Will CA CRNA's need PhDs?

meandragonbrett · Mar 24, 2011

They will not be PhD programs. They will be DNP programs.

allnurses Guide · Mar 24, 2011

Hello,
I'm toying with the idea of going to CRNA school. Here in Texas, starting in 2015, the CRNA programs will be PhD programs. However, I'm moving to California later this year. So, does anyone know if this is also in the plans for California CRNAs. Thanks for the feedback!!

No, CRNA programs are not moving towards PhDs. PhDs are research degrees. CRNAs are moving towards DNP/DNAP programs which are supposed to be more clinically practice focused. Not all CRNA schools are switching to a doctorate program right away, but the ones associated with schools of nursing will all probably make the switch in the next year or two. You should look on the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists/AANA website for more details on the switch.

ReginaPhalange · Mar 25, 2011

Thank you both for the clarification.

taraferma · Apr 2, 2011

has anyone graduated from the University of Phoenix and went on to apply to CRNA school in California? USC, Kaiser-fullerton, Sam Merritt. Also, Loma Linda University just opened a new CRNA program

BCRNA · Apr 14, 2011

NP's and other specialties are "suggested" to move to DNP by 2015. It is not a mandate, and the certification bodies have not committed to making it a requirement. Though it does look like it is going to come to pass. So far most advanced practice programs look like they are trying to have a DNP by 2015.

The exception is anesthesia, our date is 2025. DNAP and DNP programs will be created for us. DNAP is for programs not affiliated with a school of nursing. DNP programs require a MSN, not all anesthesia programs grant this degree. There are MSN, MNA, MSNA, and many other variations for us. So far DNAP (doctor of nurse anesthesia practice) degrees are more clinically focused with advanced science classes--at least the two I have checked out. Most DNP programs for people who already practice in the clinical setting have no clinical requirements and no advanced science. Thier clinical requirements are met by verifying your clinical hours at the master's level. There are no clinicals for the DNP itself (with a few exceptions, just depends on school).

A PhD is a pure research degree and is not associated with clinical practice. Converting the master's to a DNP will add 8 months to one year to the program. Though most master's in nursing are already twice as long as any other master's degree from other fields. The length of time required to get a DNP will be equivalent to other doctorate programs. From high school to graduation is the same for DNP, PharmD and DPT programs. Though it is quite a bit more if you consider the minimum of 2-3 years experience required to get into an anesthesia program.

If you want to be a CRNA I would recommend getting in before the 2025 switch, one year of extra education with no pay is a huge difference. Especially in student loan debt. Programs will switch from being a little over two years full time to over three years full time.

If CRNAs actually do switch to requiring DNP by 2025, everyone with a master's will be grandfathered in. They wont have to go back to school. Many years from now it will make a difference though. Right now to get your licensure in Tennesse for the first time you HAVE to have a masters, regardless of how many years you have been practicing. The people who have been practicing with a bachelors or certificate can no longer practice in Tennesse for the first time. If they were already licensed there prior to the change then they are allowed to keep their license; the change only applies to new applicants who were never licensed there.

Only the certification bodies can make the final requirement to require a DNP/DNAP--that would be the AANA certification council and the state boards of nursing. Right now it is only a suggestion from AACN--they accredit colleges and do not have any power over certification to actually practice.

So it has not been decided in California(or any state) if it is an actual requirement yet. Though IMO I think it is definitely going in that direction. Almost all non-anesthesia programs in 2015 will be DNP programs, my guess is that a few years after they start that a DNP will be made the official standard for all advanced practice not including anesthesia. With anesthesia doing it by 2027.