ACNP Transition to CRNA

Bluebolt · Mar 7, 2017

I'm sorry but as an NP you'll have to start all over again and start the application process for CRNA school just like you would as a bedside ICU RN. There was another NP on here asking advice on a way to bridge and that simply isn't possible. The entire CRNA curriculum is completely different from CRNP. In my DNP CRNA program, we have a few online doctorate research type classes with the DNP CRNP cohort and they remark that they don't learn anywhere near the information or the in-depth sciences we're required to master. Not to mention all the anesthesia courses that all require years of structured clinical rotations to make you proficient in anesthesia practice. There simply isn't a way to bypass all that and just take boards through a fast-track.

The silver lining is that if you took a pathophysiology course in CRNP school and get into a CRNA program that accepts it, you may get to skip that class during the program. I have a classmate who did this and the lucky dog doesn't have to show up to lecture on Thursdays until lunchtime. It gives her a couple hours of extra study time that morning that the rest of us don't get the luxury of having.

If CRNA is your passion and dream I say go for it. It's a long process to get into a program, very competitive and once you're in it's 3 years of hell without being able to work at all and incurring probably $150,000 in debt, but worth it in the end.

CCNP-FL · Mar 7, 2017

I'm sorry but as an NP you'll have to start all over again and start the application process for CRNA school just like you would as a bedside ICU RN...

Thanks for the response, Bluebolt. I kept looking for some post-masters programs and noticed a couple do exist. It would be nice not to take the theory classes all over again.

I have always been impressed with my CRNA colleagues and think that being dual certified would be helpful. Working as an intensivist NP has been very fulfilling and "filling in" for the anesthesia team during bedside ICU procedures got me thinking about CRNA.

I'll keep looking into some of the PMCs. Thanks for the advice!

allnurses Guide · Mar 7, 2017

As long as you kept in the critical care field you should be able to find CRNA schools that will accept your experience, and since a lot of CRNA schools have switched to the consensus model you should also at least be able to transfer some of your NP credits.

Bluebolt · Mar 8, 2017

Thanks for the response, Bluebolt. I kept looking for some post-masters programs and noticed a couple do exist. It would be nice not to take the theory classes all over again.
I have always been impressed with my CRNA colleagues and think that being dual certified would be helpful. Working as an intensivist NP has been very fulfilling and "filling in" for the anesthesia team during bedside ICU procedures got me thinking about CRNA.
I'll keep looking into some of the PMCs. Thanks for the advice!

Yeah, the post-masters CRNA degree is ideal for someone who already has an MSN in another nursing specialty. The only downside is it's pretty much just the CRNA program reworded. All the ones I've seen are over 2 years of full-time study, with full clinical rotations, full tuition costs and the whole long tedious application process that takes interviewing, etc. I'm really not sure how it's any different than any of the other CRNA programs you could apply to. Good luck to you man!

allnurses Guide · Mar 8, 2017

Yeah, the post-masters CRNA degree is ideal for someone who already has an MSN in another nursing specialty. The only downside is it's pretty much just the CRNA program reworded. All the ones I've seen are over 2 years of full-time study, with full clinical rotations, full tuition costs and the whole long tedious application process that takes interviewing, etc. I'm really not sure how it's any different than any of the other CRNA programs you could apply to. Good luck to you man!

Imagine how much easier your course load would be if you could have got rid of 3-6 of didactic classes though.

offlabel · Mar 8, 2017

You'd be a real rock star...hope you do it...

Bluebolt · Mar 8, 2017

I've had a few CRNPs reach out to me lately on my Youtube channel about going back to school to become a CRNA so I looked into these post masters certificate degrees to clarify. I think a lot of people get confused when they see these programs, imagining they are a quick fast-track to CRNA because they already have an MSN. I knew just from going through the curriculum in CRNA school and having many NP friends that it didn't add up because the curriculum is so different. Here is a link to a post masters CRNA certificate that I find represents most of what the programs are requesting.

Post Master's Certificate in Nurse Anesthesia | School of Nursing | UNC Charlotte

I would think a post masters certificate would be a quick hybrid/online 6 months to a year (maybe $10K to $15K in cost). I'm seeing here that it's typically greater than 2 years of full-time study, which indicates they will discourage you working, and will require you relocating to the school for the few years of the program. This also means if you already have an NP degree and are used to working, earning income and possibly paying back your CRNP degree loans, that will have to stop most likely. You'll take on more loans to support yourself and pay for school, probably at least $100,000 when it's all said and done.

The coursework that I'm seeing listed are the hard science courses that consume the 8-10 hours a day I spend on lecture and studying. The couple theory courses they filter in (usually one a semester) is what I consider my easy online hybrid class that is mostly busy work. It looks like they trimmed those out but like I said, those are the easy classes I really don't spend much time on.

Not to mention the requirements for application are just as tedious and frustrating as any application to CRNA school and I'm sure it's competitive. You have to fly to campus and interview in person, etc. My point being, it's a lot. Certainly not what you might think when you're imagining a post master certificate. In all fairness it's almost identical to any CRNA program for anybody who enters it.

I'm certainly not trying to discourage anyone from following their dream career, I'm just trying to make sure it's clear what they're signing up for.

Guest1207648 · Apr 13, 2023

CRNA school may be more intense than getting your NP licensure but its also because it's usually 4 years full time. NP school does have similarities to CRNA school, the full first year EVERYONE has to meet the same criteria. I feel as though there is a stigma of CRNA vs NP in which CRNA's feel superior, but truly the careers couldn't be more different. It truly depends on what you are passionate about. It should not be a comparison, or a competition, which reading these posts definitely has a vibe. If you're a current NP, that should suffice for ANY AND ALL pre-req for getting into a CRNA program. We know A LOT, and experience is everything! Working in a hospital setting you learn about everything. It should not be the same or equal to RN experience, regardless of what bluebolt says...You can do it! Don't let anyone talk you out of it, you've already accomplished so much, this certainly will be no different.

allnurses Guide · Apr 13, 2023

April Gillespie said:

CRNA school may be more intense than getting your NP licensure but it's also because it's usually 4 years full time.

Just to clarify all CRNA schools are a minimum 36 months and nearly all of them are that 36 months in length. This was mandated starting last year when the requirement for CRNA school graduation moved to a Doctorate (technically required in 2025 and beyond graduates). There are variety of reasons the two programs are different and the intensity with much narrower focus is probably the main reasons that CRNA could be considered more difficult.

Guest1207648 · Apr 13, 2023

Yes, I agree, as stated, most CRNA schools are now 4 year/doctorate programs. NP is 2 years, so yes, more schooling, more clinical, more everything act ect. It is needed for anesthesia but it's not to scare people away from doing it. Nor is it to say NP's are not capable of being CRNA's. There is not a comparison of the 2 professions. They are entirely different roles.

allnurses Guide · Apr 13, 2023

April Gillespie said:

Yes, I agree, as stated, most CRNA schools are now 4 year/doctorate programs. NP is 2 years, so yes, more schooling, more clinical, more everything act ect. It is needed for anesthesia but it's not to scare people away from doing it. Nor is it to say NP's are not capable of being CRNA's. There is not a comparison of the 2 professions. They are entirely different roles.

CRNA schools are 3 years not 4.