accelerated BSN + Master's in Anesthesia

darienblythe79 · Mar 3, 2006

Each sold separately. :rolleyes:

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Mar 3, 2006

The problem you'll run into is that CRNA schools are looking for experienced critical care nurses. There are some direct-entry MSN programs for people with a BA/BS in another field, but I don't think you'll find any of those for nurse anesthesia.

elkpark · Mar 3, 2006

CRNA programs require that you have at least a year of working (as an RN) in a critical care setting to be considered for admission, so you would have to complete a basic nursing program and get licensed (although that could be through a community college program rather than a BSN), and get some RN experience, before you would even be eligible.

There are also accelerated BSN programs out there for people who have baccalaureate degrees in something else, and even a traditional BSN program shouldn't make you repeat general ed or science classes that you have already taken. However, you may need to also pick up some specific undergrad prereqs required by CRNA programs, and I'm sure you are aware that five years is the "expiration date" for transfer of science classes at most universities (I don't know if that may be a factor for you).

Best wishes.

badgernurse · Mar 3, 2006

If you are an RN, Rush has an RN to MSN which incorporates some of the classes you would take as an SRNA. SOme of the courses are online too even the undergrad classes are expensive. If you're not a nurse, you will need the experience first.

fotografe · Mar 3, 2006

Look into Columbia and Georgetown. They both have Direct Entry MSN programs where you can select Nurse Anesthesia as your specialty. You do your Critical Care requirement as part of the program. There are some posters on this board that are in the Columbia program. Search that.

Good luck!

Hey.
does anyone know a school program that integrates a BSN degree and a Master's in anesthesia??
I already have a BS in Biological Science, but I've decided to become a CRNA. So i'm looking for a program wherein I can earn a BSN and Master's in Anesthesia.
thanks!

nycacoustic · Mar 3, 2006

Hi nurse_it,

I'll be starting an accelerated BSN program at Columbia University this May, and I was also accepted into the school's anesthesia program. The BSN portion is called ETP (Entry-to-Practice) and once you're done, take the NCLEX, and as an anesthesia candidate for the MSN portion, the school requires you to work in an ICU setting for at least a year. Afterwards, you'll return to school and start as SRNA.

I've started a forum for columbia students, past, present, and future, under the student forum section-graduate MSN/FNP, please feel free to post and ask any questions there. I, myself have learned a lot of what to expect from present students as well.

The selection is highly competitive for ETP, and especially into anesthesia (5 spots for non-RN, and 5 for RN). unlike other specialty at Columbia, you can pick one when you apply and if you decide to go into a different field, you have the freedom to do so. My wife applied as well to the ETP initially with interest in WH, but now changed to Midwifery. However, with anesthesia, when you apply and don't get in, you can still be accepted to the ETP portion, but then focus on another specialty. They do allow you re-apply but only after your ETP portion and NCLEX. I know this because I pretty much drilled the admission officer on everything, and every possibility.

IMO, get very strong recommendation letters and write a kick-ass personal statement. Good gpa and scores are nice, but I know they told me that they put more emphasis on the letters and statement. that being said though, the minimum score on the GRE for accepted anesthesia applicants is about 1200. They also look at the % rank. Hope I've answered most of your questions, if not, stop by the forum, or PM me. Good luck!