What steps do I need to take to become a CRNA?

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

I'm seriously considering a career as a Nurse Anesthesia. However, I'm a little confused about the necessary steps I have to take before a CRNA program will consider me.

I know the first step is RN, then BSN & ICU experience. But where do I go from here? Can I go from a BSN to a CRNA program or do I need a MSN and/or DNP? What's the quickest route to a CRNA program?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Obtain a few years of high acuity ICU RN experience, and apply with your BSN. Cast your net wide and apply to many schools, most are relatively competitive. Things that will help you are:

High GPA

Good GRE scores (if applicable)

Charge nurse experience

Participation in a committee (safety, engagement, etc.)

CRNA shadowing hours

There is no need to have an MSN prior to applying. BSN will do. Not sure if there is a quickest route, you need to have all the above ducks lined up. Are you currently an ICU nurse? If so, you're right where you need to be.

All CRNA programs will be moving to doctorate degrees by January, 2022.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you very much! This is most helpful. I'm actually starting nursing school tomorrow. I do intend to walk before I run but I also want to be thinking about my future & where I'd like to see myself down the road after I become an RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm actually starting nursing school tomorrow.

I would then advise you to consider working as an ICU tech or CNA. If you are a good employee they will likely hire you into ICU when you graduate. Try to get an ICU senior preceptorship placement as well. I did those things, and went straight into ICU. That is a shortcut for you. If you're out on the floor as an RN that will delay CRNA school by a few years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well I'm currently a CNA now but I don't work in a hospital. However, that's something I can start looking into.

I'm starting out in LPN school because I wanted to start working as a LPN while I pursed my RN degree. Its my understanding from what others have told me that most hospitals only hire RN's with minimally their BSN & I didn't want to go to school for 3 years before I could start working as a nurse & gaining experience.

Can you tell me more about the ICU senior preceptorship placement? How would I go about pursing this?

And can you give me more information about participating in a committee? What would I need to do & how would I go about making this happen?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Its my understanding from what others have told me that most hospitals only hire RN's with minimally their BSN & I didn't want to go to school for 3 years before I could start working as a nurse & gaining experience.

Can you tell me more about the ICU senior preceptorship placement? How would I go about pursing this?

And can you give me more information about participating in a committee? What would I need to do & how would I go about making this happen?

I understand. It depends on the area you live in. I live in Utah and got hired into the hospital setting as only an ADN RN. Major metros usually have a BSN requirement to work in acute settings such as hospitals. Not all, though. Which area are you in?

As far as preceptorship, my capstone coordinator at my school and my ICU unit educator partnered and allowed me to do my hours in the ICU I worked in as a tech. Mine was 150 hours paired with an experienced RN. Most managers prefer a student that has precepted in the same area that they are appealing to. When you are nearing the end of your RN program, place your preference on an ICU preceptorship. It may be easier to obtain if you already work there as an internal employee.

Many units have various committees to improve the workflow processes and safety of the unit. We have a wound and skin team, CAUTI (catheter associated urinary tract infection) prevention team, engagement team (that improves working conditions and staff relations), you could look into becoming a preceptor, and training the new RN's on the unit. Involvement in any things of those nature will likely be favorable during your CRNA application process.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in the Memphis area but the school I'm attending is about 50 miles away (in a very small town). I chose to drive the distance because I didn't like the location of the LPN school in Memphis. Its in a bad area.

However, I've already gotten the impression that the small town school will come with more opportunities because the school has a lot of partnerships that they're proud of (some of those being with the local hospitals) & I believe I'll be able to make a lot of good contacts through the school.

I didn't realize that many of the units had a variety of committees you could participate in. I definitely think the wound & skin team would be a good fit for me. You've given me a lot of good information & I intend on using it. Thanks again.

I know CRNA programs are very competitive so I want to take the necessary steps along the way so I'll stand out as an applicant when its time to apply.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

I still have 3 semesters of nursing school left but have also been considering going the CRNA path after a couple of experiences I had in clinicals. I wouldn't be graduating until May 2017. I'm not necessarily one to do the minimum of anything but what would be the minimum amount of critical care experience to get into a CRNA school? Would I be able to get a sufficient amount of experience to get into a school before the program's switch to doctorate level programs?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
what would be the minimum amount of critical care experience to get into a CRNA school? Would I be able to get a sufficient amount of experience to get into a school before the program's switch to doctorate level programs?

You need 1 year, high acuity ICU experience bare minimum. Use some of the suggestions I gave above if you want to save time. Competitive ICU experience is 3+ years. However, more anesthesia programs nationwide have begun to appear. This may make it easier to be granted admission, or things may stay the same as more and more people become interested in CRNA each passing year. You will likely have time to apply to some MSNA programs before the mandate. Keep your GPA high.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

So what happens if I get accepted into a CRNA program & the "doctorate degree" mandate takes place the first year I'm in the program? Do I then have to pursue all those additional educational requirements despite being in the middle of the program?

Also, due to the competitiveness of these programs, what if I don't get accepted into a CRNA program before the mandate takes place...how much more schooling would I be looking at?

MSN, Doctorate of Nursing; would I have to do a Residency or something along those lines?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

TennesseeNurseToB, typically a DNAP program is a year longer than an MSNA program, but it varies with each school track. In that case, about 36 months for your nurse anesthesia program.

If you graduate before 2025 from an anesthesia program, you'll be grandfathered in. Admission after January 2022, you'll have only DNAP as your options. These are approximations.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Many programs have already transitioned from offering a MSN to a DNAP. Honestly, I don't think it makes any difference, just pick a school which will give you the best clinical/residency experience. Rushing to get into a program early to avoid the DNAP requirement is only hurting yourself in the long run. Myself and most of my coworkers have no plans to go back to school for a DNAP.

Focus on getting a solid foundation in a high acuity ICU (fresh surgical patients or hearts), get ACLS and PALS, work as a charge nurse, work on unit committees and projects... Make the most of your ICU experience and then do the same in CRNA school. You should feel comfortable and be able to work as an independent provider when you graduate. Take call, stay late to finish your cases... The more experience you get, the better prepared you will be for a job after graduation.

Also decide if you want a front loaded (1 year class only, 2 years 40+ clinical hours a week and only 1-2 classes a semester) or integrated (clinical hours mixed in with classes for the entire 3 years). Look at programs and find out where they their rotations, what opportunities you have at these rotations, do they hire students, where do most graduates go to find jobs, how saturated is the area?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment