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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Hi there,

i´m looking at CRNA education, trying to pick some programs to apply to but i´ve got a question I want to ask you. Since i´m not american and studied nursing in Iceland i´m not familiar with this. After graduating from some programs you get a MS degree, some give you a MSN degree and some MSA degree. Is there any difference among these degrees or is it all the same? does it matter which one i get once i start to apply for jobs? Is one "better" than the other?

hope you can help me, and i apologize for any misspellings on my part.

kind regards, Icenurse

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I am not a nurse anesthetist but as far as I know, the type of masters degree received would not have impact on potential employment--obviously as long as its from an accredited program in nurse delivered anesthesia. The clinical experience received at the school may have a greater impact on your future employment opportunities--but again this would be better answered by someone who has gone through a program. Just wanted to give you the following links for further investigation. Good luck:

American association of Nurse Anesthetists: http://www.aana.com

Discover nursing NA career info:

http://www.discovernursing.com/jnj-specialtyID_268-dsc-specialty_detail.aspx

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Specializes in CRNA.

The type of degree won't affect you with certification or clinical jobs. If you want to get into education, some of the MSN programs will not allow faculty without a graduate degree in nursing. As far as employment that is the only issue I can think of. The MS in Anesthesia programs are able to devote their curriculum entirely to anesthesia which is seen as an advantage to some. The MSN programs must include the nursing theory courses also.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

Thank you very much for your answers. It really helps. I think that It is better for me to go after a MSN degree since i might want to get into teaching one day....

thanks again :)

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Specializes in CRNA.
Thank you very much for your answers. It really helps. I think that It is better for me to go after a MSN degree since i might want to get into teaching one day....

thanks again :)

You can teach with a MS in anesthesia in a lot a programs, but maybe not in some programs that are housed in a College of Nursing. This applies to didactic teaching positions only, not to clinical teaching. For clinical teaching any degree is acceptable.

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthetist.

Personally I hated the nursing part of my MSN degree. The anesthesia portion was much more interesting and relevant to what I wanted/needed to learn.

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