Trauma NP and CRNA Salary

[WrekDiver88]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knows the salary for trauma NP's and CRNA's in the SoCal area? I am currently in the Midwest but planning on moving back home to CA soon. I have been considering these two routes as the next step in my career, but before I make a choice on many more years and many more dollars for school, I would like to know what I am getting in to. I think I would really enjoy both areas even though they are so different, but am thinking CRNA would be the best choice, especially as I get older and don't want to be on my feet all the time, but I have also always had a passion for trauma (CRNA in a trauma service maybe?).

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Without having to give you actual figures, you are always going to start out getting paid higher as a CRNA. Trauma NP's are NP's typically employed by hospitals with a Trauma program. As such, their salaries will fall under hospital-specific salary scales which will be in line with other NP's in other specialties that the hospitals employ.

You may also find more opportunities for CRNA's in general compared to Trauma NP's. Trauma is such a specific NP role that only represent a smaller percentage of all NP's in general. I'm not saying that you shouldn't aspire for this role in particular but considering the whole NP market, your success in landing such a role will depend on your ability to build up a nursing portfolio that will be attractive to someone looking for a Trauma NP. That's something you don't need to do to find a job as a CRNA.

[WrekDiver88]

Thanks for the post Juan, and you made some very good points. The difficulty of getting a job in the trauma role has actually been one of my concerns (I am sure competition is tough and jobs few similar to flight), and I had figured I would have to get into a trauma residency to have a real shot at it. I think I will stick with my plan of going the CRNA route, better money, greater flexibility, a longer possible career, and a role I am sure I would love sounds like a winner to me!