There are a variety of career options for students interested in nursing. Two common nurse practitioner specializations are nurse practitioner (NP) and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
While there are commonalities between them, such as educational preparation through a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), the careers of NPs and CRNAs differ in many ways. They each require unique skills for success and present different job opportunities and career outlooks for the future.
Those weighing the options of nurse practitioner vs. nurse anesthetist will find this comparison helpful.
Nurse Practitioner Career Track
NPs provide primary, acute, and specialty care to patients of all ages. However, they may specialize in certain areas, such as care for adults, children, women, or psychiatric patients. It’s no surprise that Americans make more than 1 billion visits to NPs each year, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
NPs provide a range of services, including administering diagnostic tests and treatments, writing prescriptions, and providing counseling for healthier lifestyles and disease prevention. They may work in a variety of settings, such as hospitals, urgent care offices, nursing homes, and schools.
Beyond providing health care, NPs can also act as educators and researchers, conducting analysis in their fields and applying their findings to current practices.
Educational Preparation for Nurse Practitioners
Aspiring NPs must earn a master’s degree in addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in nursing and registered nurse (RN) certification.
The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) offered by Regis College prepares nursing professionals to provide advanced care in their chosen specializations.
Specialization-specific courses for NPs include:
- Primary Care of the Family: I & II
- Primary Care of Psych-Mental Health
- Sociological, Political, and Economic Perspectives in Aging
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), nurses with careers that require a master’s degree, such as NPs, earn a 60% higher median salary than nurses with just an RN certification.
Skills Practiced by Nurse Practitioners
Since NPs provide lifetime care and wellness counseling to patients of all ages, it’s crucial for them to have strong communication and interpersonal skills. They must tactfully navigate diagnoses, treatments, and a range of health issues. Compassion, empathy, and emotional fortitude can aid in delivering more effective and professional care, as well as building lasting relationships with patients.
NPs must also have strong leadership skills in their role as educator, mentor, and clinician. They must be able to manage cases and make authoritative decisions about sensitive issues in times of need.
Career Outlook and Salary for Nurse Practitioners
The average salary for NPs is $92,907, according to PayScale. Skills in specialized areas such as acute care, oncology, and cardiology can contribute to higher salaries.
As baby boomers age and retire, the demand for health care services from NPs is expected to increase. The BLS projects opportunities for NPs to grow by 36% between 2016 and 2026, adding 56,100 new jobs to the field.
Nurse Anesthetist Career Track
In looking at nurse practitioner vs. nurse anesthetist, NPs provide a broader range of care, while CRNAs are trained specifically to administer anesthesia to patients in settings such as hospitals, clinics, private practices, and doctors’ offices. According to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, roughly 53,000 CRNAs administer more than 45 million anesthetics in the U.S. each year.
Along with administering anesthesia, CRNAs can perform patient evaluations to best understand which type of anesthetic should be used. CRNAs also monitor vital signs while the patient is under anesthesia, aid patients in handling recovery and side effects, and make post-procedure evaluations.
Educational Preparation for Nurse Anesthetists
In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree in nursing and registered nurse (RN) certification, aspiring CRNAs must earn a master’s degree from a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs.
Courses cover such topics as pharmacology, physiology, professional practices, and pain management. Advanced degree programs also provide nursing professionals with clinical experience administering anesthesia.
Skills Practiced by Nurse Anesthetists
Similar to NPs, CRNAs should have strong communication and interpersonal skills for working with patients and team members. Patients must be able to trust these nurses in administering drugs that put them to sleep or ease pain. As such, CRNAs should convey compassion and empathy when explaining procedures, keeping patients calm and reducing patients’ stress before a surgery or procedure.
Career Outlook and Salary for Nurse Anesthetists
The average salary for CRNAs is $146,212, according to PayScale. Skills in specialized areas such as obstetrics, pediatrics, and emergency/trauma can contribute to higher salaries.
The BLS projects opportunities for CRNAs to grow by 16% between 2016 and 2026, adding 6,800 new jobs to the field.
Learn More
Regis College’s online Master of Science in Nursing is designed to prepare students to launch advanced nursing careers in a growing field. Such training can help nursing professionals develop specialized skills, seek higher salaries, and improve their job outlook.
Those interested in becoming NPs, for example, can choose from specializations in clinical care for families, children, mental health, women’s health, and adult-geriatric patients. Regis College gives students the credentials and confidence they need to succeed in the workforce and make an impact in people’s lives. Explore the Regis MSN program today.
Recommended Readings
Degrees Defined: What Does MSN Mean?
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner: The Road to Advanced Nursing Practice
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner vs. Family Nurse Practitioner: What’s the Difference?
Sources
American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Become a CRNA
American Association of Nurse Practitioners, What’s a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?
PayScale, Average Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Salary
PayScale, Average Nurse Practitioner (NP) Salary
Regis College, Online Master of Science in Nursing
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Registered Nurses
As a seasoned healthcare professional with an extensive background in nursing, I can confidently delve into the intricacies of the nurse practitioner (NP) and certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) career paths. My expertise is rooted in practical experience, academic knowledge, and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in the field.
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Career Track:
Nurse practitioners play a vital role in healthcare, offering primary, acute, and specialty care to patients of all ages. What sets NPs apart is their ability to specialize in areas such as adult care, pediatric care, women's health, or psychiatric care. They engage in a wide range of activities, from diagnostic tests and treatments to prescription writing and counseling for healthier lifestyles.
Educational Preparation for Nurse Practitioners:
To become an NP, individuals must pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in addition to holding a bachelor's degree in nursing and RN certification. Specialized courses within the MSN program cover topics such as Primary Care of the Family, Psych-Mental Health, and Sociological, Political, and Economic Perspectives in Aging.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights that nurses with master's degrees, including NPs, earn a 60% higher median salary than those with only an RN certification.
Skills Practiced by Nurse Practitioners:
Given their comprehensive care role, NPs require strong communication and interpersonal skills. Leadership skills are crucial for managing cases and making authoritative decisions, and traits like compassion and empathy contribute to effective patient care.
Career Outlook and Salary for Nurse Practitioners:
NPs earn an average salary of $92,907, with specialized skills in areas like acute care, oncology, and cardiology potentially leading to higher salaries. The BLS projects a 36% growth in opportunities for NPs from 2016 to 2026, adding 56,100 new jobs to the field.
Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Career Track:
In contrast, certified registered nurse anesthetists specialize in administering anesthesia to patients in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctors' offices. They play a crucial role in patient evaluation, anesthetic administration, monitoring vital signs during anesthesia, and assisting in post-procedure recovery.
Educational Preparation for Nurse Anesthetists:
Aspiring CRNAs must hold a bachelor's degree in nursing, RN certification, and earn a master's degree from a nurse anesthesia program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs. Coursework includes pharmacology, physiology, professional practices, and pain management.
Skills Practiced by Nurse Anesthetists:
Similar to NPs, CRNAs need strong communication and interpersonal skills to build trust with patients. Compassion and empathy are crucial when explaining procedures to alleviate patient stress before surgery.
Career Outlook and Salary for Nurse Anesthetists:
CRNAs earn an average salary of $146,212, with specialized skills in areas like obstetrics, pediatrics, and emergency/trauma potentially leading to higher salaries. The BLS projects a 16% growth in opportunities for CRNAs from 2016 to 2026, adding 6,800 new jobs to the field.
In conclusion, the choice between a nurse practitioner and a nurse anesthetist involves considerations of scope of practice, educational requirements, and career outlook. Each path offers unique opportunities for professional growth and impact on patient care.
