PA to CRNA

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1. Are there any CRNA programs that will accept Physician Assistants?

2. Most programs require a BSN to apply and one year of ICU care .

3. Are there any programs or schools out there that can work with PA's, without having to go back to school to get a BSN? Can on take classes on Nursing Model and get RN license as a PA and apply to a CRNA program?

4. My wife is tired of controlling doctors. (need help with schools list.) Thanks Guys!

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Specializes in CRNA.

In order to be eligible for nurse anesthesia school you: 1) have to be an RN 2) work a minimum of 1 year in a critical care setting 3) minimum of a 1000 on the GRE 4) have a bachelor of science (many schools require BSN, but not all).

While being a PA is certainly respectable, the AANA will only recognize RNs with the above mentioned credentials. If your wife is really wanting to do anesthesia her shortest route would be the anesthesiologist assistant (AA) path. Right now however, AA practice is restricted to a limited amount of states.

Anesthesia really is a great gig. Good luck to your wife in her endeavors.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

Not that I am aware of...you could do a "second degree accelerated nursing program" if you already have a bachelores in something else, but then you would prolly still need one year ICU...do you have experience with invasive line monitoring etc? You may be able to get away with not doing the one year if you do, by it is an RN position, so you need to be an RN...I'd post this question on the ore CRNA inquiry page though. They'd know!! Good luck!

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Specializes in med surg, ccu, icu, nursg home, md offic.

Do you mind telling me why you don't want to be a P A anymore. Have a son starting PA school in the fall. Just curious

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If you really want to do CRNA vs. AA, your best bet is to do the following:

apply to Columbia entry to practice program (combined BS/MS program) Choose Nursing Anesthesia as your Masters specialty.

When you get accepted the BSN portion only takes 12 months, then you take a leave of abscense and find a job in an ICU for one year. You then return to the Masters program one year later and tadaa you are on your way to becoming a CRNA. I know it takes awhile but if thats what you want to do, this would be the shortest way, unless you go the AA route.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

You're in quite a legal pitfall if you plan to work as an RN while maintaining a PA license. Even though your scope will be limited to that of an RN, your liability will remain that of a PA. If you really intend to go this route, perhaps inactivating/retiring your PA license should be considered.

That said, the AA route seems more accessible-- though, for 2.5 years of PA school and 2(?) years of AA school, one wonders why the MDA route isn't considered.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

crna credentialing is certified registered nurse anesthetist ie advanced rn practice role of nurse anesthesia.

going from pa to crna would require 1 yr direct entry bsn program, 1yr critical care experience. 24-28 mo masters nurse anesthesia program. total 4 1/2 yrs.

accelerated programs

find out more about fast-track nursing degree programs for individuals with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree.

aana list: [color=#0000cc]accredited programs

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Specializes in NICU, CVICU.

If your wife is "tired of controlling doctors", then I doubt an AA program is what she'll want. An Anesthesiology Assistant is only allowed to work under an Anesthesiologist. If her desire is to do anesthesia solo (without "controlling doctors") then she'll need to either do a CRNA program or go to medical school.

To be a CRNA, she will have to become a Registered Nurse. This is not optional, and cannot be substituted for any other discipline. An accelerated program (approx 12-15 months) would get her a BSN which means she could apply to ANY CRNA program in the country. Alternatively, she could do an ADN program (2 yrs) and apply to some CRNA programs with her bachelor's degree in another field if it is a BS, but it does limit the number of schools she can apply to.

No matter which route she takes, it will require a MINIMUM of one year of bedside acute care experience as an RN. There is simply no way around this requirement. Each school determines what it will accept for acute care - some will take ER, some want only adult ICU, some will take pedi/neonatal ICU.

Some programs require the GRE. Some require it unless you have a Master's. Some will take the MAT. Some don't need either. Each program (106 of them across the country) has different requirements and I'm sure there will be plenty she could apply to depending on which way she chooses to approach it.

Check out the links provided by previous posters. There are many ways to skin a cat!!

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I think it's already been mentioned, but you do have to be an RN and have ICU experience for CRNA school. Even if your wife works in critical care, as a PA, I'm guessing she doesn't do minute to minute bedside monitoring of pts and titrating drips. She functions like the doctor making decisions and writing orders, which is no small task either I know! but it's not the same kind of training CRNA programs require. Other posters have mentioned AA programs, anesthesia assistants. There's much 'debate' (okay, arguing:D) among some CRNAs and AAs, and honestly I'm not entirely sure how to describe the difference between them --kind of like NP and PA, I know they are different but do almost the same thing, but have slightly different regulatory/supervisory situations with physician and it's different from state to state. But the AA profession has been around for a while I think and they must be well trained and good clinicians or they wouldn't still be around. So, maybe that's something to look into. But like a poster said, I don't know if it will make the supervising doctor situation any better. Like I said, I'm not sure how all that works for AAs. Good luck! there's lots to learn about CRNA and AA professions. Lots of discussion boards that are very helpful, lots of info on the internet. Start google-ing and good luck!:typing

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Could you clarify (or give website of) which program you mean by "Columbia entry to practice program" ?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Cardiac Surgery ICU.
Could you clarify (or give website of) which program you mean by "Columbia entry to practice program" ?

Thanks!

Seriously? Just google what you typed above! Columbia's School of Nursing web site is not hard to find. It's nice you are helping your wife, but come on!

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There are a number of Universities in places called "Columbia." Just didn't know if you mean Columbia University in NY or one of the others. Thanks.

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