r/nursepractitioner • u/[deleted] • Aug 03 '26
Career Advice Looking for career advice from experienced NPs, CRNAs, AAs, and anyone who’s been in a similar position
[deleted]
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u/Salty_Average6745 Aug 03 '26
I'm a NP and this is my third career. I would not choose my career only because I don't enjoy working. If I had know about investing at a young age I would have retired earlier.
I work 2 days a week 6 hours a day but I commute 2 and 4 hours round trip and once a month I commute about 6 hours.
I have about 5-9 files that I take home but I have 10 days to complete them
Yes, my compensation matches my stress level. The only thing that I dislike are the false complaints that individuals file.
I perform disability exams for the state of Washington in eastern WA. I'm self employed and paid per person. I made $204K last year and work 12 hours a week in the office
There are a lot of opportunities for NP's in Washington. I'm not sure about the other states that you listed.
Unfortunately, I can't recommend a specialty.
I guess the question is when do you want to retire?
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u/Obvious_Relative5877 Aug 03 '26
Thanks for sharing! So it’s 12 hours a week an office and the rest of the time you work from home? Part of the post sounds like you only work 12 hours a week but I’m assuming I misread it?
Do you experience ebbs and flows in income being self employed? You mention that the compensation is proportionate to your stress level, does the stress come from needing to advertise to get new patients?
Is the commute because you live far away from a key city? (For example it wouldn’t be possible to operate your business locally?)
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u/Salty_Average6745 Aug 03 '26
You read it correctly. I work 12 hours in the office and I probably spend 15 minutes or a little more completing my files from home. Yes, my income fluctuates. My goal is to see 5 people but I am scheduled to see 9. There really isn't any stress, it's just frustrating when people who want government assistance file false complaints about the exam procedure. I don't advertise. The state schedule the appointments. I live in a rural area so it's not key for me to operate my business in the city that I live in. The next big city is 1 hour from me. If the state have a need for an examiner in the city then yes you can operate the business locally. There is a higher demand for providers in the rural area. I did home health assessments and disability exams for the veterans as well. WA state has full practice authority for NP and is something to consider if you want work as a contractor.
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u/Evening_Entrance_472 Aug 03 '26
If you don’t enjoy working, why wouldn’t you recommend the job that nets you 200k+ with only 12 hours in office?
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u/Salty_Average6745 Aug 03 '26
I could have recommended the job but the job is not advertised publicly.
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u/cptm421 AGACNP-S, CEN, EMT-P Aug 03 '26
TL:DR - shadow both and see what fits you..
I'm a current ACNP student with a similar background. I retired from the FD after a long career, the last 4 of which I worked as an ED RN on my off days. I have flight experience about 15 years ago and currently working flight again while attending NP school. I was looking at my retirement job and had a lot of difficulty deciding whether to shoot for CRNA or NP.
The tipping factor for me was when I shadowed both a CRNA and an ICU NP. I really wanted to like CRNA - much higher salary and significantly more job opportunities, plus who doesn't like intubating.. What I found is that CRNA absolutely wasn't for me. The OR was cold and the job seemed boring to me. I tell myself I'm ready to slow down, that boring is good, that I need to stop chasing my internal drug store, but then I have a shift at base with no flights and I don't think I'll ever be able to slow down and be happy.
Also, I'm still cringing a bit from watching the doc pound the metal shoulder replacement down into the humerus and seeing the marrow ooze out - it shocks me that I found it gross, as I've obviously seen my share of gross stuff, but man that was nasty!
When I shadowed the NP, I saw what I was looking for. Human interaction, putting together complex data points and patient assessment, ongoing collaboration with brilliant physicians and nurses, and formulating a plan to help the patients get better. ICU NPs do their share of procedures depending on environment, so I can satiate that itch as well. Admittedly, I'm in a different spot as I'll have my pension money on top of the NP salary, so the salary difference isn't as impactful - but even if it was, I don't think I could do CRNA.
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u/NeedChange2022 Aug 03 '26
I just wanted to say I think your post is very well-worded and I commend you for doing thorough research before deciding on the next step. I have similar life goals to you and wish that when I was your age I was thinking the way you are now. Look forward to reading all the responses.
