Advice please for Best Degree for CAA Route

[LopsiddedMind84]

Your Location: USA Pennsylvania
Your Age:32
What kind of degree do you want?:Bachelors then applying to Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Program
Current Regional Accredited Credits:

School Name Total Credits: #
Pennstate University fall 2010-spring 2011 withdrew but the 3-4 classes that I did pass was horrible. most likely D's or C's
Class Name, Credits, Grade

Current ACE, CLEP, or NCCRS Credits:
Sophia Algebra and Introduction to IT
Provider Total Credits: #
Class Name, Credits, Grade

Any certifications or military experience? 
Coursera,
Google Cloud Data analytics professional Certificate
Google It Support Professional Certificate
Google Data Analytics Professional certificate
Google Advance Data Analytics Professional Certificate
CompTia (Trifecta network +, security+, A+) CCNA, Cloud+

Budget:15000 a semester
Commitments: Cybersecurity job working remote but my job is not stressful, No family , in a relationship. 
Dedicated time to study: 6-8
Timeline: As soon as possible
Tuition assistance/reimbursement: N/A

[bjcheung77]

Welcome to the board, great initial post with the addendum and template! Did you check any Certified Anesthesiologist Assistant Programs to make sure it just requires a Bachelors? There may be some other requirements in the state, I would make sure of getting the Bachelors in addition to any extra classes such as the sciences. Find two/three programs and verify their requirements, then update this thread with your findings... If you just need a check the box Bachelors for entry, then UMPI BLS would be my recommendation for now.

[Stonybeach]

I would get accepted to a local RN program with the fastest track to license (ASN program). Focus on working in critical care/ICU. Earn a BSN with a few chemistry courses then apply to CRNA school.

CRNA versus AA. The CRNA doesn't restrict you from practicing in a limited number of States. Currently, 19 states accept AA. See: https://www.anesthetist.org/certifcation-practice-map

I'm just a CNP and can tell you the CRNA makes big $$!

[Hotdogman1]

I would get accepted to a local RN program with the fastest track to license (ASN program). Focus on working in critical care/ICU. Earn a BSN with a few chemistry courses then apply to CRNA school.

CRNA versus AA. The CRNA doesn't restrict you from practicing in a limited number of States. Currently, 19 states accept AA. See: https://www.anesthetist.org/certifcation-practice-map

I'm just a CNP and can tell you the CRNA makes big $$!

I looked into CRNA's when I was looking into Medical-related graduate schools and discarded it because the of the required effort, time frame, and lack of practical work experience that arises if you accelerate. (I already had a Bachelor's and all the generic medical prereqs completed at the time)

First, I would have to find an RN program without a long wait list (2 semester wait time to start in my area) and test in. Once I got in, I would have to do clinicals and pass the NCLEX while doing the program full time to graduate on pace (~1.5-2 years). (OP would probably have to quick that nifty remote job)

Then as an RN, I would need to do a ~1.5-2 year RN to BSN program. I looked at a couple CRNA school prerequisites and they seemed to require a 1-2 years of intensive care unit experience. So I would need to get a full time job as a ICU nurse (Is that even possible? I thought new RN’s started bedside) while doing the BSN program full time. I would also need to get a good score on the GRE and satisfy a bunch of other bare minimum requirements. This is without taking into account the fact that admission into CRNA schools are very competitive. Then if I magically get into CRNA school, it is then surviving 2-3 years of graduate level courses. So 6 years if my Will and Luck stats increases 3x, but realistically 8 years. I could skip the RN and jump straight into an ABSN program (1-1.5 years) since I already have a Bachelor's. However, it doesn't really save a meaningful amount of time since I need the ICU experience but wouldn't be able to work while going to school as the RN was skipped.

Either way, there is a fundamental issue with accelerating like that: I would still be a CRNA that has ~2 years RN/BSN work experience with no bedside experience. I would be a male in a female dominated career with 6-8 years of education (+tens of thousands in student debt), but still manage to be less capable than an experienced RN.

[Stonybeach]

No one can sugarcoat the pathway to becoming an AA, CRNA! Taking a Sophia course or a CLEP exam does not cut it! Plain and simple, it is a rigorous program with a competitive admission process. The only alternative is attending medical school and getting accepted into an anesthesiology residency program. It requires hard work and sacrifice! I believe the OP understands this, having a few years of experience as an anesthesia technician.

Regarding your comment about males in a "female-dominated" career, that is not an issue, and it reflects the ignorant conceptions so many have about the nursing profession. News flash: Nurses no longer breastfeed babies! As a male nurse and nurse practitioner for the past 30 years, I feel professionalism is key, and there are hundreds of specialties in which to find a niche in nursing where one can be happy. It has been a great career, and I wouldn't change a thing!

