Torn Between NP and CRNA

They are such entirely different specialities that they aren't comparable. Not even remotely.

For me it came down simply to the fact that I enjoy working with AWAKE patients! I enjoy the interaction, the patient teaching and the long-term follow-up. Most CRNA's I know tend to enjoy the fact that they don't have to deal with that kind of stuff.

Not to mention that I have NO desire to be at the hospital at all hours of the night and I'm totally thrilled to sit and drink coffee with my family in the morning and take my child to school rather than rushing off to the hospital at 0600. UGH. That would seriously get old for me.

:yeahthat: Especially about the limited patient interaction with CRNA, that puts quite a number of people off. Also, surgeries can be long and boring; people I know who have shadowed CRNAs say they read paperbacks in surgery.

I do think that the patient education aspect of the NP position can be boring, especially in primary care...like the umpteenth time you've told a patient to lose weight to control their HTN and DM.

And many NP positions require such a breadth of knowledge, it seems a bit intimidating. What if a patient came in with a bunch of vague symptoms? How would you diagnose, or even determine severity?

:yeahthat: Especially about the limited patient interaction with CRNA, that puts quite a number of people off. Also, surgeries can be long and boring; people I know who have shadowed CRNAs say they read paperbacks in surgery.

I do think that the patient education aspect of the NP position can be boring, especially in primary care...like the umpteenth time you've told a patient to lose weight to control their HTN and DM.

And many NP positions require such a breadth of knowledge, it seems a bit intimidating. What if a patient came in with a bunch of vague symptoms? How would you diagnose, or even determine severity?

Im a new FNP graduate and a well seasoned ICU RN, and a combat medic, anyway when a patient has those vague symptoms, nothing that you can pinpoint on, get some clue as to what is going on with the patient, do a good physical examination, explore the patient history even further, crack open a book and you can always use the magic R word... refer. But you illustrate why I am so interested in being a NP, I want to explore and treat those patients, they might have vague symptoms, but the ailment might be common. I remember doing clinicals in my pediatric rotation, the mother was from mexico, didnt speak any english, we had a translator, her son was sick and autistic as well. It was a challenge

This is a tough decision for many nurses who have the desire to improve themselves and move on to a more advanced level of practice. I also think it is a question of do you want to care for the "awake or the asleep" patient. That doesn't mean that it's not ok to desire both paths, but we have to choose one when working on that level. What "feels right" is also important. We do have that gut instinct, you know.

Just beginning in a ANP program, and excited about the adventure. I will have many questions for those of you who have traveled the course already.

Thanks alot for all you thoughts, This will definitely help me a decision.

So after reading this (as well as other postings here and there), I would really like to know more about the CRNA experience. It's something I definitely am looking into, but I would like more insight.

Is it that most people who go into this speciality are those who have worked bedside for a long enough time, and decided that the less patient interaction, the better their sanity?

What are the true "positives" for the CRNA role as far as everyday working experiences? Is it boring? How limited is patient interaction? Is it limited to the conversations held before adminstering anesthesia?

Honestly for me, I couldn't think of anymore more boring that sitting behind a curtain monitoring vitals. Sure, 180k a year sounds great, but it's like working in a prison: you may be at work, but you're still IN prison!

What type of nursing are you doing now? Are currently working in OR?

If so then you will have a very good idea of what a CRNA does.

They make great money and many have great hours but they are stuck in

an OR (unless they are working in a pain clinic or the like), and after an initial

chat with the patient they do not interact with them again until the PACU.

Do you like taking care of patients? Do you like talking with them? FNP certainly

will offer a greater variety of jobs but does not pay as well.

You have to decide what it is you like to do as a nurse and then build on that.

I do struggled a bit in the start when I was first deciding to go for my MSN (and I researched all except

administration, including shadowing in each area) , but in the end I chose the FNP.

I get bored easily, I actually still like talking to and taking care of patients, and I like the

challenge of each day offering something different. I fits my personality and offers the most

flexibility. I have decided that I am a generalist at heart and after a short time I would be

bored out of my head being a CRNA, though I am sure I would love the money - but money isn't

everything.

Good luck with your decision. By the way if you are thinking of applying for fall you better

get started most of the deadlines are early spring.