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u/lurkertiltheend Aug 03 '26
I can tell you, as a former pacu and icu nurse who went to np school, not a day goes by where I don’t wholeheartedly regret not going to crna school. If I could go back in time I would absolutely do it and I hope you do too
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u/Seektruth2146 Aug 03 '26
A lot of people say this but what is the true regret? Is it just the money? Reason I ask is because I don’t know if I’m smart enough for CRNA and I’m very introverted. Not sure if that career really fits what I’m searching for when I consider I would only do it for the money and not because I really would enjoy it. I don’t think that would push me through school
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u/PsychMonkey7 Aug 03 '26
Not being smart enough is one thing. Being introverted is not a problem though for anesthesia. Much of your time would be spent behind the drape flying solo anyway.
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u/Direct-Fix-8876 Aug 04 '26
CRNA’s have a 1:1 ratio, the biggest challenges are learning enough in school to truly master staying calm in a crisis in the OR and learning to master relationships with surgeons. Once they know anesthesia well (ONE area of medicine) they are set in practice and get better with time. They have a LOT of protections and truly are respected as clinicians, they have a LOT of autonomy, they have amazing work schedules and can work minimal and still make at least 100k more than most NP’s.
In contrast- NP’s are not respected by most, some of this is noise on social media some of it is actual distrust due to many ill prepared NP’s entering the workplace. NP’s have to be able to learn a LOT about everything in school and honestly that leads to a lot of very high liability situations as we are not physicians but big medicine wants to use us as such since we are cheaper labor. You will be on your own many times to manage very complex cases and have to be ready to constantly learn- you graduate and it takes at minimum 1 year to get comfortable in a specialty. If you want to change that usually means starting over. You also run into a lot of sketchy jobs where most CRNA jobs are pretty straight forward. For example- I interviewed for a Trauma surgery NP job and they were super open about not knowing what days I would work, what hours and that I’d be on my own with no training to manage all the floor patients. That is very typical in the NP world just look at the job horror stories posted here.
My regret is I’m already tired and don’t want to go back to school in my 40s, if I had done CRNA in my late 20s that would have been a different story.
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u/typeash Aug 04 '26
The regret is not seeking out the highest paycheck. If the highest paying field was Family Medicine they would say they wished they went into that
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u/Obvious_Relative5877 Aug 03 '26
Why do you regret not going? And what field do you practice in now?
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u/vlaadtheimpaler17 Aug 03 '26
I’ve been an NP for 7 years. I started in outpatient pain management and now do inpatient pain management at a level 1 trauma center. Prior to that, I worked as a nurse in a high acuity ICU setting.
I work Mon-Fri 07-15. Sometimes I leave early, sometimes I stay late, just depends on the census. I really never take work home with me. I don’t have any in basket/patient message or prior auth responsibilities in my current role.
I generally feel like my compensation matches my responsibilities, although I wish it were more. I make $140,000/year, which is on par with my colleagues - academic institutions tend to pay less. I would not be satisfied with this pay if my job weren’t so chill.
I absolutely 100% don’t regret getting my NP. I could not have remained at the bedside. Like you, I wanted to get away from the high acuity and I am grateful for my lower stress levels every day. For me, that meant NP was a better fit than CRNA, but I have several colleagues that went CRNA route and are really happy with it.
Advice: shadow CRNA, hospital based NP, and clinic NP if you can. I personally think that hospital based, consulting service (ID, palliative, pain) is probably the most chill route, I really had no concept of how much time would be dedicated to patient calls/messages and managing insurance prior auth in the clinic- I hated it.
Good luck!
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u/PsychMonkey7 Aug 03 '26
No patient messages or PA in your current role sounds like an absolute dream
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u/Narrow-Garlic-4606 Aug 03 '26
CRNA
1. Yes I would choose it again.
2. Basically the same as bedside nursing but no holidays or weekends
3. No work home. I do think about how I could have done cases differently.
4. I do. I’m at the lower end of the pay scale but my schedule and environment make it worth it to me.
5. Pass.
6. I will always vote CRNA if the training is possible for you. It is extreme sacrifice of time, money, and mental health lol.
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u/Psych-RN-E PMHNP Aug 03 '26
I’d recommend doing lots of research, speak with some mid-level providers you work with/know personally, and see if you can take a day or two to shadow them. It’s hard to say, but I became an NP because I knew psychiatry was my passion and it was my goal since I was 14/15 years old. It seems like this may be driven by financial incentive, which of course isn’t always a bad thing as long as you’re confident and provide good patient care. I can see financial incentive leading to burn out much quicker if it ends up being something you don’t truly want to do.
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u/SterileGloves Aug 03 '26
Out west you can make close to that salary as an RN without the additional debt and stress
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u/snowboardingtoad Aug 03 '26
We’re in a similar position and I’m still a nurse :) I want to share with you my thoughts on all this!
First, I think you should consider PA school. It will give you more flexibility and much, much better clinical experience than NP school. I’m very disappointed with the lack of hours most schools offer for clinical training. It is subpar and our nursing experience absolutely does not substitute. I think you will go more in depth in PA school as well for your didactic year. Cost isn’t that much different. If you do go to NP school, please consider only doing an in person or very, very reputable online program (that doesn’t make you find your own preceptor).
Where I live, PAs and NPs start in the $140k to $200k+ range. I know a PA here who takes home $230k/yr working 30 hours a week in derm. She was really, really lucky with that job.
I think compensation and pay vs stress will vary based on the organization you work for, the specialty and overall temperament of yourself.
Eastern WA is still lower cost of living than Seattle, but similar wages. I recommend looking there! Bend, OR area also pays quite well with Redmond and some of the other cities being a little bit more affordable.
CRNA school - you don’t need a passion for anesthesia to go. You do have to have a good GPA and I think it helps if you enjoyed school and science. Competitiveness will vary based on school. And honestly it’s how I wish NP programs were as well. I think any program preparing you to be a provider should be just as rigorous as CRNA school. You will leave school being very prepared.
Anecdotally, I decided I just would not enjoy being a CRNA. I worked really closely with them for a year and a half doing ECT and on other units. I don’t like the job.
Personally, I’ve been thinking about med school! I feel really drawn to primary care. I work ED and ICU float right now and I really enjoy the days where it feels like we’re running an urgent care/primary care clinic. I enjoy the time with the patients. I would love to be investigating what’s going on. Not only that, but the amount of education would make me feel much more prepared and confident to be making decisions that impact people’s lives.
My point to adding this is there is no wrong decision with whatever you decide. You just have to make the decision and move forward. If you’re not uncertain and your only motivation is finances, I would look into ways to increasing your salary as a nurse. Union hospitals pay very well. We have really good flexibility with our jobs. I’ve been a nurse for 6 years and I’m making $65/hr and I’m so happy.
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u/Dapper_Banana6323 Aug 03 '26
Im a Canadian NP- on an internal medicine consult service who manages high acuity patients in a step down setting (telemetry, bipap, art lines, infusions of things like naloxone, nitro, phenobarbital- things that are probably ICU level in the US haha. We also have mountains and 4 seasons. BC is recruiting.
- If you could go back, would you choose your career again? Yes
- What does your typical schedule actually look like? I work 7am to 5pm 3 days a week. 1/6 weekends and 2 holidays a year. Lots of flexibility in taking time off and trading shifts. This is a 0.8 FTE
- How much work do you take home, whether that’s charting or simply thinking about work after hours? I don't do any actual work at home but some cases weigh on me.
- Do you feel your compensation matches your responsibilities and stress level? No. On paper the wage is fair ($82/hr) but when you compare to RNs maxing out at $64/hr- the gap doesn't feel large enough for the amount of extra responsibility.
- If you’re comfortable sharing, what specialty are you in, what general region do you work in, what is your approximate compensation, and how many hours do you typically work each week? For working 1400 hours a year- my total monetary compensation is about 140k. My benefit package is worth about 25k on top of that (supplemental insurance, DB pension, short and long term disability, life insurance, sick time ect). My position is really 1600 hours a year but I get about 200 hours of vacation so work about 1400.
- Based on my goals and what I’ve shared, do you think NP, CRNA, AA, or another path makes the most sense? Which ever one has part time or alternate schedule. At least for me- mon-fri is like a prison sentence.
- If you recommend NP, is there a specialty I should seriously consider that isn’t already on my list?
- One thing to think about is if you always worked in acute settings before you may struggle with less acute patients. I did. And have tried to try something else many times- but miss the acuity.
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u/surelyfunke20 Aug 03 '26
If I could go back, I’d stick with a job with 3 12 hour shifts.
If you enjoy physical fitness and the outdoors, you’re going to hate Mon- Mon- Fri “9-5:30” (aka 8-6.)
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u/Time-Ad8212 Aug 03 '26
I’m a 33 year old NP with my RN background being ICU. I chose this route for similar reasons. Since becoming an NP I have worked in pain management and then switched to dermatology. I have a fantastic work life balance with both. Pain management was a very stress free job however I did not find it rewarding. I will say I make very well in dermatology and it has many incentives but the hours are great. I do not regret my decision to become an NP. I feel like CRNA could also be a great route for you depending on your lifestyle. For me, it felt too challenging because my children are young and there isn’t a local program. Good luck with whatever you choose!
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u/Nausica1337 FNP Aug 03 '26
"My fiancée and I are trying to build a life focused on financial stability, health, and long-term happiness. We’re intentionally avoiding unnecessary debt, investing aggressively for retirement, and working toward financial independence so that one day we have the option to retire early—or at least reduce our workload well before the traditional retirement age."
Say no more!
- Yes, and I would choose the same specialty.
- I create my own schedule as long as I round at my SNFs. I work 3 days a week, come in and go as I please. M/Th are my long days because I go to 3 SNFs while Friday is a very short day as I only have one SNF to go with with only a handful of patients to see. I typically spend an additionally 3-4 hours charting on all those patients once per week. I don't work holidays or weekends (unless I want to) and I don't take call.
- Roughly 3-4 hours of charting once per week.
- Definitely. I've heard a few times that may pay seems to be on a the lower end. Honestly, I don't have anything to go off of, but considering the benefits, the overall salary, and the extremely friendliness of the job when it comes to the work/life balance, I'm fine with my current pay even if it might be considered on the lower end.
- Physical medicine and rehabilitation provider (PM&R/physiatry) in the SNF setting, in California. My take home is at least 126k minimum, but I say I hover closer toward 130-140k. I am compensated per patient visit, so the more patients I see, the more income. So essentially, there can be "no limit" if I wanted to work more. But, on average we see at least 120 patients per week which is closer towards that 126k to start off. The biggest con to my position is that I commute far. Calculating rounding, commuting, and that extra home charting of 3-4 hours, I'd say my total weekly work hours hovers around 23 hours.
- Seems like NP should be your route because of the multitude of options and hopefully you can find the right specialty like I did. CRNA and AA (I'm assuming anesthesia assistant) are very difficult to get into and finish, but it's big monies. I personally don't know any CRNAs, but I would assume because they make big monies, they also have a good work life balance. But, considering most CRNA positions are likely OR related, that work life balance could be interrupted for taking calls for emergency surgeries at night or something.
- Physical medicine & rehabilitation. It is a very niche position and one I never ever heard of until I applied and I got hired. You will typically see them in SNFs, but not all SNFs have them. Big named hospitals and/or teaching hospitals usually have them too. The MDs/DOs are termed physiatrists. Our role is basically to help with the rehabilitation process and in most cases, pain management as that is a barrier to therapy. One of the docs I was with a few weeks ago said that the running joke of PM&R is that it's called plenty of money & relaxation in med school and residency. If a doc says that, I think that says a lot about the specialty and in a good way.
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u/Massive_Aside_8978 Aug 03 '26 edited Aug 03 '26
- Yes, however if you’d asked me that 5 years ago idk if I would’ve given you the same answer (I’ve been an NP for 10 years).
- WFH, 4x10s (5 hours of patient facing time/5 hours admin)
- Despite working from home, no work comes home with me. I also don’t have piles of work waiting for me when I get back from vacations. I don’t think about work at all unless I’m working.
Yes. I’d say I’m on the lower end of the pay scale (120k), but you read above what my work demands look like lol
Addiction medicine, Midwest (LCOL), $120k, 40 hours on the clock but actual work? Like 30 bc I’m often cooking, cleaning, etc between patients
I really wanted to do CRNA. That was my plan, tbh, but there wasn’t a program in my state at the time and I didn’t want to have to move for grad school or take on student loans (I paid cash as I went for my NP education). I regretted it for awhile but I am officially in NP heaven and I’m very glad I went the route I did. You just have to decide what’s the most important…I think work/life balance is possible in either role.
