CRNA Master's or Doctorates?

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I am new to allnurses.com, but I have read several posts on here before. I have seen several posts that say that the requirement to become a CRNA is moving up from a Master's Degree to a Doctorate level? Is this true? If so, when do they plan on changing it?

I am working on my Prereqs for Nursing school now, but my overall goal is to become a CRNA. I wouldn't be able to even get into CRNA school until 2016-2017. How much longer is the schooling to get a doctorates degree instead of a Master's degree?

Thank you.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.

I heard it would be 10 to 15 yrs from now.

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2025 all entering CRNA's must have DNAP or DNP

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I would not worry about the DNAP being any more difficult than the MS entry level we have now.

The same concern was voiced when we went from the diploma setting to MS.

Most anesthesia programs already require enough didactic and clinical to almost qualify for the DNAP... a CRNA program is equivalent to a doctorate in nursing already.

Not a lot of people in the CRNA community think the move to DNAP was a good idea. It was driven by the AANA getting in bed with other nursing specialities...not the brightest move the AANA could make.

I feel sorry for students having to take DOCTORATE level nursing theory... the nursing theory in my MSN was painful beyond description.

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Some schools now only offer the DNAP. I have been told that MS would be grandfathered in, not sure but that is hear say.

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Specializes in CRNA.

CRNAs with MS, or without a MS, will be grandfatered into practice. All nurse anesthesia programs are required to admit students to a practice doctorate(DNP or DNAP) beginning Jan 1, 2022. These programs are expected to be 36 months in legnth, and those already accreditied so far are at 36 months.

The change was driven by the AACN stating that all Advanced Practice Nurses be educated at the Practice Doctorate by 2015. About 40% of nurse anesthesia programs are jointly accredited by the COA and by CCNE(the accrediting body affiliated with AACN-similar to the COA being affiliated with AANA). The thought was that the 40% of nurse anesthesia programs were going to be required to go to the practice doctorate by 2015. The COA then published the 2022 deadline for nurse anesthesia. But now CCNE is not following the recommendation made by AACN, and has written a specific letter in Feb 2010 stating their intention to continue to accredit MS programs for advanced practice nurses. A large percentage of NP programs are making the switch even though they aren't required to.

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Thanks for the info. I am not a CRNA but am in processing of trying to be. Have an interview next month.

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