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Aaliyah
Student
Lake Jackson, Texas
1
Question
Updated
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What are all the steps I would need to take to start my career off as a Nurse Practitioner but later transition into a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?
I have already got my Certified Clinical Medical Assistant certification and I am also wondering how I can apply this to my future career. I would like to come out of nursing school being a Nurse Practitioner and I want to know how long this might take. I would also like to know how long it might take me to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
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1 answer
Susana Abena Appiah
MIDWIFE
67
Answers
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Updated
Susana Abena’s Answer
Hello Aaliyah, thanks for the question.
Starting as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and later transitioning to a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is ambitious but definitely possible. Let’s break it down step by step, including how your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) background can help and how long each phase might take.
Step-by-Step Path to Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP)
1. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Time: ~4 years (or less if you do an accelerated program and already have some college credits)
Goal: Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
Your CCMA certification may not shorten your BSN path, but it gives you a strong healthcare foundation — and can help you get into nursing school or work part-time in a clinical setting while in school.
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN
Time: Prep and test ~2-3 months
Goal: Obtain your RN license
3. Work as a Registered Nurse
Time: 1-2 years of experience is often required for NP programs
Goal: Gain clinical experience (especially in areas you're interested in, like family practice or pediatrics)
4. Earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Time:
MSN: ~2-3 years
DNP: ~3-4 years (more advanced but increasingly common)
Goal: Graduate as a Nurse Practitioner (you'll choose a specialty like Family NP, Pediatric NP, etc.)
At this point, you're a Nurse Practitioner!
Total Time from Today (Starting BSN): 7–9 years
How to Transition from NP to CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
Here’s the truth: NP and CRNA are separate advanced practice roles, so being an NP won’t shorten your path to CRNA. You’ll need to go through the CRNA requirements independently, and the key eligibility requirement is ICU experience.
1. Work as an RN in an ICU Setting
Time: At least 1 year, but 2–3 years is more competitive
Goal: Hands-on experience with critically ill patients (ICU only!)
This means even if you go the NP route first, you’d still need to go back and work in the ICU before applying for CRNA school.
2. Apply to a Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP or DNP in Nurse Anesthesia)
Time: 3 years (full-time)
Admission is very competitive and requires strong ICU experience, high GPA, and sometimes GRE scores.
Time Comparison
Goal Total Time (Estimate)
Nurse Practitioner 7–9 years
CRNA (direct route) 7–8 years (skip NP, go RN → ICU → CRNA)
NP → CRNA 10+ years (due to backtracking for ICU hours and second grad school)
How Your CCMA Helps
You already understand medical procedures, patient care, and EHR systems — huge plus!
Use it to work part-time during school or in healthcare environments that align with your goals (e.g., ICU, anesthesia clinics, family medicine)
Mention it in nursing school applications to show commitment to the healthcare field
Suggested optional Plan
Start BSN immediately (or ADN if planning to bridge to BSN fast)
Consider if you’d rather pursue CRNA first instead of NP, since it’s more direct
Gain ICU experience early if CRNA is your long-term goal
Stay flexible — you may decide on one path more firmly once you gain clinical exposure
Best of Luck, Aaliyah
Starting as a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and later transitioning to a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) is ambitious but definitely possible. Let’s break it down step by step, including how your Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) background can help and how long each phase might take.
Step-by-Step Path to Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP)
1. Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Time: ~4 years (or less if you do an accelerated program and already have some college credits)
Goal: Become a Registered Nurse (RN)
Your CCMA certification may not shorten your BSN path, but it gives you a strong healthcare foundation — and can help you get into nursing school or work part-time in a clinical setting while in school.
2. Pass the NCLEX-RN
Time: Prep and test ~2-3 months
Goal: Obtain your RN license
3. Work as a Registered Nurse
Time: 1-2 years of experience is often required for NP programs
Goal: Gain clinical experience (especially in areas you're interested in, like family practice or pediatrics)
4. Earn a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Time:
MSN: ~2-3 years
DNP: ~3-4 years (more advanced but increasingly common)
Goal: Graduate as a Nurse Practitioner (you'll choose a specialty like Family NP, Pediatric NP, etc.)
At this point, you're a Nurse Practitioner!
Total Time from Today (Starting BSN): 7–9 years
How to Transition from NP to CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist)
Here’s the truth: NP and CRNA are separate advanced practice roles, so being an NP won’t shorten your path to CRNA. You’ll need to go through the CRNA requirements independently, and the key eligibility requirement is ICU experience.
1. Work as an RN in an ICU Setting
Time: At least 1 year, but 2–3 years is more competitive
Goal: Hands-on experience with critically ill patients (ICU only!)
This means even if you go the NP route first, you’d still need to go back and work in the ICU before applying for CRNA school.
2. Apply to a Doctor of Nursing Anesthesia Practice (DNAP or DNP in Nurse Anesthesia)
Time: 3 years (full-time)
Admission is very competitive and requires strong ICU experience, high GPA, and sometimes GRE scores.
Time Comparison
Goal Total Time (Estimate)
Nurse Practitioner 7–9 years
CRNA (direct route) 7–8 years (skip NP, go RN → ICU → CRNA)
NP → CRNA 10+ years (due to backtracking for ICU hours and second grad school)
How Your CCMA Helps
You already understand medical procedures, patient care, and EHR systems — huge plus!
Use it to work part-time during school or in healthcare environments that align with your goals (e.g., ICU, anesthesia clinics, family medicine)
Mention it in nursing school applications to show commitment to the healthcare field
Suggested optional Plan
Start BSN immediately (or ADN if planning to bridge to BSN fast)
Consider if you’d rather pursue CRNA first instead of NP, since it’s more direct
Gain ICU experience early if CRNA is your long-term goal
Stay flexible — you may decide on one path more firmly once you gain clinical exposure
Best of Luck, Aaliyah