[Hotdogman1]

No one can sugarcoat the pathway to becoming an AA, CRNA! Taking a Sophia course or a CLEP exam does not cut it! Plain and simple, it is a rigorous program with a competitive admission process. The only alternative is attending medical school and getting accepted into an anesthesiology residency program. It requires hard work and sacrifice! I believe the OP understands this, having a few years of experience as an anesthesia technician.

Regarding your comment about males in a "female-dominated" career, that is not an issue, and it reflects the ignorant conceptions so many have about the nursing profession. News flash: Nurses no longer breastfeed babies! As a male nurse and nurse practitioner for the past 30 years, I feel professionalism is key, and there are hundreds of specialties in which to find a niche in nursing where one can be happy. It has been a great career, and I wouldn't change a thing!

The criticism of the “female-dominated” comment I made is fair. I was mainly interested in Audiology, Optometry, and CAA school. Due to the fact these programs had similar course prerequisite requirements, I was in a position where I could apply any within a year. I looked into CRNA because of the similarity with CAA, but I would be realistically 4 years off before I met the minimum requirements for the program so I didn't look into it further after researching the pathways and outcomes. My friend is a NP and she told me her program was mostly female, but I shouldn't have just assumed that applied to the rest of the industry or to CRNAs at all.

A few points though.
I wrote my post because I felt your initial post was sugarcoating and oversimplifying the process. Where did you get "a few years of experience as an anesthesia technician" from OP's post?
"Commitments: Cybersecurity job working remote but my job is not stressful, No family , in a relationship."

When I mentioned 'accelerating' in my post, I never once mentioned CLEP or Sophia. It was from the context that if you "accelerate" the education and complete everything within 6-8 years, you will lack practical RN experience.

[Duneranger]

I would get accepted to a local RN program with the fastest track to license (ASN program). Focus on working in critical care/ICU. Earn a BSN with a few chemistry courses then apply to CRNA school.

CRNA versus AA. The CRNA doesn't restrict you from practicing in a limited number of States. Currently, 19 states accept AA. See: https://www.anesthetist.org/certifcation-practice-map

I'm just a CNP and can tell you the CRNA makes big $$!

I looked into CRNA's when I was looking into Medical-related graduate schools and discarded it because the of the required effort, time frame, and lack of practical work experience that arises if you accelerate. (I already had a Bachelor's and all the generic medical prereqs completed at the time)

First, I would have to find an RN program without a long wait list (2 semester wait time to start in my area) and test in. Once I got in, I would have to do clinicals and pass the NCLEX while doing the program full time to graduate on pace (~1.5-2 years). (OP would probably have to quick that nifty remote job)

Then as an RN, I would need to do a ~1.5-2 year RN to BSN program. I looked at a couple CRNA school prerequisites and they seemed to require a 1-2 years of intensive care unit experience. So I would need to get a full time job as a ICU nurse (Is that even possible? I thought new RN’s started bedside) while doing the BSN program full time. I would also need to get a good score on the GRE and satisfy a bunch of other bare minimum requirements. This is without taking into account the fact that admission into CRNA schools are very competitive. Then if I magically get into CRNA school, it is then surviving 2-3 years of graduate level courses. So 6 years if my Will and Luck stats increases 3x, but realistically 8 years. I could skip the RN and jump straight into an ABSN program (1-1.5 years) since I already have a Bachelor's. However, it doesn't really save a meaningful amount of time since I need the ICU experience but wouldn't be able to work while going to school as the RN was skipped.

Either way, there is a fundamental issue with accelerating like that: I would still be a CRNA that has ~2 years RN/BSN work experience with no bedside experience. I would be a male in a female dominated career with 6-8 years of education (+tens of thousands in student debt), but still manage to be less capable than an experienced RN.

This is not true at all for CRNAs. The field is about 50/50. Ask me how I know. Its the highest paid nursing field, and CRNAs are heavily used in the military which tends to draw men more.

Anyways the AA/CRNA/MDA world is EXTREMELY political.  AA can only practice in a handful of states. Mostly the South where pay is garbage (comparatively) and you arent treated well IMO. The South is notoriously hierarchal with regard to healthcare.

Now there is more legislation pushing AAs into other states (WA etc) but a lot of opposition from CRNAs. Personally I think its wild that AAs can walk in from the street and practice anesthesia in 2 years but that's just me. Being a AA, you will always be under a MD's thumb. Maybe it's not a big deal starting out but it will wear on you when you always have to follow THEIR plan no matter what your thoughts are on the case.

