I have been a CRNA for over 20 years. Here is bottom line. When a person asks me about anesthesia career, I explain that if they only want to practice in a large hospital AA is a viable option. But, if you do not get in AA school you have a science degree that may or may not have a job market. Both schools are very hard to get into, and odds are against someone getting in EITHER! If a career as a nurse is a viable option that they would enjoy, or if they want to practice independent go CRNA route. If nursing is the last thing they want to do, and independence is not what they think they want, then AA is a good option. Both are respected professions. AA are regulated by MEDICAL BOARDS, they will never allow independent practice. I have seen how much trouble CRNA's have dealing with nursing boards. As someone said, 95% of time the two are interchangeable. But,for the non physician provider who wants to make the most money and have the greatest buying power CRNA is the only route. Those of us in rural practice make in excess of $200,000 per year in areas with average incomes of less than $30,000.00.