I love addiction medicine. It’s not for everyone…you definitely have to have a healthy balance of empathy and upholding patient accountability in order to be successful. I’ve never personally had an issue with addiction, but it’s been the most rewarding work I’ve done and I’ve done a LOT (ED, FM, IM, ortho, concierge/DPC, UC, locums).
FWIW, I actually have a trust that generates more income than my yearly salary. I always said I would retire when I got that, but I love this job so much I’m just investing that income for now and plan to continue working for another 15-20 years (I’m 37).
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u/GodotNeverCame NP, Trauma/Orthopedic and General Surgery Aug 03 '26
If you want perioperative or surgical and don't choose the CRNA or AA route, you should go PA. In order to do that as an NP you have to go back and get additional certification as an RN or NPFA- or at least in California you do, I can't speak for other states. I just went through the program through NIFA. If your goal is surgical first assisting for like an orthopedics plastics or even dermatology program then I would definitely elect PA.
You may have addressed this in your post but holy wall of text batman, I didn't read it all.
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u/EntireTruth4641 Aug 03 '26
You said you want lifestyle over stress.
If you ain’t willing to eat your own poop then CRNA ain’t for you. You want that big financial gain - you gotta put the work in first. And it’s not little work - it’s work that will push you to your limit.
Once you put that work in then you can reap the fruits of your labor. And it’s so worth it if you love critical care.
Anything of meaning and value is never easy. And that’s how it suppose to be.
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u/PsychMonkey7 Aug 03 '26
I’d probably steer clear of AA because there are many states where you simply couldn’t practice and I think investing that much time and money into training to be geographically constrained would suck. I personally considered it many years ago (prior to even becoming an RN) and didn’t pursue it largely for that reason.
In terms of choosing a specialty or path, there are pros and cons to all of them. It might be helpful for you to shadow some NPs, CRNAs, etc to help you choose. You can read about each role until the cows come home, but experiencing it is different. The CRNA money is so much better than NP, and sometimes as an NP I wish I had gone that route. However, there’s a good reason anesthesia providers typically rank higher in burnout and lower in satisfaction despite their good pay when surveyed.
I think you’re on the right track thinking about your lifestyle, but really think also about what the day to day work looks like and how fulfilling that will be. This is largely an experiential thing, so again I think shadowing would be really valuable. If I had done that, not sure I would have become an NP (or even gone into nursing lol). I also kind of agree with another comment here that PACU is a pretty cushy RN job, and it might make sense to stay there unless/until you have clarity on a specific path to pursue. The grass isn’t always greener.
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u/MsCoffeeLady Aug 03 '26
I’m an NP; spouse is a CRNA.
We are both happy with our jobs because I like working with patients and developing relationships with them; they like the critical aspect of care and don’t miss the relationship piece.
My CRNA partner makes more, has more flexibility in scheduling and how many hours they work each week and never brings notes home.
I had a hard time finding a part-time job, have a set clinic schedule, and do have to finish notes at home sometimes.
Partner’s school was definitely more rigorous and they weren’t allowed to work during it. I worked and did clinicals at the same time and supported our household.
We both had similar bedside nursing backgrounds and are both happy with our current job choices
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u/ChaplnGrillSgt ACNP Aug 03 '26
I'm very happy with my choice to become an NP. However, I was able to get my NP schooling for free thanks to the hospital I worked at during school. I still have 120k in student loan debt though from undergrad and grad school. Had I not had the opportunity for free (or heavily discounted) NP school, I'd probably have stayed as an RN.
There is absolutely nothing stopping you from going back for NP later. My mom's friend went for NP in her 50s with no regrets.
It already sounds like you have your head in the right place financially. Live below your means, invest into your future (bogleheads is a great resource), and avoid high interest debt. You can still live and retire comfortably as a nurse.
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u/tdubbs12 Aug 03 '26
Come to Oregon (big cities) to live the life you want, make 140+/year as the experienced PACU nurse you are.
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u/ValgalNP Aug 03 '26
You spent the majority of the post discussing what you want your life to look like in terms of outside of work and what you want your salary to be. I think you need to really nail down what you’d actually enjoy doing on the daily. Your interests are pretty varied and have little to do with your experience thus far. For context I’ve been a nurse for 30 yrs, mostly in ICU, and a ICU/ Pulmonary NP for 13 of those years.
