mommy2BCD

I am doing a preceptorship in the SICU and heard one of the respiratory therapy students talking about becoming a CRNA. This poses several questions for me... How are you a NURSE anesthetist with no nursing experience??? How do you get the year minimum of critical care experience if you aren't a nurse? I understand that they do work in the ICUs but definitely not in the context that a nurse does. They suction, gives nebs, manage vents, etc. etc. etc. They have no experience managing Swans, multiple vasoactive drips, etc. I am really perplexed! My preceptor also was very against this as he has been an ICU nurse fo 16 years! What are your thoughts on this? Is this common? Do you feel a respiratory therapist can have the skills and knowledge to become a good CRNA?