Experienced CRNA...ask me anything

Specialties CRNA

Updated:   Published

Okay...If you've read my posts you know that I will be retiring soon.

Now is your chance to ask a practicing CRNA anything.

12 years of experience from solo rural independent to medical-direction urban ACT. Former Chief and Clinical Coordinator of SRNAs.

I will not reveal my identity, specific locations, employers, or programs.

Anything else...ask away.

Tenn-Vols93 said:
Can you have a neatly trimmed beard as a CRNA?

Of course you can.

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Thank you! I know that was a stupid question, but it's concerned me for weeks now.

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Why is it that education for becoming a CRNA is swiftly drifting towards DNP, rather than staying at the MSN level? (It is expected of you to obtain a DNP in order to practice by 2025). A follow up question that may need to be brought up in other sections; Are the other specialties also requiring this shift towards DNP? Because from what I've researched, it is only the CRNA license kowtowing to this new demand.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Jralax said:
Why is it that education for becoming a CRNA is swiftly drifting towards DNP, rather than staying at the MSN level? (It is expected of you to obtain a DNP in order to practice by 2025). A follow up question that may need to be brought up in other sections; Are the other specialties also requiring this shift towards DNP? Because from what I've researched, it is only the CRNA license kowtowing to this new demand.

Here is the short answer:

"Why does the AANA support the vision of doctoral education for future nurse anesthetists?

Since its founding in 1931, the AANA has advanced quality education as the means to ensure that Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) are the best-prepared, safest anesthesia providers possible. Over the years, the educational standards for nurse anesthesia programs have grown to meet the required knowledge and skills for entry into practice. During the 1980s nurse anesthesia educational programs moved from hospital-based certificate programs to university-based graduate programs, and in 1998 the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) finalized the requirement that all programs award a master's or higher level degree. To best position CRNAs to meet the extraordinary changes in today's healthcare environment, the AANA believes it is essential to support doctoral education for future nurse anesthetists.

As a result of the AACN's activity, the AANA Board of Directors felt it was important to study the possible impact of requiring doctoral education for nurse anesthetists based on increased interest in the nursing community. The Task Force on the Doctoral Preparation of Nurse Anesthetists was appointed in 2005 to research the advisability of doctoral degrees for nurse anesthetists. Although it is difficult to know how many of the current nurse anesthesia educational programs will eventually develop doctoral programs, many of these nurse anesthesia programs are in colleges of nursing that are members of the AACN. Other programs are in colleges of nursing that are not members of the AACN, or are in colleges within disciplines other than nursing."

You can join the AANA for the long answer online and/or look at AACN website.

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Specializes in CRNA.
Jralax said:
Why is it that education for becoming a CRNA is swiftly drifting towards DNP, rather than staying at the MSN level? (It is expected of you to obtain a DNP in order to practice by 2025). A follow up question that may need to be brought up in other sections; Are the other specialties also requiring this shift towards DNP? Because from what I've researched, it is only the CRNA license kowtowing to this new demand.

In order to produce graduates capable of independent practice, many of the Master's programs were well beyond 24 months and 40 credits of MS degrees in most deciplines. Some were equivalent to a PharmD or DPT for example. So students were putting in the time and money for a doctorate but earning a Masters. Regional accreditors were questioning this.

You are correct that NP programs aren't required to be DNP, but many programs have changed. NP programs aren't consistent though while CRNA programs will be after 2022. The reason NP programs aren't required is there are multiple accrediting bodies. If one requires DNP while another doesn't, then the more stringent one will loose business. That's why the State Boards of Nursing stepped in to start regulating APRN programs. It's an unfortunate reality that the NP accreditors give in to political pressure.

A strength for CRNAs is the profession regulates itself more independently and creates more consistency. It's difficult to make a case to regulators when the profession is less consistent. If you're looking for an easy way to become an APRN, CRNA is not it.

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I apologize if this was already addressed. In your opinion, how long do you think a CRNA can safely practice? I understand this is dependent upon several factors and is very individualized. But, for someone whom maintains their physical and mental health, what is a realistic age someone can expect to be able to perform this type of work? I am completing my FNP now but am asking on behalf of my husband? At what age is "too old" to transition into this specialty? Again, I understand that it is all relevant...just asking for your opinion, based upon your experience. Thank you:-)

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Because the AACN has mandated it to be so. All APN are having to transition to the doctoral level as the entry level. CRNA is actually late to the game, and are putting it off for as long as possible. However, by 2022, 100% of programs will have to offer a doctoral degree in some form as their entry level degree.

Jralax said:
Why is it that education for becoming a CRNA is swiftly drifting towards DNP, rather than staying at the MSN level? (It is expected of you to obtain a DNP in order to practice by 2025). A follow up question that may need to be brought up in other sections; Are the other specialties also requiring this shift towards DNP? Because from what I've researched, it is only the CRNA license kowtowing to this new demand.
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Specializes in ICU.

@ck32 I know one FT CRNA who's 67, and another who works over 60 hrs/week and is 69.

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Thank you for the feedback!!

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kateciara said:
I am new graduate nurse in a small rural ED. I have wanted to pursue CRNA school since before I started my BSN but became overwhelmed with the road to get there once I graduated nursing school. Hence, the small ED instead of an ICU. I am 30 years old with a 9 year old daughter and I don't want to wait to long to go to CRNA school if I'm going to do it. In your opinion, is only 1-1.5 of ICU experience enough to be successful?

Kate, I cannot honestly answer that question. There are far too many individual variables. I will take a moment, though, to relay once again that CRNA programs are incredibly time-intensive...and your children are only young once. Consider carefully how you will deal with being an absentee mother.

Also consider your job options if you plan to remain in your rural area. While many rural locations are desperate for anesthesia, there are many with established providers who are lifers at their facility. Best luck!

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DreameRN said:
I've finally thought of something I'd like to know, that no one else has asked.

I'm in a doctoral program, finishing up my first semester. I believe that we start work on capstone/research project in our 2nd year, they haven't even mentioned it to us really yet. I'm incredibly interested in finding areas that current practitioners think deserve greater or deeper research. I actually enjoy research, (not the stats/numbers part) but the part of research that comes up with an idea that adds to the knowledge of the profession and then seeing what happens when you implement or trial something. I find it fascinating, but lacking the day to day experience of working as a CRNA, I'm worried that I'll pick something just to get the project done, versus something that really has meaning and can add to the knowledge of the profession. As an RN, I can tell you my undergrad projects were uninspired versus after I'd actually worked as an RN I had clear ideas on what I would like to do differently, or thought might work better.

My ideas right now range more to do with reading comprehension perhaps---If people score high on a GRE section of Verbal, or are given a separate reading comprehension test, does this correlate with grades or clinical performance? I don't know, but it interests me.

I'm interested if there are any ideas you have run into during practice or something you'd like to try to see if it worked better?

I'm no help when it comes to verbal whatever-it-is you alluded to, but I am in graduate school currently. The academic ivory-tower non-applicable research I am forced to read is a daily eyeroll.

This is a personal request, but could someone PLEASE do a substantive capstone project about the noise levels in the OR? Especially on emergence? Just write it all out...because I am deaf from this racket.

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offlabel said:
The lid has been blown off of CRNA training...if your are under 30 and childless...do it. If not there are nursing jobs that will remunerate handsomely in the long run. Same goes for medical school, IMHO...folks can do just fine as bedside RN's. Play the system, get into leadership roles and do well. Carry on...

BRILLIANT.

Period. The End.

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