CRNA vs Nurse Practitioner: What’s the Difference?

If you’re thinking about becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) or a Nurse Practitioner (NP), you may be wondering what the difference is between these two roles. It’s a big career decision, and knowing what sets these two fantastic yet different advanced nursing careers apart can really help.

In this post, I’ll break down the differences in CRNA and NP education requirements, job roles, salaries, and the kind of work-life balance you can expect.

Whether you’re new to nursing or ready to take your career to the next level, you’ll find all the key details right here to help you figure out which path feels like the right fit for you. So, let’s dive in and get you closer to that dream APRN job!

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Hello, future CRNA! Welcome back to the CSPA blog, a blog dedicated to nurses considering a career in Nurse Anesthesia.

As a practicing CRNA for nearly 10 years myself, I know first hand how daunting it can be to choose a career path in healthcare, especially when considering an APRN (advanced practice registered nurse) role. Two popular options are Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs).

I frequently see nurses and nursing students asking what the difference is between these two roles. While both careers offer you an advanced nursing practice, they have distinct differences in terms of education, scope of practice, and career outlook. Let’s explore these differences below.

CRNA vs. Nurse Practitioner: What’s the Difference?

Education Requirements

Please be aware that these are general estimates, and the exact timeframe may vary depending on factors such as your previous education and experience, the specific educational programs you choose, and any additional requirements for licensure in your state.

CRNA:

Minimum Requirement: A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree with a specialization in Nurse Anesthesia is the minimum educational requirement for CRNAs.

Undergraduate Nursing Degree: If you don’t already have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), you’ll need to complete this first. This typically takes 4-6 years including obtaining the required 1-year minimum ICU experience to apply to CRNA school.

Program Components: DNP programs typically include a combination of:

• Coursework: In-depth study of various aspects of anesthesia, including pharmacology, physiology, and patient care.
• Clinical Rotations: Hands-on experience in a variety of clinical settings, such as operating rooms, intensive care units, and outpatient clinics. You may also experience a variety of populations including pediatrics, open hear rotations and more. These specialty rotations can help you choose a specialty after graduation should you decide to pursue one.
• Research Project: A culminating research project that demonstrates the CRNA’s ability to contribute to the field of anesthesia.

Length: DNP programs typically take 3 years to complete, depending on the program.

So, in total, you can expect to spend around 8-10 years becoming a CRNA, assuming you have no prior nursing experience and need to complete both the BSN and DNP programs, plus obtain the required 1 to 2 year minimum ICU experience to meet program admission requirements.

Nurse Practitioner:

Minimum Requirement: NPs typically earn a Master’s degree in a specific nursing specialty. However, there is a growing trend towards obtaining a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, which is becoming the preferred qualification for many NP roles.

Program Components: NP programs include coursework, clinical rotations, and a culminating project.

Specialties: NPs can specialize in a variety of areas, including:

• Family Nurse Practitioner: Focuses on providing primary care to individuals and families.
• Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner: Provides care to adults and older adults.
• Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Provides care to children and adolescents.
• Other specialties: Geriatrics, oncology, mental health, and more.

You can expect to spend 6-8 years becoming an NP, assuming you have no prior nursing experience and need to complete both the BSN and NP program.

Note: While a DNP is becoming the preferred qualification for NPs, many states still allow NPs with a Master’s degree to practice. It’s important to check the specific requirements for licensure in your desired state.

Scope of Practice

CRNA: CRNAs are responsible for providing anesthesia care to patients undergoing surgery, as well as managing pain during and after procedures. They work independently and collaborate with surgeons and other healthcare providers.

Nurse Practitioner: NPs provide primary and specialized healthcare services, including diagnosing and treating illnesses, prescribing medications, and performing procedures. Their scope of practice varies depending on their specialty.

CRNA vs NP: While the average salary for CRNAs is generally higher than NPs, many factors such as location, experience, and specific role within the healthcare organization, can influence earnings.

Salary Comparison: CRNA vs. NP

CRNAs generally have higher salaries compared to NPs. This is largely due to their specialized skills and unique role within the anesthesia care team. CRNAs are responsible for providing anesthesia care, a critical component of surgical procedures. Their specialized training and expertise can command a higher salary.

Just like most careers, different regions, states and employers can cause these salaries to vary. The BLS reports CRNAs making an median annual wage of $212,650 per year, while Nurse Practitioners make a median annual wage of $126,260.

Both CRNA and NP salaries can vary significantly depending on several factors:

• Specialty: NPs specializing in high-demand areas, such as emergency medicine or cardiology, may earn higher salaries than those in less specialized fields. CRNAs may find a difference in pay based on specialty or industry.

