PRE CRNA

[jayp213]

I've read that there is going to be a requirement by 2015 by many universities to switch the CRNA to a doctorate program. With that being said, i have calculated my personal timeline for completion of this route. I am 25 years old with not many college credits (please no negativity or parental input as to why i have waited so long) so i would basically be going to university for BSN with a fresh start, so to speak. by the time im finished with the icu experience and doctorate program, im looking at ~8-9 years to be a CRNA.

I'm also looking at the MDA option only because with just a few more years i would be done with med school, residency, etc. I guess I'm asking is it worth it? the extra "stress" of med school? i.e. no sleep by any means and no personal time for my husband and i (potential relationship failure) and not being able to stand alone as an MD until ~age 40?

i would really appreciate personal experiences, thoughts on this matter. Also if any of you know or work with any MDA's or CRNA's that felt they chose their profession for a certain reason. Thank You

[Garrett1987]

Programs are not required to become a Doctorate until 2025, but I strongly encourage you to go ahead and apply to doctorate schools. MDA vs CRNA, No one can accurately give you advice on this because we are all nurses doing CRNA. We do not know what it's like to be a MDA. I strongly encourage you to consider CRNA. I enjoy school. It's not easy by any means but I feel accomplished and productive every day.

[MeiLana]

I considered the same things, briefly, but while the MDA stuff is only somewhat longer, I do not like the lives I see Doctors living. Out of sheer curiosity, I'm considering taking the MCATs, but I also ask myself why? I wouldn't want to do it -- why blow the money? These doctors seem to be working all the time (I could be wrong) and what do you have if your relationship fails? Not much. Do you have kids? ...even worse. (If your relationship fails almost your entire pool of potentials will be doing exactly what you're doing and again, from what I can see, that's not a lot of time to build a meaningful life, though I know people do.) I think it just comes down to what your priorities are.

I'm older than you and this is my 2nd career. I have kids so that's the priority and from what I see, CRNAs get a nice vacation deal, are mostly doing business (surgical) hours and not killing themselves over stress and stuff. But, as Garrett1987 says -- we're all on the nursing track. Maybe you ought to ask some MDs.

[MatyIce]

The DNAP sounds great and is a source of pride, but from everyone that I have asked, which includes MDA's and CRNA's, there doesn't seem to be any benefit in doing the DNAP at this point. As a doctoral prepared CRNA there is not a greater pool of jobs or greater potential to be hired, nor is there a higher pay wage. With an already demanding curriculum at the MSN level, why make schooling that much more difficult. I'd say get through the MSN first and go back to complete the DNAP. Either way, you will be doing the same things clinically.

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

The DNAP sounds great and is a source of pride, but from everyone that I have asked, which includes MDA's and CRNA's, there doesn't seem to be any benefit in doing the DNAP at this point. As a doctoral prepared CRNA there is not a greater pool of jobs or greater potential to be hired, nor is there a higher pay wage. With an already demanding curriculum at the MSN level, why make schooling that much more difficult. I'd say get through the MSN first and go back to complete the DNAP. Either way, you will be doing the same things clinically.

The purpose of the DNAP/DNP is to prepare the clinician for the future. It is supposed to make providers better at evaluating research and bringing that research into practice, if you are looking for the DNP/DNAP to give you some tangible instantaneous results you are going to be disappointed.

[Garrett1987]

My advice is get the DNP/DNAP all in one program. If you get a MSN and then a DNP, it will take twice as long and take more money out of your pocket. My DNP is an additional 8 months compared to a MSN. If I were to get an MSN and then go for DNP, that would be an additional year and a half, plus the increased tuition rate.