Re: CRNA Doctorate?? Originally Posted by dneill01 As a SRNA/RRNA, I fully support the
option of acquiring a doctorate degree in anesthesia. I have a problem allowing the AACN dictate how and what degree it will be. I personally do not want to share the same doctorate title with NPs etc. The difference in the educational requirements between a CRNA and a NP are tremendous. CRNAs go through an average of 30 months of FULL TIME SCHOOL, not part time for 18 months. Our credit hours are approx. 75 and a NP averages 50 hours. Clinical requirements: the NP average requirement is 650-700 hours in clinical practicum, ours is 800 hours of actual anesthesia time in cases not time in the clinical setting (which is closer to 2500 hours), with additionally 550 actual cases, this is the Minimums to sit the board exam. We both have lab practicums. All of this is to say that we end up with the same degree level? MSN? The AACN cannot truely consider the same doctorate degree until they bring the NP curriculum to the same level or have additional requirements of NP to achieve the same doctorate degree. This is not to slight the NP education only to bring a point that I feel needs to be considered. I support having
separate degrees/titles.
The AACN is not the one calling the shots its the AANA. They proposed the clinical doctorate advancement and the AANA gladly jumped on the bandwagon. Yes I am for the advanced degree. Believe you brought this topic up in the wrong post earlier. We all know we have more intense schooling and training than most NP's no doubt. There is no way to goto CRNA school and work full time as many do that are in NP programs.
They are presently debating a title and hammering out issues regarding MS CRNA programs awarding the degree.
Even if the title includes Nurse Practioner in it we will still retain the CRNA title for differentiation and Im sure most will still refer to themselves as a CRNA so really I dont think it is much to sweat in that regards.
And I dont believe that they are giving away spots just to get numbers as you claimed in another thread. Yes and individual program may who knows but the AANA has no say so in who that school accepts to their program. And you claim you would like to up the minimun requirment. Yes some peeps do get in with just a yr maybe slightly less but the majority has a least a solid 2-3 yrs. The Council on Accreditation sets minimun standards and its up to the individual program to implement them as far as the course work.
Programs will differ some offering more intense didactic than others. As far as the AA programs go they will stay on track with that of CRNA programs I promise you.
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