Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 1/9/2010

Question
I have a question, I am debating between going to school to become an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist. The question I have is, in taking classes do the two titles relate? If i become and nurse anesthetist and later on decide to get my MD , is it a whole another playing field or is it only a few classes extra? I am trying to figure out the difference in classes between the two.  

Answer
There is a big difference between the 2 and you can't just go from one to the other. CRNA is a 4yr college degree in nursing, 2 yrs working in an ICU and 2 yrs of CRNA school. MD anesthesia is 4 yrs college, 4 yrs medical school and 4 yrs residency training.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston