advice please

Berliner · Jan 30, 2004

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.:)

meandragonbrett · Jan 30, 2004

Originally posted by mulzii
I'm making a career change and switching from tech world to CRNA. I picked the most alternative route. I'm going to do the MSN in nursing at Depaul University for 2 years and after 1 year of CIU, I'll apply for post-graduate Anesthesia program? Is there anybody took this route? Please advise? I'm planning to apply to Bradley or Depaul's Anethesia program. Are there any advantages/disadvantages going through this route?

Thanks in advance. Any advice will be welcomed.

M

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

mulzii · Jan 30, 2004

Thank you very much for your response. I'm in Illinois and I've checked with the CRNA program director, the school I want to go Bradley University. She told me that I can continue my post graduate in as a CRNA. But your experience will help me to discover it further.

Keep in touch. Are you a CRNA now?

loisane · Jan 30, 2004

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

mulzii · Jan 30, 2004

Hi Loisane,

Thank you for your response. But what do you mean by traditional MSN program. Please give me more detailed information. The program I'm going into is to Depaul University and they have an accelarated Master's in Nursing and their program has combined undergrad and graduate nursing courses and have about 830 clinical hours. As they mentioned on their website ths program is directly for students who are intend to do their post graduate degree in something particular.

Thanks again

Mai

loisane · Jan 30, 2004

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

mulzii · Jan 30, 2004

No, what I meant is that it's 2 years MSN program but graduates can continue their post graduate program.

Berliner · Feb 1, 2004

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!

mulzii · Feb 2, 2004

Thank you very much, Berliner.

I really appreciate your comment and encouragement. Are you a CRNA?

CRNA, DNSc · Feb 2, 2004

For the RN with an MSN- you have two options.

1. Go to a program that does not grant an MSN and earn a second Masters degree.

2. Go to a program that has a Post-Masters Certificate in Anesthesia option.

You can find out who has a Post- Masters option by going to the AANA.com website and click on accredited programs. Each program listing includes degrees granted and if they have a Post-Master certificate it would be listed there. Good Luck:)

Berliner · Feb 3, 2004

Not a CRNA yet, still aspiring..