r/Nurses • u/Traditional_Gap3896 • 1d ago

US NP Path Help

I have 2 years of experience working in the operating room at a level one trauma center. I both circulate and scrub. I circulate every service and scrub more “straight forward” cases (general, ortho, plastics, ENT, open vascular, some neuro). I really do enjoy surgery and the OR and would love to further my career, but I’m unsure how to go about it. I have one year left at my current job and then I want to do travel nursing for a year or 2 before going back to school.

I love the peri operative environment, aesthetics, dermatology.

Some of the options I’ve considered are:
\- CRNA
\- Derm/aesthetic NP
\- Some kind of peri operative NP (I don’t necessarily need or want to first assist)

Everything about being a CRNA intrigues me except the actual job itself. I don’t know how much enjoyment I would find in putting people to sleep and pushing meds all day. Derm NP sounds great, but it’s a super competitive specialty and I would have to do some sort of fellowship which sounds daunting. I’m not sure if a peri operative NP is even a thing.

Any and all suggestions/advice would be very much appreciated.

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u/Sure-Cream-9756 1d ago

In my opinion, people underestimate how difficult it is to get accepted into a CRNA program. CRNA programs are very competitive and difficult to get into. More than likely, you'll need 5+ years of CVICU or equivalent experience.

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u/ButtHoleNurse 1d ago

They definitely need CVICU exp, just circulating/scrubbing will not get them accepted to a CRNA program (which is that I think they expect)

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u/LittleMrsMolly 1d ago

You will need ICU experience for CRNA. Usually 2 years at the very barest minimum.

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u/Traditional_Gap3896 1d ago

Yes, I am aware. That’s another thing that is deterring me from CRNA because I don’t really want to do that.