PLEASE HELP!!! ASN to CRNA??

[crazybumblebee]

Hello,

I am kind of confused on how the process works to become a CRNA. I graduated from a 4 year University with a degree other than Nursing. I am now on my last semester of pre requisites for the nursing major at a community college and will be applying to nursing schools at the end of this semester. I OWE A LOT OF MONEY from the University that that I attended, and I am unsure of my financial aid status since I have already graduated with a bachelors. I was thinking of applying to Associates Degree RN programs to get my licensure and then apply to a Masters program to become a CRNA. But I am not sure if I would need to get a BSN first. My question is:

1] Should I go straight to an Entry Level BSN-MSN program that will cost about $50,000 per year to get my RN license or should I do a Associates Degree for 2 years and pay about $5,000 then apply to a CRNA program [if there are any].

2] Are there any good direct ASN-CRNA programs or ASN-NP programs in California?? [NP is also one of the options that I was looking at].

3] How long will all of this schooling take me if i do ASN-BSN/MSN to BSN/MSN-CRNA?

4] Are online programs reliable in finding a job after graduation?

I am tryingn to weigh out all of the options before I apply to schools. I would like to know what is the most inexpensive route, and which route is the fastest?

PLEASE HELP!!

THANK YOU

[CuriousMe]

Since you know where you want to end up (CRNA), have you spoken to any CRNA programs that you're interested in and asked them what kind of preparation they want their applicants to have?

(ie, do you just need a bachelors or is an RN and a bachelors in something else just as good)

I do know that most CRNA programs require a year or two of experience in ICU.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Moved to the CRNA forum for more specific feedback.

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

That's an interesting question, I was under the assumption that you had to have your BSN first before applying to any anesthesia program, though it would be interesting to see if one did have some kind of ASN/ADN option. With the amount of student loans you already have, and the additional amount you will need to take out to become a CRNA, I would not recommend the $50,000 a year program. That is going to be a massive amount of money to take out, even when considering the high salary of a nurse anesthesist.

[JStyles1]

I have never seen a CRNA program that did not require a BSN first, then 1-2 years ICU experience.

My recommendation for you would be to do the ADN, then do an ADN to BSN bridge program, work ICU for awhile so you can get your CCRN, then apply to CRNA school. This will probably be your cheapest way out since you can work to pay off stuff while you're getting experience for school.

[Jubilayhee]

Most CRNA programs require a BSN but some accept a BS with an ASN.

[missbutton]

There are no direct entry CRNA programs. All CRNA programs require a BSN and several years of critical care experience. All programs have their admission criteria on their website.

[Crux1024]

Also, a few years of critical care experience is generally needed before applying to CRNA programs, so youll have to fit those in somewhere.

I've never heard of an ASN-CRNA program...if you find one, let me know.

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

Actually, I did a little looking into the anethesia program closest to me and it looks like they don't require a BSN, but will accept a BS in a closely related field, in addition to the critical care experience. I can only imagine that they have a number of science classes that must be completed that may have not been taken for the ASN though.

[sugarlesssweetie]

Many programs will accept an ASN with a BS in a science. I know this because I was in the same position as the OP and researched things thoroughly. I ended up using the time in the ICU to complete an online RN-BSN program. I figured that, since I needed the ICU time anyways, I'd be constructive and do something that allowed me to apply to any program I chose. Check out http://www.aana.com for a list of their accredited schools. If you go to each individual website, the school lists the degree requirements under the admissions tab.

[loveanesthesia]

You must have a bachelor's degree, and you must be an RN to apply to a CRNA program. Some will require a BSN. Have you considered an accelerated BSN prgram? research the threads on here and will find a lot of information on that route.

[crazybumblebee]

thank you everyone for your help!