Yes, CRNA requires at least 1-2 ICU years but most have 3-5 and or other advanced nursing degrees (nurse practitioner etc). You can start in the ICU straightaway nowadays

Nothing in life is quick or easy...

[Stonybeach]

You are correct about "extremely political." The Anesthesiologists (MDs) in my state will not give clinical rotations to CRNA students.

Thanks for mentioning the AA pathway and a "2-year program." I had no idea it was that short. The CRNA path is 30 months or more (Post RN/BSN), with many programs now at the doctoral level, adding further scholarly projects, more semesters, and higher costs!

The AA may be the way to go if one is not a nurse and already holds a bachelor's degree with medical prerequisites. Thanks for mentioning the limits to AA licensure. Degreeforum is a good forum, but it is not yet a forum where you can get good professional medical or healthcare educational advice. I remember reading the OP mentioning they had anesthesia technician experience, but the post was edited. I need to develop a habit of quoting the posts. Good luck to the OP, and I would recommend speaking to anesthesiologists, CRNAs, and AAs to answer further questions. I doubt many medical professionals frequent this forum. Perhaps PA forum folks can get you steered in the right direction.
https://www.physicianassistantforum.com/...equisites/

[LopsiddedMind84]

Thank you everyone for the advice and i really mean it, So the goal is to switch from doing application task in the hospital using epic software and then the general support engineer. Once In a while i will come in to help mentor new colleagues and have them understand what is going on with our unit. I was an anesthesiologist Tech before switching to the IT side because it paid better almost 10 years ago now. I really want to go through with this, I am a senior analyst here in this role and always admire the Doctors and CRNA, AA's but most of all they really love what they are doing and filled fulfillment. That Chinese proverb when asking when is the best time to making that switchThe best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

 I am not getting any younger. If anyone does consultation please let me know. I was looking at TESU ABSN but as someone mention it will be 2 years, then 2 years of ICU and then 3 years of doctorate school as a Doctor of Nurse Anthesisa 




The CAA route does Required is a Bachelor Degree
Also 
Gre/Mcats is needed in order.

In order for this I need to maintain a utmost perfect GPA 4.0 and a SGPA4.0  and hit all my prerequisites 

• Biology with Lab - 1 year
  
  
• General Chemistry with Lab - 1 year
  
  
• Organic Chemistry with Lab - 1 year
  
  
• Biochemistry - 1 semester
  
  
• Anatomy (lab may be required)- 1 semester
  
  
• Human Physiology (lab may be required) - 1 semester
  
  
• Physics with Lab - 1 year
  
  
• English - 1 semester 
  
  
• Calculus - 1 semester 
  
  • Most programs do not accept survey courses, such as MTH 124. It is recommended to take MTH 132 (Calculus I). 
    
• [size=undefined]Statistics - 1 semester (preferably life science)[/size]
  

[Duneranger]

Thank you everyone for the advice and i really mean it, So the goal is to switch from doing application task in the hospital using epic software and then the general support engineer. Once In a while i will come in to help mentor new colleagues and have them understand what is going on with our unit. I was an anesthesiologist Tech before switching to the IT side because it paid better almost 10 years ago now. I really want to go through with this, I am a senior analyst here in this role and always admire the Doctors and CRNA, AA's but most of all they really love what they are doing and filled fulfillment. That Chinese proverb when asking when is the best time to making that switchThe best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.

 I am not getting any younger. If anyone does consultation please let me know. I was looking at TESU ABSN but as someone mention it will be 2 years, then 2 years of ICU and then 3 years of doctorate school as a Doctor of Nurse Anthesisa 




The CAA route does Required is a Bachelor Degree
Also 
Gre/Mcats is needed in order.

In order for this I need to maintain a utmost perfect GPA 4.0 and a SGPA4.0  and hit all my prerequisites 

• Biology with Lab - 1 year
  
  
• General Chemistry with Lab - 1 year
  
  
• Organic Chemistry with Lab - 1 year
  
  
• Biochemistry - 1 semester
  
  
• Anatomy (lab may be required)- 1 semester
  
  
• Human Physiology (lab may be required) - 1 semester
  
  
• Physics with Lab - 1 year
  
  
• English - 1 semester 
  
  
• Calculus - 1 semester 
  
  • Most programs do not accept survey courses, such as MTH 124. It is recommended to take MTH 132 (Calculus I). 
    
• [size=undefined]Statistics - 1 semester (preferably life science)[/size]
  

If you are set on being an AA, all of these classes will need to be taken at a CC or local uni. AA schools are still SUPER competitive and you are competing against others who will have done the trad route.. Get your BA/BS from TESU or UMPI but do all of these pre req classes IN PERSON.

You can't accelerate these core pre med type classes