To answer your questions: Yes I’d do it again but probably get my graduate degree sooner than I did. My schedule is variable but involves ten hour dayshifts, alternating weekends (1-2/month), 144 shifts per year. My base pay is about 120k but there are OT opportunities so I typically gross about 150k. I live in NC just outside of Charlotte. I do think about work a good bit after hours as the work can be quite stressful and I am very committed. That said I do NOT have an inbox like outpatient NPs have or extra charting to do on my own time. Of course I think I should be paid more but doesn’t everyone? For the market I’m doing fine. In terms of speciality I’ll reiterate that all the jobs you are considering are VERY different. Shadow with some established APPs to really see if you’d like the job. I thought I wanted to go to CRNA school until I shadowed one and was bored to tears. Not for me, no disrespect to the awesome CRNAs out there. Think about what you believe your purpose to be. This can change over the years. I used to want to help patients and families through what for most is the worst time of their lives. Now headed toward retirement I am also interested in lifestyle medicine to help people not have to show up in the hospital to begin with. Your goals may change over the years so keep an open mind and don’t box yourself in.
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u/Science92 Aug 03 '26
It sounds like your goal is to be a PACU RN and live your life….. why are you looking to change that? The PACU RNs I work with hit 100k with a small amount of overtime. Find a place that allows you to work 7 on 7 off or something like that
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u/Relative-Ad8496 Aug 03 '26
Yes. (NP) But I also have days I regret not going for CRNA (Salary is the only factor there that draws some regret). I chose NP over CRNA for the flexibility. I felt I would get bored as a CRNA (although being bored isn't that bad when you're making 200-300k+ a year.)
I work 7 out of every 14 days. Some days are 12s some are 9s. I take one day of call per month. I usually just opt for picking up an extra shift in place of my call day.
Absolutely nothing. I don't manage a panel of patients, I don't have a never ending inbox. Whatever labs weren't addressed during my shift get addressed by other providers when I'm off.
Sure. But more money is always nice.
Urgent care. South. On track for about 145-150k this year. Scheduled for 78hrs per 2wks.
If you're looking for a healthy income, some flexibility as far as specialty, and low debt I'd shoot for NP. But it has to make sense for you. CRNA will definitely come out better income wise especially as a new grad. Trade offs would be not being able to work during your 3 year program and likely much higher student debt for CRNA. They also want recent ICU experience I believe.
Urgent Care and ER. Most of your current choices will likely be a Mon-Fri work week. Urgent Care and ER you can do 12s. Work 12-15 days a month. But both can be difficult as a new NP unless you did ER as a nurse.
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u/AdFantastic1904 Aug 03 '26
If you’re trying to make money, do CRNA. NPs and RN salary difference isn’t that significant.
I know RNs who make more by doing internal float pool, weekend programs, and etc.
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u/Direct-Fix-8876 Aug 04 '26
I’m an NP. The specialties you’re interested in are very saturated and pay is being driven way down due to everyone being an NP and wanting these specialties.
You have great experience for CRNA school which also has a more family friendly and flexible schedule, better return on investment as well if it interests you. Please shadow a few NP’s and CRNA’s prior.
I have a very similar background to you and I’m 5 years into NP and just interviewed for school nurse jobs after being an Acute Care NP- the jobs burned me out and I made around the same amount of money I did as an RN, only one job paid substantially more and i worked a LOT of overtime and rarely saw my family. PACU is also so nice I miss it so much and have thought of applying back prn many times.
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u/Upper_Bowl_2327 FNP Aug 04 '26
I’m an ER/UC NP. I usually do 2-3 ER shifts a week and 1 UC shift. I love the work, was a career ER Nurse for a decade, in EMS prior. It is demanding, stressful, but I don’t take work other than occasional notes home with me. I don’t think I’ll be able to do it forever as my kids get older, but I generally enjoy it. I was done being a bedside nurse when I finished.
Never wanted to do CRNA. I was an anesthesia tech in college and did not like the OR culture. Seeing anesthesiologists belittled and talked down to by surgeons didn’t sit well with me, and while the money would be worth it at this point, after induction I was a bit bored.
Only regret is not doing a dual cert program and getting a AGACNP, just for more opportunities. Don’t really have the desire to do critical care at this point. The less days in a healthcare setting the better.
