Wondering whether to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist (CRNA), nurse practitioner (NP) or physician assistant (PA)? Read on to learn more about each profession and to discover the ideal fit for you.

<p>
  If you know that you want to become an advanced practice provider (APP), but
  you haven&rsquo;t yet decided which role &ndash; CRNA, NP or PA &ndash; is
  ideal for you, we&rsquo;re here to help!
</p>

<p>
  Committing to a career path can be intimidating for anyone. But for those who
  want to become healthcare providers, the decision can feel even more
  challenging since the required degrees, clinical hours, licensure and
  certification are highly specific and a major commitment.
</p>

<p>
  The great news is, if you do a little research and approach this decision
  strategically, you&rsquo;ll soon discover the best fit for you. You might also
  learn a lot about yourself in the process, and you&rsquo;ll become even more
  excited about embarking on a rewarding career as a CRNA, NP or PA!
</p>

<p>
  Here&rsquo;s the scoop on each of these professions &ndash; what they do,
  where they work, how much they earn and more.
</p>

<h2>Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)</h2>

<h3>What do CRNAs do?</h3>

<p>
  CRNAs provide anesthesia for patients and work closely with physicians,
  surgeons, dentists and other providers. Before procedures, they talk with
  patients about their medications and allergies. CRNAs administer anesthesia,
  monitor vital signs during procedures and help patients recover afterward. In
  addition to providing pain management, they also may assist with emergency
  services.
</p>

<h3>What are some perks of being a CRNA?</h3>

<p>
  While being a nurse anesthetist can be challenging and even difficult at
  times, it also can be extremely gratifying. CRNAs care for people of all ages,
  from infants through seniors. They help patients undergo procedures with less
  pain and calm those who are anxious. CRNAs enjoy flexible schedules and work
  environments. They have a great deal of autonomy in their practice, and they
  are well-compensated for all of their hard work, dedication, training and
  expertise.
</p>

<h3>What traits make CRNAs successful?</h3>

<p>
  Successful CRNAs are collaborative, patient, culturally aware, transparent,
  engaged and accountable. They excel at managing emotions and making informed
  decisions using experiences, evidence, best practices and additional resources
  to address each unique situation (<a
    href="https://www.aana.com/docs/default-source/practice-aana-com-web-documents-(all)/professional-practice-manual/professional-attributes-of-the-nurse-anesthetist.pdf?sfvrsn=4d0049b1_6"
    target="_blank"
    >AANA</a
  >).
</p>

<h3>Where do CRNAs work?</h3>

<p>
  CRNAs practice in settings where anesthesia is administered, including
  hospitals, delivery rooms, surgical centers, physicians&rsquo; offices, dental
  offices, pain centers, mental health facilities and outpatient care centers.
  They are particularly needed in rural healthcare, critical access hospitals,
  military, public health, Veterans Affairs and Indian Health Services.
</p>

<h3>How much do CRNAs make, and what is the career outlook for CRNAs?</h3>

<p>
  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (<a
    href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-5"
    target="_blank"
    >BLS</a
  >), the median annual wage for nurse anesthetists in 2020 was $183,580. The
  career outlook is positive: there were 44,200 nurse anesthetists practicing in
  the U.S. as of 2020, and that number is expected to grow by 13% over the next
  decade (<a
    href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-6"
    target="_blank"
    >BLS</a
  >).
</p>

<h3>How can I become a CRNA?</h3>

<p>
  To become a CRNA, you must first earn a baccalaureate or graduate degree in
  nursing or another related major. You will also need to be licensed as a
  registered professional nurse and/or APRN in the U.S. You will need to have a
  minimum of one year experience as a registered nurse in a critical care
  setting. Next, you will need to earn a minimum of a master&rsquo;s degree
  (doctoral degree beginning in 2022) from an accredited nurse anesthesia
  program. Then, you must pass the National Certification Exam and keep up with
  the Continued Professional Certification Program to maintain your
  certification during your career (<a
    href="https://www.aana.com/membership/become-a-crna/crna-fact-sheet"
    target="_blank"
    >AANA</a
  >).
</p>

<h3>Where can I learn more about being a CRNA?</h3>

<p>
  If you&rsquo;re interested in becoming a CRNA, visit
  <a
    href="https://www.aana.com/docs/default-source/practice-aana-com-web-documents-(all)/professional-practice-manual/professional-attributes-of-the-nurse-anesthetist.pdf?sfvrsn=4d0049b1_6"
    target="_blank"
    >American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology</a
  >,
  <a href="https://diversitycrna.org/resources/" target="_blank"
    >Diversity in Nurse Anesthesia Mentorship Program</a
  >,
  <a href="https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding/hrsa-20-007" target="_blank"
    >U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration Nurse Anesthetist
    Traineeships</a
  >, and the
  <a href="https://www.nbcrna.com/" target="_blank"
    >National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse
    Anesthetists</a
  >. To see a list of certified CRNA programs, visit
  <a
    href="https://www.coacrna.org/programs-fellowships/crna-school-search/"
    target="_blank"
    >Council on Accreditation CRNA School Search</a
  >.
</p>

<h2>Nurse Practitioner (NP)</h2>

<h3>What do nurse practitioners do?</h3>

<p>
  Nurse practitioners serve as primary or secondary healthcare providers for
  patients. NPs&rsquo; scope of practice is greater than that of a nurse and
  closer to that of a physician, although there are some limitations in their
  practice autonomy. NPs examine patients, order tests, make diagnoses, provide
  treatment, prescribe medications and perform specific procedures. They focus
  on whole health and well-being and may be in general practice or a specialty
  like geriatrics, oncology, cardiology or emergency medicine.
</p>

<h3>What are some perks of being a nurse practitioner?</h3>

<p>
  Nurse practitioners have a great deal of independence, and some have complete
  autonomy of practice. Since they&rsquo;re in high demand, they have many
  opportunities to choose from in various work environments, flexible schedules
  and locations across the nation. NPs can care for people of all ages, from
  babies through seniors, and they can generalize or specialize. NPs are
  well-compensated for all of their hard work, dedication, training and
  expertise.
</p>

<h3>What traits make NPs successful?</h3>

<p>
  Successful NPs show empathy, compassion and interest in their patients. They
  confidently apply and adapt their knowledge, experience and best practices for
  each situation. They should have a high standard of ethics and should be
  excellent communicators. Further, NPs should collaborate well with care teams
  and engage in constant learning and improvement.
</p>

<h3>Where do nurse practitioners work?</h3>

<p>
  Most NPs, nearly 70%, work in primary care while others specialize (<a
    href="https://www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps/np-fact-sheet"
    target="_blank"
    >AANP</a
  >&shy;). NPs can work in physicians&rsquo; offices, urgent care centers,
  hospitals, emergency departments, skilled nursing facilities, long-term care
  facilities, hospice centers, home health, telemedicine, retail clinics,
  academic institutions, correctional facilities, government health and more.
</p>

<h3>
  How much do nurse practitioners make, and what is the career outlook for NPs?
</h3>

<p>
  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (<a
    href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-5"
    target="_blank"
    >BLS</a
  >), the median annual wage for nurse practitioners in 2020 was $111,680. The
  career outlook for NPs is positive: there were 220,300 nurse practitioners
  working in the U.S. as of 2020, and that number is expected to grow by a
  whopping 52% over the next decade (<a
    href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-6"
    target="_blank"
    >BLS</a
  >).
</p>

<h3>How can I become a nurse practitioner?</h3>

<p>
  To become an NP, you must &ldquo;be a registered nurse (RN), hold a Bachelor
  of Science in Nursing (BSN), complete an NP-focused graduate master&rsquo;s or
  doctoral nursing program and successfully pass a national NP board
  certification exam&rdquo; (<a
    href="https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/explore-the-variety-of-career-paths-for-nurse-practitioners"
    target="_blank"
    >AANP</a
  >).
</p>

<h3>Where can I learn more about being an NP?</h3>

<p>
  If you&rsquo;re interested in learning more about being a nurse practitioner,
  visit
  <a
    href="https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/explore-the-variety-of-career-paths-for-nurse-practitioners"
    target="_blank"
    >American Association of Nurse Practitioners</a
  >
  and
  <a
    href="https://www.nphealthcarefoundation.org/about-us/organizational-links/"
    target="_blank"
    >Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation</a
  >.
</p>

<h2>Physician Assistant (PA)</h2>

<h3>What do physician assistants do?</h3>

<p>
  Physician assistants examine patients, diagnose illness and injuries, provide
  treatment, prescribe medications and more. They may serve as a patient&rsquo;s
  primary care provider and may practice autonomously or under the supervision
  of a physician or surgeon. While NPs train under the nursing model (promoting
  health through a holistic approach), PAs train under the medical model (curing
  disease and treating symptoms).
</p>

<h3>What are some perks of being a physician assistant?</h3>

<p>
  PAs have a great deal of freedom in their practice and flexibility in
  scheduling. They also have many opportunities to choose from in all types of
  settings and locations. PAs care for patients of all ages and can be in
  general practice or specialize. Like CRNAs and NPs, PAs can earn great pay for
  their hard work, dedication, training and expertise.
</p>

<h3>What traits make physician assistants successful?</h3>

<p>
  Successful physician assistants are flexible, adaptable and self-directed.
  They show empathy and communicate effectively. Further, they are efficient,
  proactive and adept at multi-tasking. They draw on their extensive knowledge,
  training and best practices to treat each patient.
</p>

<h3>Where do physician assistants work?</h3>

<p>
  While nearly 53% of PAs work in physician&rsquo;s offices (<a
    href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm#tab-3"
    target="_blank"
    >BLS</a
  >), PAs also work in hospitals, outpatient care centers, community health
  centers, nursing homes, home health, government health, telehealth,
  correctional facilities, treatment centers and more.
</p>

<h3>How much do PAs make, and what is the career outlook for PAs?</h3>

<p>
  According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (<a
    href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm#tab-5"
    target="_blank"
    >BLS</a
  >), the median annual wage for physician assistants in 2020 was $115,390. The
  career outlook for PAs is positive: there were 129,400 PAs working in the U.S.
  as of 2020, and that number is expected to grow by 31% over the next decade
  (<a
    href="https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physician-assistants.htm#tab-6"
    target="_blank"
    >BLS</a
  >).
</p>

<h3>How can I become a physician assistant?</h3>

<p>
  To become a PA, you&rsquo;ll first need a bachelor&rsquo;s degree and some
  experience caring for patients, such as working as an EMT, paramedic, nursing
  assistant or RN. You will need to attend an accredited PA program, most of
  which offer a master&rsquo;s degree. After completing a program, you will need
  to pass a certification exam and apply for a state license. You&rsquo;ll need
  to complete continuing education hours and keep your certification up to date
  to maintain your license.
</p>

<h3>Where can I learn more about being a physician assistant?</h3>

<p>
  If you&rsquo;re interested in learning more about being a PA, visit
  <a href="https://www.aapa.org/" target="_blank">American Academy of PAs</a>,
  <a
    href="https://www.aapa.org/about/aapa-governance-leadership/student-academy/"
    target="_blank"
    >Student Academy of the AAPA</a
  >,
  <a href="https://www.nccpa.net/" target="_blank"
    >National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants</a
  >, and
  <a href="https://paeaonline.org/" target="_blank"
    >Physician Assistant Education Association</a
  >.
</p>

<p>
  We hope this exploration into the differences between CRNAs, NPs and PAs was
  helpful. To learn more about exciting opportunities for these APPs across the
  nation, see our
  <a href="https://www.crosscountrylocums.com/advanced-practice"
    >advanced practice provider jobs</a
  >
  here.
</p>


CRNA, NP or PA: Which Career Path Is Right for You?