Torn Between NP and CRNA

Published

I am torn between being and NP and CRNA, could someone in each speciality explain the advantages and disadvantages of each, do not mention the money part I already know that difference, but what about job satisfaction..

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CTICU.

Maybe take the time to do some reading at the NP and NA forums. The student NA forum in particular has a lot of info about the day to day life of a student NA.

It really depends on your personality, strengths, experience, career goals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
I am torn between being and NP and CRNA, could someone in each speciality explain the advantages and disadvantages of each, do not mention the money part I already know that difference, but what about job satisfaction..

Thanks

NP Pros:

  • part-time study easily accomplished
  • ability to work at the same time while attending program possible with part-time study
  • more variety in practice settings from primary care to acute care as well as families and kids, to adults depending on the track you choose
  • face to face interaction with patients in a provider role with lots of opportunities to have lasting provider to patient relationships
  • care is focused on head to toe problems including psychosocial aspects

NP cons:

  • variable employment opportunities, some areas have a glut
  • many, many programs and tracks to choose from, can be hard to make a decision which track or program to even choose

CRNA pros:

  • PAY! (I know you didn't want this brought up but I did anyway)
  • many job opportunities in many metro areas

CRNA cons: (just my opinion)

  • limited patient interaction, you basically put patients to sleep
  • working with "nasty" surgeons in the OR
  • full time study required in most programs making it hard to work at the same time while in school
  • few programs to choose from and very competitive to get in
  • narrow knowledge base -- peri-operative care for CRNA vs healthcare provider role for NP

I'm an NP and loving it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

: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?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
: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

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

cehck our certified registered nurse anesthetist (crna) forum foir more info.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

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!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion