agree, ur advisor is an idiot. i personally dont talk to advisors. i go straight to the source all the time. call the school ur intersted in and find out, all the schools should take it. the PD at NOVA is a former RT, so the RRT credential should be smiled upon.
i too am in RT school, will graduate next yr with a BS in respiratory care aka "cardiopulm science". im in texas and looking to perhaps to become an AA after working a few years in the field as a RRT. and i agree alot of what we are learning is closely intertwined with anesthesia and critical care. good luck