RN to CRNA - which road?

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

Hello, all! I am new to this forum, new to nursing in general, and still trying to figure out where to post, so bear with me if you see duplicates. This site has been a tremendous tool in garnering different perspectives about the roles of nursing, as I am just a student at this point. I would eventually love to work in anesthesia, despite the many who love to tell me my mind will change during the course of my education and experiences, and I am quite aware that this is a possibility. In the event that I stay on course, however, I am interested to know some of your experiences regarding the path you chose for your education. I am currently enrolled in an ASN program. The direction I move in gets fuzzy at my graduation point: Do I bridge RN to BSN? RN to MSN? Is there a bridge program for RN to MSN specialties? I am in my early 30's now. I've been reading a lot about experience being key to the process, which should be a no-brainer. However, is there room for exceptions to the rule? Obviously, I can't get into certain programs unless I have the experience requirements. My curiosity is more about credibility with peers, colleagues, etc. I'd like to hear about those of you who've made it through online programs, as well as traditional programs (read: online RN to BSN programs, as I know that's not an option for MSN specialties). Regards, tml

Specializes in Anesthesia.
*** UVA's masters entry program requires a bachelors degree to apply. So it's not a case of a person who don't have a bachelors degree, but does have a masters degree, applying to their CRNA school.

That's is the schools choice, but I would still ask admissions committee directly.

0 Votes
Specializes in Anesthesia.
*** Oh no, you are not agreeing with me. I have not blown anything out of proportion. I passed on information that is listed on the AANA's web site. You corrected me. I said thanks very much I am happy to stand corrected and that was that. It is you who insisted on falsely putting words in my mouth (as you have done again) and dragging out this discussion.

*** You mean the AANA shouldn't be giving advice. What I learned is that I should not count on what is on the AANAs web site and pass that information on.

*** Oh that's not true at all.

So again why is a non-CRNA giving CRNA school admission advice, and yes you are still the only one that thinks that there is incorrect information on the AANA website.

0 Votes
Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
OK I guess it must be me. It must actually be unreasonable for me to expect the CRNA's professional organization to post accurate information on their website. I guess it is actually unreasonable of me to expect that the requirements to enter a profession would be easy to find with a simple web search. I guess it is reasonable that any person considering becoming a CRNA must send first determine who the regulating organization is then send emails to the regulating organization to find out what the actual requirements are.[/quote']

You should direct people interested to contact their perspective school. Every school has their own requirements. Just like schools determine what type of work is considered acute care. Some only take adult ICU and some take PICU and ED.

0 Votes
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
So again why is a non-CRNA giving CRNA school admission advice,

*** I passed on information listed on the AANAs website. Besides I have been through the NA school admissions process a number of times as a coach, letter writer, editor, driver, mock interviewer and other rolls.

and yes you are still the only one that thinks that there is incorrect information on the AANA website.

*** Absolutely not true. Anyway don't you think it is presumptuous of you to assume that you know what every person who comes across the false information on the AANAs website thinks?

Once again I am very happy to stand corrected. I thank you for correcting me. I sent three emails away to NA programs and they confirmed what you told me. Only one of the three schools, the one based in a large university's SON, would not accept the MSN in place of a bachelors degree.

0 Votes
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
You should direct people interested to contact their perspective school. Every school has their own requirements. Just like schools determine what type of work is considered acute care. Some only take adult ICU and some take PICU and ED.

*** The issue wasn't each school's requirements. The AANA's website lists a bachelors degree as a requirement to become a CRNA. I incorrectly assumed that the information found on the AANA's website could be counted on to be accurate. I passed on the AANA's false information. I have been corrected and happily so.

0 Votes
Specializes in Anesthesia.
*** I passed on information listed on the AANAs website. Besides I have been through the NA school admissions process a number of times as a coach, letter writer, editor, driver, mock interviewer and other rolls.

That is just the thing. You should not be coaching or mock interviewing anyone pre-SRNA. You are passing yourself off as a subject matter expert without the requisite education or background.

0 Votes
Specializes in Anesthesia.
*** I passed on information listed on the AANAs website. Besides I have been through the NA school admissions process a number of times as a coach, letter writer, editor, driver, mock interviewer and other rolls.

*** Absolutely not true. Anyway don't you think it is presumptuous of you to assume that you know what every person who comes across the false information on the AANAs website thinks?

Once again I am very happy to stand corrected. I thank you for correcting me. I sent three emails away to NA programs and they confirmed what you told me. Only one of the three schools, the one based in a large university's SON, would not accept the MSN in place of a bachelors degree.

Which university would not take an entry level MSN and who did you talk to?

0 Votes

DO NOT go to CAMA school of anesthesia. NO REGIONAL experience. You get to stand there with with thumbs you know where and watch the anesthesiologists do all the regionals. If you work there you are not allowed to do regionals and a dr has to be in the room for all inductions....

0 Votes
Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
Just FYI you can't be qualifed to apply to any CRNA school with a masters degree unless you also have a bachelors degree. For example a nurse who does and ADN to MSN program would not be elligable to apply to CRNA school. All CRNA schools must require a bachelors degree.

That said I have known people to go to CRNA school with bachelors degrees in forestry, dairy science, all the hard sciences, music and english.

My other avice is to keep your plan to go to anesthesia school a secret. ICU nurse managers hate losing RNs just at the point they are starting to become useful to the unit. I have known more than one ICU nurse manager go so far as to call your nursing school instructors and ask if a potential hire ever talked about going to CRNA school.

I would like to point out that this information is wrong. I got this information directly from the AANA's website where is says this:

Requirements

The requirements for becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) mainly include having a bachelor's degree in nursing (or other appropriate baccalaureate degree), Registered Nurse licensure, a minimum of one year acute care experience (for example, ICU or ER), and the successful completion of both an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program and the national certification examination.

Become a CRNA

I have since learned that the AANA chooses to post false and misleading information on their web page. In fact many anesthesia schools will consider qualified nurses who don't have any kind of bachelors degree at all. but who do hold a masters degree. I have personally spoken with the admissions departments of the 5 programs in my area and 4 out of 5 have stated they would consider an otherwise qualified RN for admission without a bachelors degree, if they hold a masters degree.

I apologize for posting false information to Allnurses and take full responsibility for it. I thought that the AANA's own website would be a dependable source of information and about becoming a CRNA, apparently I am wrong.

0 Votes
Specializes in Anesthesia.
I would like to point out that this information is wrong. I got this information directly from the AANA's website where is says this:

Become a CRNA

I have since learned that the AANA chooses to post false and misleading information on their web page. In fact many anesthesia schools will consider qualified nurses who don't have any kind of bachelors degree at all. but who do hold a masters degree. I have personally spoken with the admissions departments of the 5 programs in my area and 4 out of 5 have stated they would consider an otherwise qualified RN for admission without a bachelors degree, if they hold a masters degree.

I apologize for posting false information to Allnurses and take full responsibility for it. I thought that the AANA's own website would be a dependable source of information and about becoming a CRNA, apparently I am wrong. [/left]

It isn't that the information is truly wrong, since I believe most people would understand that a Bachelors or higher degree would both be accepted for entry into a nurse anesthesia school.

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment