Compare And Contrast My 3 Career Choices

There are many directions you can go in once you become a RN. Soon I am going to have to make a choice on what area I want to focus on. I have said before that I have an interest in specializing as a NICU RN, a nursing instructor, or a CRNA. Although there are some things that are the same in these careers, there are also many things that are different.

First off to go into any one of these areas you must have attended an accredited nursing program, and have a license as a RN. Whether you are a neonatal RN, nursing instructor or CRNA they are all educators. As a NICU RN you are constantly educating the parents and family members of your patients. Nursing instructors obviously are constantly educating their students about safety and on how to be the best nurses they can be. As a CRNA you are also constantly educating your patients and their families on how anesthesia works.

When considering these fields you have to understand the education levels for each one are different. For a NICU RN the minimum degree is an associate’s however, a bachelor’s degree is ideal. Nursing instructors requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree yet again, a master’s is ideal. As a CRNA you must have a master’s degree from a CRNA graduate program. There is also a difference in the salary for each of these careers. A NICU RN average salary is $79,500 per year. A nursing instructor salary can range from $35,000-$65,000 per year. Not surprising, a CRNA leads the top of the field with a salary of anywhere from $92,000-$158,000. These salaries can be more or less depending on where you live, and your experience.

Regardless of which one of these career paths I choose I don’t believe I can go wrong. Sure there are differences and similarities. I know they all require me to be an RN and an educator. I also know that there is a little more education involved, and there are differences in pay. Regardless of these differences I believe I can’t go wrong with whatever career field I choose. Since being a nurse is something I have wanted for a long time, I know I will get enjoyment and satisfaction no matter what direction I choose to pursue.