GO the AA route. It makes the most sense for you.The downside is the following:
1. The AANA is the BEST lobbying machine in Nursing. Thus, you get more "rights" earned by politics and NOT education. Your education as an AA is equal or greater than a CRNA but you have a "weak" poltical organization, the AAAA, due to fewer numbers of AA's.
2. CRNA's can get work in almost every location.
AA's (due to CRNA's like DD and the AANA) are limited to 15-16 States. This limits work opportunities.
3. Again due to the AANA CRNA's are BILLING MACHINES for MDA Groups so they may limit the number of AA's in the practice. For example, a CRNA can do a GI case out of the O.R. without direct supervision.
4. The AANA hates AA's and promotes this hatred among its membership (like DD). You will have to deal with that at times.
5. If Socialized Medicine occurs the CRNA (due to the AANA lobbying machine) seems to in a better position than the AA. The AAAA will need to step up efforts and produce more numbers to counter the AANA.
