ADN or BSN to become a CRNA

[n1cktm]

Hello everyone,

I am currently an undergraduate student pursuing a B.A. degree in history. I have finally decided that I would like to become a RN and would eventually want to work as a CRNA.

What option would be best to achieve this goal? I currently have a 3.85 gpa at my institution and am considering applying to accelerated BSN programs (2nd degree programs). After this I plan to work as an RN for a number of years before specializing. However, I heard it might be a better/cheaper option to get an ADN and then go for an ADN-MSN program in nurse anesthesia. Some of the programs that I have looked at require a BSN as a prerequisite though so I am not really sure what to do.

Thank you for your time.

[rritter.rn]

It is very difficult to find jobs in all areas of nursing right now (though may vary depending what area you live in). If you plan to do ADN then work for a couple of years, then go to critical care, you can probably do that. However, if you're trying to go straight from school to critical care, you'll almost certainly need a BSN, at least here in the Northeast where I live/work.

As far as CRNA admissions related to BSN or BS + ADN, it will depend. I imagine it will limit your choices considerably. Your chances at the schools that accept it will depend largely on the pool of applicants they have to choose from at that moment, a pool that will vary from year to year, making it impossible to predict.

BSNs generally seem to be preferred (in the workplace--I'm not familiar with graduate admissions) to ADNs, even if the ADN has another BS or BA, because it's more applicable to our specific field.

My advice would be to try to work and do your BSN if at all possible. Can you do your BSN a bit slower so that you can still maintain your income? If you have your prereqs done and you already have a BS, you'll only need two years of school for either an ADN or BSN, so why not just do the BSN? Tell us more about why you would be able to work during your ASN but not your BSN and perhaps we can offer a bit more advice...

The other option is to get your ADN because it's right for you and your family in the present moment. Then you'll graduate more quickly and you can find a job as an RN, which allows you great income and flexibility while you consider and pursue your other options. You may fall in love with another aspect of nursing in the meantime or you may still want to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist, but you will have created a viable financial situation for yourself in the meantime.

[genebart]

Tell us more about why you would be able to work during your ASN but not your BSN and perhaps we can offer a bit more advice...

Thanks for the response rritter.

The specifics are that my current job runs from me having to get there at 4pm (at the very latest) until 1100pm. The ASN program at my school has all their clinicals in the mornings and are over by 3pm at the latest. However, the BSN program has a random rotation of clinical hours that can run all the way until 630pm. My job is not one that allows for flexible hours/rotations. Therefore, the ASN schedule would allow me to keep my job, and the BSN schedule would not.