[butterflyeffect]

I will be starting a Family Nurse Practitioner program in the Fall of this year. My school I will be attending offers a post professional certificate to become a CRNA. My question is based on your personal experience or personal knowledge how should I go about proceeding to become a CRNA after I get done with my FNP? Should I do the post certificate, should I try to go onto a DNP with a specialty in anesthesia, should I work part time in an ICU while finishing up my FNP (the school allows you to finish up your masters on a part time basis after the first year when you get your RN...it is a direct entry program that is three years long...RN first then the master's portion) and then apply to a CRNA program?

I definitely want the FNP so I do not want to drop that to go for the CRNA...I have just been doing a lot of research on the CRNA and find it to be very interesting...I am not set on the CRNA yet but just wanted to find out what paths would be available to me after getting my FNP should I want to pursue the CRNA. Thanks!

[neurogeek]

Just curious....by why bother becoming an FNP if you are just going to turn around and become a CRNA? These are 2 entirely different disciplines and do not have intersecting paths. In order to maintain your FNP you will be required to work a certain number of hours per year in that role. How do you propose to do that if you are employed as a CRNA? Seems to me that you need to make a choice between the 2. If you are really serious about CRNA then you should pursue that path instead. Shadow a CRNA and see if it's really what you want. Also, you will need to work FT in an ICU for at least a year to apply. Good luck

[tamuccnurse]

which school do you go to?

[butterflyeffect]

I was wondering if there were any CRNA's out there that started as an FNP? When did you know you wanted to be a CRNA and what path did you take to get there? Thanks for any and all responses/advice.

[butterflyeffect]

Originally Posted by neurogeek

Just curious....by why bother becoming an FNP if you are just going to turn around and become a CRNA? These are 2 entirely different disciplines and do not have intersecting paths. In order to maintain your FNP you will be required to work a certain number of hours per year in that role. How do you propose to do that if you are employed as a CRNA? Seems to me that you need to make a choice between the 2. If you are really serious about CRNA then you should pursue that path instead. Shadow a CRNA and see if it's really what you want. Also, you will need to work FT in an ICU for at least a year to apply. Good luck

Because I have no prior experience as a nurse and in order to attend school I will need to attend a direct entry nursing program at the masters level as I am unable to borrow money for a lower level degree ( I already have two BA's). I could do an AA then work as an RN but in CA almost all schools are on the lottery system (so no guarantee when I would get in) and almost every school has different pre-req's for applying...usually a pre-req that must be taken at that particular school...if I wanted to apply to enough AA programs to have a reasonable chance of getting in based on a lottery system I would be taking pre-req's forever...not to mention the longer I am taking pre-req's for these programs then I will have to start retaking my pre-req's as the older pre-req's will have expired...most schools will not take the pre-req's after a certain time has passed (who wants to take chemistry, physics, and organic all over again and 8 semester hours of each no less?)

So, I opted for this program as it accepted me (big selling point ), provided me with the financial aid I need to complete the program and have enough money to live(no small matter in the Bay Area), and has an excellent reputation and believe it or not a 100% pass rate. Also, I am not certain if I want to do the CRNA route yet. I only just recently began researching it and that was after two years of trying to get into ANY program. I am still uncertain as to whether it would be a good fit but I am interested in learning more...I was mainly interested in knowing if being an FNP would hinder me if I did decide somewhere down the line that I was interested enough to pursue it or if there are others out there who have started out in one direction and they were able to change course after a few years as an FNP.

I know I will enjoy being an FNP so I am happy with my choice and being accepted. I just want to know how flexible my path is should experience be the better teacher.

[Ventjock]

are there any DE ACNP programs out there?

that may be another option.

[neurogeek]

So, let me get this straight....you aren't an RN? This program will allow you to receive your post-bacc RN? Ok, I'm not familiar with those programs. Also, if you get an AA you can work as an RN in CA? I'm confused on how that would work. AA's and RN's aren't interchangable where I come from! I see why you are taking this path now. Problem for you....if you become an FNP & decide you really want to be a CRNA u will have to work FT in an ICU doing bedside nursing for at least 1 year. Plan carefully.....

[neurogeek]

Oops! when you said AA u didn't mean anesthesia assistant right but rather associates of arts? Duh! Yeh, u could do the AA but and then work ICU, then apply for CRNA.

[nurselizk]

There are direct-entry MSN programs at some schools that allow a person without a nursing degree to earn a BSN and MSN together, then sit for the NCLEX. Keep in mind that if that's the route you're considering toward CRNA, that some schools that grant an MSN are not approved to grant a post-masters certificate to someone who already has an MSN. Contact the schools you are interested in to see whether it would be an issue.

[ICUdropout]

I am Finishing FNP school this next month and start CRNA school in the Fall. It was my back up when I didn't get into CRNA school initially. I noticed that 6 of the 8 people I knew, that had gotten into CRNA school had their Masters degree prior, so I did this.

To my knowledge there is no requirement to practice a certain number of hours to maintain your certification as a FNP. At least in California.

You will know what is right for you by the time you finish your MSN and have shadowed a CRNA for a few shifts. I was pondering what I could do as a FNP to get me into CRNA school if I hadn't gotten in this time. I was offered jobs in pulmonary/critical care, neurosurgery, trauma, emergency medicine, and cardiology. I decided I was just going work as a staff nurse full time and FNP part time, because the training period would be awhile and I wouldn't want to ditch a group of intensivists that spend a year training me before I gave them a return on their investment. Luckly I got into CRNA shool and I may never practice as a FNP and I am ok with it.