I wouldnt even go as far as call BSN a background. BSN is like the BA that the AA applicant has in order to even be eligible to apply to AA school. So if u wanna talk background lets talk above the BA level. 2 yrs MA program for AA and 2yrs NA program. So where is the difference? And dont bring up the ICU experience. I got ICU experience as a CNA in a trauma I facility and I will not begin to count it towards anesthesia. The ICU is just another hoop that Nursing makes you jump through since they specialise in bottle necking their applicants so that there will always be a shortage and then they can wring the balls of MEDICARE and demand unrealistic practice rights.