• Location: Geographic location can also impact salary. APRNs working in urban areas or high-cost-of-living regions typically earn more than those in rural areas or smaller towns.

• Experience: As APRNs gain experience, their salaries tend to increase.

While the average salary for CRNAs is generally higher than for NPs, it’s important to note that individual salaries can vary. Many factors, such as location, experience, and specific role within the healthcare organization, can influence earnings.

Work-Life Balance

While both CRNAs and NPs can have demanding schedules, the level of work-life balance can vary depending on individual circumstances and preferences.

CRNAs

• Schedule: CRNAs can sometimes work long hours, especially during surgical procedures. They may also be required to be on call, which can impact their work-life balance. This varies by employer.

• Flexibility: Compared to bedside nursing, CRNAs tend to have more flexibility in their schedules, making the career path desirable for many nurses. Also, depending on your employer you may be able to set your own schedule, hours, even going PRN, 1099 and part time. As an example, those working in outpatient clinics or ambulatory surgery centers may have more predictable or flexible hours compared to CRNAs in the hospital setting.

• Rewarding Work: Many CRNAs find their work incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, which can help offset the challenges of longer hours and on-call shifts.

NPs

• Flexibility: NPs generally have a lot of flexibility in their work schedules; they may be able to choose their hours, work part-time, or even work from home in some cases.

• Variety of Roles: The flexibility available to NPs can vary depending on their specialty and role. For example, NPs working in primary care may have more predictable schedules than those in emergency medicine.

Ultimately, the work-life balance for both CRNAs and NPs can be influenced by factors such as:

Employer: The policies and practices of the healthcare organization can significantly impact work-life balance. I encourage you to chat with employees when job hunting to see how they like that employer.

Specialty: Certain specialties may be more demanding than others.

Individual Preferences: Some individuals may be more comfortable with demanding schedules, while others may prioritize working from home or part-time hours.

While CRNAs may face more challenges in terms of work-life balance due to their specialized role, both CRNAs and NPs have the potential to achieve a healthy work-life balance with careful planning and consideration of their individual needs and preferences.

CRNA vs NP Job Outlook

CRNA Job Outlook: The job outlook for CRNAs is excellent, with continued growth expected due to the increasing demand for anesthesia services.

Nurse Practitioner Job Outlook: NPs are also in high demand, especially in primary care and specialty areas.

Click here to read a detailed Job Outlook report from the BLS: Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners

Tips for Choosing the Right APRN Role for You

• Consider Your Interests: Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment and providing critical care? If so, CRNA might be a good fit. If you prefer a more patient-focused role, NP could be a better option.

• Evaluate Your Education and Nursing Career Goals: Assess your current education level and determine if you are willing to commit to the additional coursework required for either role. Consider your long-term career goals and how each role aligns with your aspirations.

• Shadow a CRNA or NP: Spending time observing CRNAs and NPs in their work environments can help you gain a better understanding of their roles and responsibilities. This can also give you a sense of whether you would enjoy the day-to-day aspects of each profession.
• Talk to Mentors or Professionals in the Field: Reach out to CRNAs and NPs to get their insights and advice. They can provide valuable information about their experiences and help you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

If you are passionate about providing anesthesia care and want to play a critical role in patient outcomes, becoming a CRNA might be the right path for you.

At CRNA School Prep Academy, we specialize in helping nurses achieve their goal of becoming CRNAs. Click here to take advantage of free planning & interview prep resources.

Looking for more insights? Join us inside the CSPA Community on Circle! You can connect with fellow nurses who are interested in CRNA and get more insights into how to become a Nurse Anesthetist. Join for free here: https://www.cspaedu.com/community

Stay tuned for more resources from us at CRNA School Prep Academy, and don’t hesitate to comment below with your questions. We’re here to help you succeed!

Until next time- Cheers to YOU, Future CRNA! 🙌

-Jenny MSN, CRNA and Founder of CRNA School Prep Academy

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Important Links

Join the Free CSPA Community! Connect with a network of Aspiring CRNAs, Nurse Anesthesia Residents, practicing CRNAs and CRNA Program Faculty Mentors here: https://www.cspaedu.com/community

Download our FREE 8 Steps to CRNA Planning Guide: https://www.cspaedu.com/howtocrna

Get access to application & interview preparation resources plus ICU Educational Workshops that have helped thousands of nurses accelerate their CRNA success. Become a member of CRNA School Prep Academy: https://cspaedu.com/join

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Book a mock interview, resume or personal statement critique, transcript review and more: www.teachrn.com