advice please

I did the bachelors in something else/ accelerated masters program and have had some difficulty. I went to a pre-admissions counseling session for Cal State Fullerton's (CSUF) CRNA program and my first response was that it was going to be a problem even though I could prove that I had taken all the BSN courses (in fact, I had to in order to sit for the Ca BRN boards and to continue onto the masters portion). After typing out my BSN portion of my classes with corresponding GPA and a letter from the head of the program, I still had to wait while the department head at CSUF tried to figure out how I was going to apply.

On the other hand, I don't know how worth it it is to take another bachelors program (nursing). In Cali, you get hit hard for "double dipping" - ie each credit is substantially more. If anything, CSUF has gotten to know my name in all these struggles and that I am determined- that can't be all bad.

If you've already got a bachelors in another field, you could attend an ADN program then get into the ICU. There are a few schools that do not require a BSN.

Brett

Be very careful if you get a MSN before going to anesthesia school. As I understand it, you would not be eligible for the traditional programs that grant a MSN.

So one choice, would be to go to a school that grants a different master's. But if you are going to do that, why get a MSN first? You can go to those programs with a non-nursing bachelor's.

The other choice would be to go to a post degree completion program. There are a few anesthesia programs, that grant a MSN, that have specific programs set up to accept people who already have that degree. I don't think there are many, but they do exist.

loisane crna

Hmmm- if DePaul has told you that their accelerated program includes anesthesia, then that is fine.

But if a nurse gets a MSN, and THEN later decides to go to anesthesia school, they will not be eligible to attend any program that grants a MSN. Because they already have that degree, and you cannot earn it twice.

If you are in a program where you become a nurse anesthetist, and earn a MSN while doing so, then you do not have that problem.

loisane crna

Good luck to you Mulzii.
It is great that you are looking into this now. Don't be tricked by your program telling you that it is designed for those who want to specialize. I did that same thing at SFSU thinking I would go onto be a NP. It would have only helped me if I wanted to be a Family NP and only through their program.
I am glad I went into nursing, but my attitude toward what I want to do has changed and having the MSN has NOT helped. As Luisane (?) has mentioned, there may not be many who accept a MSN- I think it is that a) they don't know what to do with you (again there may be some programs that allow you to enter after all the theory) and b) want you to have the MSN curriculum taught to you THEIR way.
Keep plugging away, ask about specifics regarding your program and what a MSN might mean to you should you not stay at the same school, and more importantly- keep a record off all you conversations!