Resp. therapist to CRNA?

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

Hey guys,

My friend's husband is a resp. therapist who is interested in anesthesia. My friend says he looked into a program in New York that was supposedly existing or in development where resp. therapists can transition to CRNA's. Does anyone know of such a program? Unless it's a program where people who already have bachelor's degrees can transition to nurses and then gain pre-acceptance to a CRNA program (I think Columbia has a program like this?), I really don't know how this is possible, without being a nurse first and having the required nursing experience. Thanks for any info. you can provide.

[kmchugh]

I am not aware of any program that can make CRNA's out of non-nurses. Not necessarily saying they don't exist, but I am not aware of any. After all, the middle two letters of our initials stand for "Registered Nurse." To become a CRNA, you must first be an RN, then you must get the requisite experience for the program to which you wish to apply. No short cuts. And I for one would not be in favor of any short cuts.

Kevin McHugh, CRNA

[loisane]

Kevin is right, there are no shortcuts. And I am quite sure there are none in development.

I think your friend is looking at one of two options. One is AA school, they do accept RTs, and some people do get them confused with CRNA schools.

The other is an accelerated BSN program, like the one you mention at Columbia. If he has a bachelors, this might be the quickest way to become a RN. But there is no way around the minimum one year acute care NURSING experience for nurse anesthesia school. His RT experience will not substitute for that.

loisane crna

[TraumaNurse]

I agree. I had a colleague who was an RT and he went to AA school. If an RT wants to become a CRNA, he would have to become an RN first and then get the required critical care experience as a nurse.

[piper_for_hire]

Hey Emerald,

I tried to PM you, but it said your mailbox was full. I have a question for you.

[EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN]

Thanks for the info. I told her about the accelerated BSN programs out there, maybe her husband would be interested in doing that. (Or I suggested that she do anesthesia school, since she's already a nurse!)

P.S. Sorry Piper, I deleted my messages, so try to PM me again!

[mic123]

In Canada they are training RT to become anesthesia assistants. They can intubate and do general only. No regional training what so ever. Can only say that this is scary as CRNA means a Registered Nurse with years of experience bedside with drips, meds, interactions not taught to RT programs. What do you think?