Mom to nurse, career change,

[Stay at home Mom]

Hello,

I have been reading this website throughly and have found it extremely helpful. However some of the threads that pertained to my situation seemed a bit old. Since there is so much change coming I feel the most current info is a must.

I currently have a BS sociology and photography. I graduated from college in 2008 and have been overseas since as a stay-at-home mom. 27 years old and would love to get this moving as fast and efficiently as possible. With two kids running around I cannot afford to go the wrong route to reach my end goal. I was thinking of going towards Doctorate Nurse Practitioner since that is where the industry seems to be leaning ( as seen in my research) and then CRNA. I really do appreciate any and all advice. This site has really been amazing in responses in other threads. Thank you for all help in advance.

Since I am starting from scratch with no science courses should I get my BSN then work towards a MSN? Another route I was told was to do a post-Bacc in nursing then a masters program towards nurse practitioner. then CRNA.

I also have to keep in mind that most of my work needs to be done through distance learning. I am currently living in Germany, relocating to Georgia in the future. Online options are best fit.

I have been a stay-at-home Mom for 5 years now. How long will this realistically take to achieve my goal?

I am pretty attuned to dealing with stress being home with two children without family or friends around for help/support. How tough is the stress load?

If I can't go the distance for the CRNA what route would give me the greatest flexibility in specialties?

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

1. Quickest route is accelerated BSN program

Accelerated Programs: The Fast Track to Careers in Nursing

Often you can take prerequisites online. Decide which school you are interested in Georgia as prerequistes vary by program.

2. Obtain position in ICU -need minimum of 1 year.

3. Apply directly to CRNA program your choice --most grant Masters, many now grant DNP upon graduation: CRNA School Search

[rrnr]

Stay at home Mom --

If your ultimate goal is to become a CRNA there is NO benefit in first becoming a NP. Anesthesia programs typically recent ICU nursing experience. If you work in the ICU then become an NP by the the time you apply to NA programs your ICU experience most likely won't be "recent". If you become an NP then apply to work in the ICU as an RN you likely won't get hired because why would an NP be working as an RN?

There are no "distance learning" options for nurse anesthesia (as far as I am aware).

Nursing prereqs can be taken online. While there are distance learning options for MSN and BSN, they still require "live" clinical experiences which would likely need to be completed in a facility that meets certain criteria. I have no idea if an international hospital would fit the bill.

First step -- get your BSN. Focus on getting the best grades possibly as NA programs are fairly competitive. Start working in an ICU and then decide whether the NP or CRNA route is better for you.

The amount of time required to become a CRNA is highly variable and depends on many factors.

BSN -- 15-24 months (depending on whether its accelerated or not)

ICU experience -- 12-24+months (required for CRNA)

MSN in Anesthesia -- 24-36months

Good luck

[mcubed45]

Nurse Practitioner and CRNA are two completely advanced practice nursing career paths. One does not lead to the other.

DNP is a DEGREE and is not specific for NP's only. In fact CRNA programs are transitioning towards awarding DNP degrees instead of MSN/MS/Phd etc.