it out."

Well....they were right I was halfway there. That was it. If you hate doing something it doesn't matter how much money you get paid to do it....you are going to be miserable. I didnt want the 2nd half of my career years to be like that.

I will now graduate with a FNP next year and hopefully specialize in dermatology. I have always been intrigued with skin conditions. Anesthesia never intrigued me. It was a means to an end.

To the prior poster.....yes....I dealt with lots of stress in a Level I Trauma/Burn ICU. The stress of anesthesia is 10 times greater than anything I saw in the ICU. It is hard to describe the environment unless you are there on a daily basis. I am comfortable with my decision to leave.

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Specializes in icu/er.

i appluad your realization of what you want to do and having the guts to do it, however i think i would have chickened out and stayed the course if so close to finishing the program even if i was misserable.

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