CRNAs and nurse practitioners (NPs) are both advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), but they do very different work. CRNAs give anesthesia; NPs diagnose and treat patients, usually over time, in primary, acute or specialty care.
CRNAs earn more on average, and their training is longer and harder to get into. NP programs are more varied and more widely available. The right choice depends on the work you want to do every day.
Quick comparison
| CRNA | Nurse practitioner | |
|---|---|---|
| Main work | Anesthesia and related care before, during and after procedures | Assessment, diagnosis, treatment and prescribing in a population focus |
| Entry degree | Doctorate (DNP or DNAP) | Master's or doctorate |
| Program length | 36 to 51 months | Varies by program and degree |
| Experience before school | At least 1 year of full-time critical care RN work | Varies by program |
| National exam | NBCRNA National Certification Examination (NCE) | National certification in your population focus |
| BLS median pay (May 2025) | $236,590 | $132,300 |
| BLS projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | 10% | 41% |
Education and admission
CRNA
You need a BSN or other accepted bachelor's degree, a current RN license and at least one year of full-time critical care experience. Programs run 36 to 51 months, and all entry-level programs now award a doctorate.
Admission is competitive. In Everything CRNA's School Finder data (October 2026), the median reported acceptance rate is 18%. The median total tuition and fees is about $124,700. See CRNA school requirements and CRNA school acceptance rates.
Nurse practitioner
AANP says all NPs must complete a master's or doctoral program, with advanced clinical training beyond their RN preparation. You choose a population focus, such as family, adult-gerontology, pediatrics, psychiatric-mental health, neonatal or women's health.
Experience requirements, length, format and cost vary a lot between NP programs. Many offer part-time or online study. Check each program's own site for details.
Scope of practice
CRNA
CRNAs plan and give anesthesia: general, regional and sedation, plus airway and pain care around procedures. They work in hospitals, surgery centers, obstetric units, dental and pain clinics, and the military and VA.
Supervision rules vary by state, facility and payer. Medicare requires CRNA supervision by a physician unless a state opts out. As of September 2026, 27 states plus DC and Guam have opted out. See CRNA opt-out states.
Nurse practitioner
NPs evaluate patients, order and interpret tests, diagnose conditions, and prescribe. AANP groups states into full, reduced and restricted practice.
In full practice states, NPs practice under the board of nursing's authority alone. In reduced or restricted states, the law requires a collaborative agreement or supervision. Check AANP's state map for your state.
Pay
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for May 2025:
| Nurse anesthetists | Nurse practitioners | |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | 51,840 | 323,040 |
| Mean annual wage | $248,320 | $137,300 |
| Median annual wage | $236,590 | $132,300 |
| 10th percentile | $155,250 | $101,340 |
| 90th percentile | $339,500 | $174,420 |
The gap is large across the whole range. Even the 10th percentile CRNA earns more than the NP median. BLS counts employees only, so self-employed and many 1099 clinicians are left out of both figures. See CRNA salary for more detail.
Job outlook
BLS projects NP employment to grow 41% from 2025 to 2035, from 336,300 to 474,100 jobs. Nurse anesthetist employment is projected to grow 10%, from 54,500 to 59,800.
NPs will add far more jobs in total. CRNA growth is still faster than average, and the CRNA workforce is much smaller. See CRNA job outlook.
Day-to-day work and lifestyle
The two jobs feel very different.
- CRNA work is procedural and intense in short bursts. You manage one patient at a time through a case, then move to the next. Work often includes early starts, call, nights or weekends, depending on the setting.
- NP work is often clinic-based and relationship-driven. You see many patients a day, manage chronic conditions, and follow people over months or years. Hospital NP roles can include shifts and nights.
Your schedule depends more on your employer than on your title. A CRNA in a surgery center may have no call. A hospitalist NP may work nights. Read CRNA work-life balance for how call and schedules work.
Which path should you choose?
The CRNA path may suit you if:
- You enjoy critical care, pharmacology and hands-on procedures
- You like focused, high-stakes work with clear endpoints
- You can commit to a full-time, 3 to 4 year doctoral program
The NP path may suit you if:
- You want to diagnose and manage patients over time
- You want a specific population, such as pediatrics or mental health
- You need flexibility, such as part-time or online study
Shadow both if you can. Ask CRNAs and NPs what a normal week looks like, and what they would choose again.
FAQ
Can an NP become a CRNA?
Yes, if you meet CRNA admission rules, including critical care RN experience. There is no shortcut; you complete a full nurse anesthesia program. Some programs give credit for prior graduate courses, so ask each one.
Can a CRNA work as an NP?
Not without completing an NP program and NP certification. They are separate APRN roles with separate certifications.
Which is harder to get into?
CRNA programs are generally more selective, with a median acceptance rate of 18% in our School Finder data. NP admission varies widely by program.
Which pays more?
CRNAs. The May 2025 BLS median was $236,590 for nurse anesthetists and $132,300 for nurse practitioners.
This page is general information, not career or financial advice. Confirm program details on each program's site.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and nurse practitioners
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 national data (29-1151, 29-1171)
- AANA: CRNA fact sheet
- AANA: Fact sheet concerning state opt-outs (September 2026)
- AANP: What's a nurse practitioner?
- AANP: State practice environment
- Everything CRNA School Finder data (October 2026): CRNA school finder