Post doctoral CRNA certification programs?

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Anyone heard of post-doctoral CRNA programs that may take less than regular dnap programs?

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To clarify my post, I completed my DNP few months ago and have been working as a nurse educator for several years now. My interest in becoming a CRNA sparked not long ago and wanted to see if there are accelerated CRNA programs for individuals who already have a doctoral degree. Perhaps credit transfers for non-clinical courses? 

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesiology Student.

Oh that's a tough one. I don't think a post DNP for a non-CRNA exists. There's a handful of post-masters DNP CRNA programs but those are for CRNAs with a MSN and are already in practice. From a quick search, you're going to have to start all over as a DNP-NA student. 

I was only allowed to transfer 6 credits from my previous DNP program that I attended for 2 semesters. The other 15 credits went down the toilet. A majority of the anesthesia curriculum is science heavy and school specific so 99% of them won't even accept credits from another anesthesia program. 

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Thank you, @Lipoma

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That would assume that the accrediting body for nurse anesthesia training, the NBCRNA, which is basically a front for the AANA, was indifferent to the content of it's DNP requirements which service a specific agenda for those two organization and their champions. They are not indifferent and so there is no accommodation for a 'doctorate' in another nursing discipline for becoming a CRNA

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

No, there are no shorter routes for those with graduate degrees in other nursing disciplines.   All programs are 9 semesters in 36 month doctorates now.

Politically motivated conspiracy theories aside, on a practical level, a 'shorter' route for those who already have a doctorate in another nursing discipline wouldn't work well.  Large chunks of CRNA didactic coursework is tailored specific to anesthesia.  The pharmacology heavily focuses on drugs common to anesthesia practice.  You can say the same thing about the physiology and patho.  

About 1/4 of my graduating class, including myself, had previously completed graduate degrees in other nursing disciplines prior to CRNA.  One guy was an ICU NP with a DNP.  None of us found any significant amount of our didactic coursework redundant.

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The 'DNP' has nothing meaningful to add to the core anesthesia specific coursework, I.e., it is entirely conceivable that work done to that end in another nursing emphasis could look identical to that of one in anesthesia.

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.

There is certainly a robust discussion to be had about whether the transition from 27-month/7semester MSN to 36 month/9semester DNP in nurse anesthesia was value added.  However, I don't think that's relevant to this discussion.

This person is a non-CRNA with a DNP in nursing education.   I just looked back at my degree plan from my masters in nursing education.  I see a single 3-credit hour healthcare management class that has clear overlap with my 93 credit hour CRNA degree plan.  I don't think that's much in the scheme of things.   

While possible that other degree programs at other institutions have slightly more overlap with nurse anesthesia, I'm not sure this is a great example of it. 

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Specializes in Pulmonology.

Barry University and South college both have Post Doctoral CRNA certificates. 

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.
PulmNP25 said:

Barry University and South college both have Post Doctoral CRNA certificates. 

I'm not sure what you mean. There is no real shortcut for non-crnas with other graduate degrees in nursing to become CRNAs.  It   A quick Google search shows:

Barry has 2 CRNA tracks if you go to their website: one non CRNAs who do a 36 month doctorate and the other for master's prepared already licensed CRNAs to earn a doctorate.  

South has the 36 month doctorate for non-crnas.  They allow constructive credit for up to 4 courses if the applicant has a doctorate in another nursing discipline.  That's really not much in the scheme of a 9 semester program.

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Specializes in Pulmonology.
jfratian said:

I'm not sure what you mean. There is no real shortcut for non-crnas with other graduate degrees in nursing to become CRNAs.  It   A quick Google search shows:

Barry has 2 CRNA tracks if you go to their website: one non CRNAs who do a 36 month doctorate and the other for master's prepared already licensed CRNAs to earn a doctorate.  

South has the 36 month doctorate for non-crnas.  They allow constructive credit for up to 4 courses if the applicant has a doctorate in another nursing discipline.  That's really not much in the scheme of a 9 semester program.

I don't think OP is looking for a shortcut. They state they have a DNP, and despite being in education it seems like they want to know if there is a track that will consider some of the work they have already done that is non clinical.  I listed two programs who offer CRNA certificates for those who are post doctoral. They still take as much time as its usually a lock step program. The course load would just not include the "hybrid" DNP courses and the focus would be on the core anesthesia and such as  advanced patho and pharm for anesthesia. 

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Specializes in Adult Critical Care.
PulmNP25 said:

I don't think OP is looking for a shortcut. They state they have a DNP, and despite being in education it seems like they want to know if there is a track that will consider some of the work they have already done that is non clinical.  I listed two programs who offer CRNA certificates for those who are post doctoral. They still take as much time as its usually a lock step program. The course load would just not include the "hybrid" DNP courses and the focus would be on the core anesthesia and such as  advanced patho and pharm for I have

 

 

I have this coversation with NPs a lot.  Now I personally had a graduate nursing degree prior to CRNA school, as did about 25% of my class. None of us got any credit.  Important for non crnas to know that the many of the DNP non clinical courses are actually anesthesia specific and are hard to get constructive credit.  And you still have to do a doctoral project in anesthesia even if you've done one before in another nursing discipline.  It is uncommon for anyone to get more than a few classes worth of constructive credit.

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