advantages of MSN rather than other Master's for CRNA?

Tranman · May 26, 2006

Hi,
I read on this board awhile back that some CRNA's who had non-MSN degrees wished they had went to a program that awarded a MSN degree. As a CRNA, what are the advantages of getting a MSN vs. another Master's as a CRNA? Thanks!
Amy

None in the working world that I know of. Not sure if getting a PhD requires a MSN over MS_. I don't think this is the case but haven't researched it. good question.

miloisstinky · May 29, 2006

The wonderful advantage of an MS over an MSN is that you do NOT have to take any Nursing-Fluff type of courses!!!! :D

heartICU · May 29, 2006

The wonderful advantage of an MS over an MSN is that you do NOT have to take any Nursing-Fluff type of courses!!!! :D

True - some MSN programs are worse than others in that regard. MY program had five non-anesthesia related courses, and each course lasted a week. No big deal at all. Actually, it was nice to have this (and please don't flame for this) blow-off course - because that's what it truly was. Go to a few days of lecture, write a few papers, done. Cake compared to anesthesia courses.

MmacFN · May 29, 2006

Hey heart

U and i are on the same page. I find MSN core classes somewhat "fluffish". I do believe, however that an MSN is a good thing and here is why:

1) Dont have to have MSN to do PhD in nursing.

2) Some MSN classes i have throughly enjoyed. Informatics is one that comes to mind that was particularily enjoyable. I also had alot of fun taking the medical ethics class and legal class.

3) All the MSN classes will relate to your profession in some way.

4) Other grad classes will generally, have nothing to do with your profession.

5) taken an MSN supports the professional advancement of nursing. Im all for that.

Does it REALLY matter for CRNA school? Absolutely not. However, to some degree i believe that nursing would be seen negatively if we allowed NON Nursing masters to get into CRNA programs. Does that make sense?

At the end of the day, if you want to goto CRNA school i believe that all of the masters prepared programs require you to take the MSN portion. A former masters in anything else is not a replacement, in my understanding.

heartICU · May 30, 2006

Hey heart
U and i are on the same page. I find MSN core classes somewhat "fluffish". I do believe, however that an MSN is a good thing and here is why:
1) Dont have to have MSN to do PhD in nursing.
2) Some MSN classes i have throughly enjoyed. Informatics is one that comes to mind that was particularily enjoyable. I also had alot of fun taking the medical ethics class and legal class.
3) All the MSN classes will relate to your profession in some way.
4) Other grad classes will generally, have nothing to do with your profession.
5) taken an MSN supports the professional advancement of nursing. Im all for that.
Does it REALLY matter for CRNA school? Absolutely not. However, to some degree i believe that nursing would be seen negatively if we allowed NON Nursing masters to get into CRNA programs. Does that make sense?
At the end of the day, if you want to goto CRNA school i believe that all of the masters prepared programs require you to take the MSN portion. A former masters in anything else is not a replacement, in my understanding.

I think what she is referring to is a MSA or MSEd ... some programs that train CRNAs are not housed in schools of nursing - therefore cannot grant a MSN, so they grant a Master of Science in Anesthesia, MAster of Science in Education with concentration in Anesthesia, etc. If someone already has a MSN, and attend a CRNA program that grants the MSN, they could be granted a post-masters certificate in anesthesia. The only classes they would get out of would be the four or five fluffy ones. Still fulltime, still several years of hardcore clinical/class/etc. However, if you had an MBA and wanted to do cRNA, you would have to get a second masters degree, whether it was a MSN or MSA or whatever the CRNA program awards. MAke sense?

MmacFN · May 30, 2006

Ahhh

totally.

None of the programs i looked into were not associated with a school of nursing. I had no idea that there were alternate masters offered.

Thanks for the info!

I think what she is referring to is a MSA or MSEd ... some programs that train CRNAs are not housed in schools of nursing - therefore cannot grant a MSN, so they grant a Master of Science in Anesthesia, MAster of Science in Education with concentration in Anesthesia, etc. If someone already has a MSN, and attend a CRNA program that grants the MSN, they could be granted a post-masters certificate in anesthesia. The only classes they would get out of would be the four or five fluffy ones. Still fulltime, still several years of hardcore clinical/class/etc. However, if you had an MBA and wanted to do cRNA, you would have to get a second masters degree, whether it was a MSN or MSA or whatever the CRNA program awards. MAke sense?

Tranman · May 30, 2006

I don't want to confuse the situation, so I will try to clarify. All accredited programs are associated with a school of nurse anesthesia, but not all programs offer a MSN. Some, like the program I went to offer a MS in biology with an emphasis in anesthesia. The question is what is the advantage of the MSN over MS_? I'm not sure other than MSN definitely has more fluff (like BSN programs). The one true disadvantage is that most if not all MSN programs require you to write a thesis. I call these "big @ss book reports". 50 pager. Where as some of the MS_ programs offer students a choice b/t a thesis or oral comps. 97% of students in the NE schools chose the oral comps. Studying for them actually helps you prepare for your written boards as well. So that is the only advantage i know of b/t MSN and MS_. Don't know if this holds true for all programs. Just speaking from experience and a little guessing.

blee1 · May 30, 2006

From what I hear, you need an MSN to teach (not necessarily in NA)..

crnateach · May 31, 2006

Since the early/mid 1990's, all CRNA programs are masters programs. About 1/2 of those Nurse Anesthesia programs are housed in a school of nursing. The other 1/2 are found in various schools/colleges (eg school of allied health, biology, school of health professions etc). Depending on the school, degrees will vary - Master in Nurse Anesthesia, Master in Nursing, etc...). All programs meet the requirements of the AANA accrediting body (which is not governed by any board of nursing).

For clinical practice purposes, there are no differences in degrees.If you have graduated from an accredited program and pass the boards, you will be able to practice as a CRNA anywhere in the US (as long as you have a valid state RN liscence)

If one wants to move toward education, the MSN provides a little more flexibility (you are able to teach at any school) because some schools of nursing require an MSN (or PhD in Nursing) to teach. It doesn't matter so much to schools outside a school of nursing.

As for clinical preparation, programs not housed in a school of nursing can provide more concentrated anesthesia courses, because there are not the required core nursing courses (eg nursing theory).