Should i be a crna or np

By seizing these opportunities, RNs can broaden their skill sets, assume new levels of leadership responsibility, and continue to promote the health and well-being of their patients.

Two possible advanced positions RNs might consider pursuing are nurse practitioner and certified registered nurse anesthetist CRNA. The job outlook for both roles is promising.

In fact, the U. For RNs seeking the next step in their clinical careers, exploring the differences between the two positions may be helpful.

CRNA roles, highlighting similarities as well as distinctions. To take the next step down either career path, nurses may consider earning an online Master of Science in Nursing from Maryville University. Both nurse practitioners and certified registered nurse anesthetists belong in the category of advanced practice registered nurses.

However, each role has specific clinical responsibilities. A nurse practitioner is a nurse who has developed specialized knowledge to care for patients as a primary care provider. A nurse practitioner may work in pediatrics, geriatrics, acute care, family care, and beyond. The practice settings for nurse practitioners are numerous, including private or group practices, health clinics, and hospitals.

Some also work in rural healthcare or telehealth. A certified registered nurse anesthetist is a nurse who treats patients of all ages during surgery, safely administering the anesthetic care they need for their procedure.

Generally, CRNAs work in either hospitals or inpatient surgery centers. Some private practices that have a heavy surgical volume, such as plastic surgery centers, may also have CRNAs on staff.

When it comes to nurse practitioners vs. CRNAs, many similarities can be found between the two roles. As a shortage of primary care providers looms on our collective horizon, lack of access to primary care has the potential to get much worse.

And, unfortunately, the South is going to be the most heavily impacted. Want to enroll in a family nurse practitioner program, but not sure where to start? This list offers a comprehensive look at affordable online nurse practitioner programs. Ever thought of becoming a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner? Here's a list of online psychiatric nurse practitioner programs for nurses considering this career.

Interested in a nurse practitioner career? Explore this guide to discover the steps to become an NP, including required education and credentials.

Find the right program for you and advance your education with an online degree. Top Online Programs Explore programs of your interests with the high-quality standards and flexibility you need to take your career to the next level. 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? Has 44 years experience. Mar 5, Honestly for me, I couldn't think of anymore more boring that sitting behind a curtain monitoring vitals.

Sure, k a year sounds great, but it's like working in a prison: you may be at work, but you're still IN prison! Sign In Register Now! Search Search. Specialties NP. Register to Comment. Prev 1 2 3 Next. A CRNA must earn a master's degree or doctorate in nursing anesthesia and then meet their state's licensing requirements in order to practice as a CRNA.

Responsibilities for a CRNA include:. An NP is a nurse practitioner, an advanced nursing professional. In order to earn an NP certification, a nurse must earn either a master's or doctorate degree in nursing.

A nurse practitioner often earns certification on a specialty track, such as adult or pediatric primary care, gerontology or psychiatric care. Responsibilities for a nurse practitioner may include:. Related: How to Become a Nurse Practitioner. Both a certified registered nurse anesthetist and a nurse practitioner are key members of a medical team and have many responsibilities. There are several key distinctions between the two that merit consideration when deciding which career path to choose for an advanced nursing degree:.

Both an NP and CRNA certification presently require the same level of education, with a candidate earning a master's degree from an accredited institution before applying for the credential.

While both programs require the same level of study, CRNA programs are often more competitive due to fewer schools offering the program. It is common for nurses working as advanced practitioners to specialize their skills during advanced study. This allows a nurse to focus their education on a specific set of skills and responsibilities so they can perform them at a higher level.

The CRNA certification represents a specialization in anesthesia care, while many NPs opt to pursue a specialty such as oncology or pediatrics.