questions

[LookForward]

i have an AAS in Nursing, and am currently in an rn to bsn program on campus.

I would just like to know what a typical day is like as a CRNA and...what courses do you recommend taking while still in undergrad.

I saw some colleges require stats, physics and organic/biochem. Did these undergrad courses help you in crna school? I might consider taking these courses before graduating.

Thanks!

[ckh23, BSN, RN]

Different programs have different requirements. You can check the websites of programs you may be interested in. However the extra courses that are required in addition to the anesthesia courses are Master level courses so you would not be able to complete them as an undergrad. Most CRNA programs have a waiting list once you have been accepted into a program. Most of the CRNA's I know used the waiting list time to knock out those other courses so that they wouldn't be extremely overwhelmed when the program actually started.

[nifrn]

HI,

Many nurses are attracted to CRNA. A lot of them make more money than doctors and who wouldn't want that. With that being said, CRNA programs are extremely competitive as much or more than a lot of medical schools. You would have to be in the very top of your BSN class with a strong chemistry background(as well as outstanding chemistry grades). Strong GRE scores etc as well. After BSN program, you are require to have at least two years critical care experience(someone told me some schools are one but idk). You might be able to get in a critical care unit as a new grad, I don't know. Then you apply. A lot of candidates are NPs, MSN etc. I actually have known quite a few NPs who have been applying to a CRNA program for two years now. CRNA is a three year long program, very intense.

The only thing attractive to me about CRNA is the salary. I have no desire to put people to sleep and wake them up but that is me. I'm sure there is more to it than that but in a nut shell it is anesthesia. Contact a University with a program and see what prereqs. you need. If this is what you want then go for it but be realistic. If you are not a strong A student(and there is nothing wrong with that), then don't spend years struggling through the pre-reqs you don't need. Add up the years you have left just to get your BSN and the necessary sciences. then the CC experience and then 3 years of CRNA school. that is all I know. but best to go to the source, the university

[sfhdweb]

Different programs have different requirements. You can check the websites of programs you may be interested in. However the extra courses that are required in addition to the anesthesia courses are Master level courses so you would not be able to complete them as an undergrad. Most CRNA programs have a waiting list once you have been accepted into a program. Most of the CRNA's I know used the waiting list time to knock out those other courses so that they wouldn't be extremely overwhelmed when the program actually started.

Thanks for your suggestions