Which classes should i take at CC if I want to be a CRNA?

Nursing Students SRNA

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I know nursing classes rarely transfer schools, that's not what I'm worried about...

I plan to after finishing my lpn school get my adn and bsn through excelsior, going on to get my CRNA.

To be safe what pre reqs do you think are mandatory to take at a CC for better acceptance into CRNA schools (ie, which math science, English classes)?

Also, do you think humanities and fine arts will transfer from excelsior?

Any help is appreciated. I am trying to get a long term plan together.

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You have a long journey ahead of you. If you are interested in the Excelsior ADN bridging program, this page contains a link to PDF of required classes: Associates Degrees Nursing | Nursing Degrees, Programs | Distance - excelsior.edu

More than likely, your humanities and fine arts courses should transfer. The only credits that I've heard of not transferring are courses that a traditional university would require labs (such as Anatomy and Physiology). Those I would suggest going ahead and getting out of the way now since you are probably already enrolled in a community college lpn program (if you have room in your schedule of course! I'm sure your schedule is already jam-packed with clinicals and nursing courses). Try and start working on your core classes now and get them out of the way and try and aim for a high GPA; this will be a deciding factor when it comes to CRNA applications/interviews.

Once you get your ADN finished, apply for an ICU job and work towards CCRN certification. Although this is not mandatory at most CRNA programs, it is preferred. If you look at current enrolled SRNAs, almost all have their CCRN. Some schools are picky over PICU and NICU, so keep that in mind when choosing a Intensive Care job. Most schools do not accept ER experience, and you will need at least one year experience ICU, preferred two years (you will need at least two years experience to become eligible for CCRN cert).

Also, think about your current life situation: married? kids? planning to do so in the near future? CRNA programs are all-time consuming, you will not have time for a family life. There are many nurses who get through these programs with spouses and small children, but they have a lot of help. If you get an interview when applying to CRNA schools, this will be a topic they will grill you over: how are you going to manage your family? How are you going to pay for this program? Is your vehicle reliable and how are you going to afford gas to get to clinicals? Is your spouse going to support you through this? What if you two decide to divorce in the middle of the program? (seriously, they ask these questions!). They are concerned with your ICU and nursing knowledge, but they also want to pick candidates that are going to make it through the entire program, since there are so little spots and so many applicants.

Hope this helps :) Good luck in the future!

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You have a long journey ahead of you. If you are interested in the Excelsior ADN bridging program this page contains a link to PDF of required classes: Associates Degrees Nursing | Nursing Degrees, Programs | Distance - excelsior.edu

More than likely, your humanities and fine arts courses should transfer. The only credits that I've heard of not transferring are courses that a traditional university would require labs (such as Anatomy and Physiology). Those I would suggest going ahead and getting out of the way now since you are probably already enrolled in a community college lpn program (if you have room in your schedule of course! I'm sure your schedule is already jam-packed with clinicals and nursing courses). Try and start working on your core classes now and get them out of the way and try and aim for a high GPA; this will be a deciding factor when it comes to CRNA applications/interviews.

Once you get your ADN finished, apply for an ICU job and work towards CCRN certification. Although this is not mandatory at most CRNA programs, it is preferred. If you look at current enrolled SRNAs, almost all have their CCRN. Some schools are picky over PICU and NICU, so keep that in mind when choosing a Intensive Care job. Most schools do not accept ER experience, and you will need at least one year experience ICU, preferred two years (you will need at least two years experience to become eligible for CCRN cert).

Also, think about your current life situation: married? kids? planning to do so in the near future? CRNA programs are all-time consuming, you will not have time for a family life. There are many nurses who get through these programs with spouses and small children, but they have a lot of help. If you get an interview when applying to CRNA schools, this will be a topic they will grill you over: how are you going to manage your family? How are you going to pay for this program? Is your vehicle reliable and how are you going to afford gas to get to clinicals? Is your spouse going to support you through this? What if you two decide to divorce in the middle of the program? (seriously, they ask these questions!). They are concerned with your ICU and nursing knowledge, but they also want to pick candidates that are going to make it through the entire program, since there are so little spots and so many applicants.

Hope this helps :) Good luck in the future!

Still young. Currently at ecpi lpn program but no classes I'm taking I think will transfer and I really hate working and going to school in person. When im done with the LPN program, I plan to work full time all the way through bsn and getting experience to save for CRNA school, because I don't plan to work then. Online is fine by me. So basically just take all lab required classes at a CC? I think I will do that before starting the program so I can go straight through. That's what I figured. What about English do you think it will be a problem transferring it from excelsior?

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Specializes in CVICU.

For me, because being a CRNA is my ultimate goal, I'm working on getting my BSN first before I take any CRNA prereq classes. For the program I want to apply for, I need at least a year of critical care experience(two to three years will make me more competitive), which seeing ill be a new grad trying to get will be hard which is okay because I can use that time to finish up my other prereqs... (Biochem, calc, intro physics)

Do you know where you're trying to go for your CRNA? Look at their prereqs so you know which route to go.... I plan to go to USC for mine

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

moved to pre-CRNA for best response/advice.

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I've done quite a bit of research on the CRNA programs, and while even though each one has its own set of prereqs and preferences, most tend to require/prefer the following:

1 yr of General Chemistry followed by a semester of Organic Chemistry

Physiology

Biochemistry

Preferred-Statistics (Master's level)

Preferred-Adv. Pathophysiology (Master's level)

Preferred-Physics and Calculus

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Try going to aana.com. They have a complete list of schools that offer the program, and have links to their websites where they each outline their requirements.

Good luck with your undertaking! :)

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English shouldn't be a problem, I haven't heard of anyone c/o other classes not transferring, besides courses with labs. I regretted putting off my labs, so I know that's what I would do if I was in your shoes.

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Some science courses are good for only 5 years. Some schools will accept them older than 5 years if you have been working in a related field. Just something to keep in mind.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I've done quite a bit of research on the CRNA programs, and while even though each one has its own set of prereqs and preferences, most tend to require/prefer the following:

1 yr of General Chemistry followed by a semester of Organic Chemistry

Physiology

Biochemistry

Preferred-Statistics (Master's level)

Preferred-Adv. Pathophysiology (Master's level)

Preferred-Physics and Calculus

Which NA schools require this?

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Which NA schools require this?

Not all of those are required. It's just that from what I've noticed on quite a number of CRNA program websites, they tend to "recommend" having taken those classes before applying (minus the Physics and Calc...ish). The only ones that I've noticed which tend to be commonly required are the Gen Chems, Orgo, and Physiology.

Is your experience different? If so, please do share. I'm sure that many of us CRNA-hopefuls who might be perusing through this thread would appreciate your input :)

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Not all of those are required. It's just that from what I've noticed on quite a number of CRNA program websites, they tend to "recommend" having taken those classes before applying (minus the Physics and Calc...ish). The only ones that I've noticed which tend to be commonly required are the Gen Chems, Orgo, and Physiology.

Is your experience different? If so, please do share. I'm sure that many of us CRNA-hopefuls who might be perusing through this thread would appreciate your input :)

What I have usually seen that is common to most schools is: General Chem, Organic or Biochem, and a statistics course. The other requirements seem to be more school specific.

I am most familiar with USUHS since that is where I graduated and teach some of the clinical students.

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