Advice please for Best Degree for CAA Route

[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...