Would you rather be a CRNP?

Specialties CRNA

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So I don't mean this question to be offensive. I'm an ICU nurse getting ready to apply to CRNA school very soon and I of course have everybody in my life giving me their opinions. I'm getting a good percentage telling me that I should go to practitioner school instead of CRNA. Their perspective is that the job market for NP's are about to open up, it's more versatile and even more job satisfaction because of the provider/patient relationship that forms over time. I of course remind them that even if those things are true, they aren't compensated appropriately for their skill and service. Of course they say that the pay will increase and be more competitive as they become more of the primary care provider and expand their client base and role, etc.

I have friends in the NP program and I have friends in the CRNA program. Both suggest their personal route. I have NP friends who are in practice and some are honest enough to say that they think I should do CRNA, the compensation is adequate, work load manageable, etc. Although I've never had a CRNA tell me they wish they could be a CRNP.

I'm curious, do any of you (CRNA's) wish you had gone the path of the CRNP? If so, why?

Thanks for your input!

It does depend on what you really want out of the career. Strongly encourage shadowing your CRNA friend.

I'm an FNP working in specialty and I do love it. Going back for acute care certificate to do more. I have shadowed a few CRNAs and know that I would love it and do well. CRNA school was not in the cards for me because I was a single mom and none in the state I used to live in when it was a possibility. I wish there were someway that I could go now, having been an ICU RN for 6+ years and now with and advanced practice degree. But I just can't go back to ICU nursing for a full year, due to massive pay decrease plus the whole back-breaking work thing.

Now, I see all kinds of ads for CRNAs with like 10, 12, 15 weeks of vacation and I am almost in tears. Haha, but seriously!

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I'm laughing at my naive self at the original post over three years ago before getting involved in the field. Currently, I'm finishing my second year of a CRNA doctorate and I could never imagine being a CRNP.

Not in 1000 years would I swap CRNA for CRNP.

I would consider quickly getting my CRNP license after CRNA school just to open up outpatient prescriptive abilities (ketamine clinic) and potentially admitting patients and following them post surgery in the ICU.

Easier to just move to a state with prescriptive authority for CRNA's. That's pretty common in the upper left hand quadrant of the country.

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The mentality of the person going into anesthesia or some other advanced practice role isn't really that different. They're motivated independent thinkers that recognize something in themselves that is capable of "more". The trap is crappy training. Anesthesia kind of has some built in safe guards against that but there are some dog programs that are to be avoided at all costs. NP programs are a little more difficult to separate the wheat from the chafe. The better the training, the greater the confidence and the greater the job satisfaction.

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Which anesthesia programs are considered "dog programs"?

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Specializes in ICU.
Which anesthesia programs are considered "dog programs"?

Wolford for one. I refused to apply to a few years ago given their history...

Glad I dodged that bullet. I feel bad for the current students.

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Specializes in Gas, ICU, ACLS, PALS, BLS.

I also had the same question and the reason I decided to become a CRNA and not a NP is b/c I wanted to stay hands on and in the clinical setting. It seems like most NP's follow a doctor around and enter orders and type up progress notes, no thank you.

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On 6/9/2018 at 12:31 PM, goodgrief said:

I also had the same question and the reason I decided to become a CRNA and not a NP is b/c I wanted to stay hands on and in the clinical setting. It seems like most NP's follow a doctor around and enter orders and type up progress notes, no thank you.

100% not the case. Of course we write notes... that’s how we get paid but honestly I can do a detailed note in 20 minutes. I work along side of a MD in a 15 bed intensive care unit. We spilt the load and the admissions. I do all my on procedures intubation, lines, chest tubes, thoracentesis and more. Most days we are done by 3-5 pm. On top of that I bring in 170k salary with no overtime and mind you I obtained a masters with ZERO debt in two years.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.
On 4/27/2018 at 4:04 PM, offlabel said:

Easier to just move to a state with prescriptive authority for CRNA's. That's pretty common in the upper left hand quadrant of the country.

So glad you are happy with your career choice!

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