Anxious teen

solneeshka, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2009

CRNA programs require a couple of years of critical care exerience as an RN before you can apply. So at this early point, your best move would probably be to get a job as an aide in an ICU or ER. This might have to wait a bit, I'm not sure they hire people in high school for those kinds of jobs! But to have the best chances of getting hired once you're old enough, any kind of volunteer work you can do in the healthcare field would help.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2009

Best wishes. Look into becoming a CNA or Patient Care Tech. Here we train them on the job, but it's hard for high school students to get a job.

The other job might be what they call "Patient Attendent" or what we call a sitter. It's a way to get your foot in the door. Basically you sit and attend to patients one-on-one who are are suicide watch, or need watching because of confusion.

Good luck!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2009

Just curious, but being only a junior in highschool, what appleals to you about being a CRNA? Have you researched to find out what exactly being a CRNA entails?

Young-one · Apr 27, 2009

Oh yes, I have studied very extensively! Being an anesthesiologist would be great but a CRNA seems like it would fit the lifestyle I want to have much better. And the way I look at it is, people can say they want to be a cop and firefighter, what's so weird about wanting to be a crna?

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Apr 28, 2009

Oh yes, I have studied very extensively! Being an anesthesiologist would be great but a CRNA seems like it would fit the lifestyle I want to have much better. And the way I look at it is, people can say they want to be a cop and firefighter, what's so weird about wanting to be a crna?

Go for it. I think it's wonderful that you know what you want.

I didn't really know what I wanted until way later than you.

Just get started. You need to become an RN and have something

like 3-5 years of ICU experience. Good luck and take care!