How unusual is it for a nurse anesthesia program to grant a degree in a discipline other than nursing?
This is not at all unusual. Nurse anesthesia has a history of recognizing a diversity of degrees. The standards of the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) do not require that programs grant nursing degrees. Many practicing CRNAs around the country have degrees in fields other than nursing. If any state chose to not recognize these non-nursing degrees, a large number of CRNAs would not be eligible to practice in that state. While any state regulating agency has the power to make such a limitation, the implications for delivery of anesthesia care during times of provider shortage would be a significant issue.