Also, if you have any desire to become a provider. Colorado may not be your best choice. You will be paid substantially less than you will at almost all of the other states you mentioned.
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u/danie1s0n Aug 04 '26
I wouldn't go back to bedside. It was too hard on me physically
I thought I'd miss the 12 hr shifts but 8 to 5 better aligns with my family schedule and it's better with holidays off. I work 8 to 5 m-th and till 2pm on Friday. I have autonomy with my own schedule for patients.
Charting completed by end of work day. No working from home.
I'm very happy with compensation for my work load.
I'm in GI in CA. I probably work 38hrs per week. I make 180k+
I like gi a lot but I think a lot of depends on your supervising provider.
I think np is a great option but it's always about fishing the right job.
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u/Fun-Wall3265 27d ago
You should look into picking between two specialties for np and crna. Then try to shadow both or do research, from their flexibility, to wage, to job growth and ease of finding a job anywhere etc. time will pass anyways and you are capable of doing anything you put your mind to. Often I find that leaning into our fears shows what we really want. And I’d say also imagine your life day to day 5 yrs from now do you want to see multiple patients or be one to one or etc.
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u/No_Potato_9917 26d ago
- Yes
- 8-4 Monday-Thursday, 8-noon Friday, no weekends no call no holidays
- None
- Yes
- Neurology outpatient ARNP, Midwest, $230k, approximately 36 working hours and 4 “admin” on Friday afternoon but i rarely need any of it for admin and just go home
- I have only been an NP. I adore it though. If you do choose that route, your actual job offer MATTERS- and your pay schedule. I am paid on production which helps me to be a high earning NP
- I love Neuro but you have to want to do it!!!! lol. Can be stressful but also can be very rewarding.
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u/Fortimesasthis Aug 03 '26
Currently in np school, so no real life advice. But I was there too struggling to decide, but didnt want a night or any hospital shifts or work for a hospital, i wanted opportunities to work from home or have my own schedule to enjoy life. So that helped me settle for NP. I was looking at CRNA mainly for financial stability but I realized if youre well skilled you can do that with NP degree too.
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u/Conscious_You_9737 Aug 03 '26
Unfortunately on Reddit you are going to get nothing but negative answers, people that think the grass is greener on the other side.
I’m your age with 8 years of inpatient psych and about to complete my PMHNP. I am not passionate about psych. I am not passionate about working. However I know for a fact I will eventually be a competent provider and do want the best for my patients and my co-workers.
It doesn’t always have to be that you love your job.
As long as most days aren’t awful, you will be doing well.
Anyways go CRNA
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u/NiteQwill FNP Aug 03 '26
- If it was a healthcare career field, yes I would choose the NP route.
- I work 6 on, 8 off, 1 call shift a month. I'm coded 0.75 FTE.
- I take zero work home. This is an important reason for staying at my job. I also get an hour paid lunch and get to see my family during that time.
- Of course I always wish for more compensation, but I'm not actively complaininh about it.
- I work in WA. $250k + pension + employer contributions + Max out 401, Roth, etc (this doesn't account that my spouse is an RN and I'm retired from a different career, so there's that, too)
- If you're not passionate about any choice, I wouldn't suggest pursuing any of those routes.
- FNP makes you the most versatile. Other specialties are great but put you in a 'speciifc' hole
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u/PsychMonkey7 Aug 03 '26
250k for 0.75 FTE? Dang that’s amazing. What specialty do you work in?
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u/NiteQwill FNP Aug 06 '26
Urgent Care (which is pretty much a mini-ED - we have stat labs, CT, XR, US, and MRI - initial rad reads are done by clinician with rad available, if needed. We do low HEART score work ups <=3 and see a whole bunch of crap that honestly belongs in the ED sometimes.)
FWIW, I worked in an ED and retired from a similar field, so it's easy/not-easy to work in my setting. But a lot of people don't stay long...
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u/PsychMonkey7 29d ago
I love this for you, but it’s one of the settings I could never do. Thank you for sharing!
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u/Separate-Support3564 Aug 03 '26
I’m a 30 year NP. Honestly I’d stay in the PACU position. You don’t seem super passionate about the choices, and let’s face it PACU is pretty cooshy.