Having 1 year in the ICU may indeed make a transition to the world of anesthesia easier. However, I am in an AA program with students who used to be EMTs, PAs, RTs, and Perfusionists. Experience in those professions is also beneficial for anesthesia school (if not more so than 1 year of nursing). As far as the boards are concerned...AAs and MDAs have to recertify. CRNAs do not. You see that as an advantage and not a patient safety issue?