ADN to BSN to CRNA or 4 year university?

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Right now, I am a freshman at Loyola University Chicago in the nursing program. I know it's early, but I already know that I want to be a CRNA. My problem is in figuring out my schooling. If i stay at Loyola, I will have a BSN after my four years. So then I would work in ICU for a year or two and apply to a CRNA program. But if I go to a junior college, I could get my ADN after two years, then work while getting my BSN online, and apply to a CRNA program. I know I already started here, but I just want to figure out what would be best. Does anyone have any experience of switching or reasons why they did what they did?

I just need to figure it all out, thanks so much!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

You need to realize most hospitals are requiring a BSN for employment especially in the Chicago area. You may be able to get a ADN quicker...but you may not find job. Loyola has a good reputation....and may give you a leg up in the competitive CRNA market. Think carefully before you leap.

moved to pre-CRNA for best response

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU.

Very few, if any, CRNA programs care about were you received your BSN from as long as it uses the typical 4.0 grade scale and is accredited. Pick the route the works best for you. I would suggest the path that allows you to accumulate the least amount of debt. Far too many applicants enter a program with pre-existing debt and tack on another 6 figure loan to pay for tuition and living expenses, graduate, find their first job and are very discouraged to find out that a significant amount of their income is now being eaten up by student loan payments. Let's not even mention those SRNAs who dont complete their program and go back to work earning a RN's pay with a CRNA's debt load. It happens.

Usually the ADN then working while earning the BSN option is the most economical. However, if Chicago does strongly favor BSNs and you are unwilling to move after graduation to secure your first RN job, then perhaps staying at your current university may be more beneficial.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.

I know many nurses who have done ADN to BSN to CRNA rout. As you have already figured out it's the fastest way to become qualified for NA school.

Until recently, when any new grad could get a job in an ICU pretty easy regardless of degree they entered nursing with. However times have changed. Any new grad getting a job in ICU is less likely than it was 5 years ago. I suggest that you stick with your BSN program. The chances of getting a job in ICU after graduation are slim, but better than if you got an ADN.

I also suggest that you never tell anyone you plan on NA school.

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I got my LPN, then Associate RN, now working on my BSN with hopes of going straight on to CRNA school. For me, this path is working. I am able to gain experience while working on my BSN. The down side: School is much easier if that is your main obligation. I work full-time & am a full-time student. CRNA applicants need to have the best GPA possible. So maybe getting your BSN then working on your ICU experience and then applying for CRNA school would work best. That way you can keep your grades up and make yourself an attractive applicant.

There are pros & cons to the various paths. It's nice to work as an RN while in school because you can apply what you are learning in real time. But it is so nice not to have to work & have extra study time. If you can balance full-time work (because CRNA schools want to see full-time ICU experience) and good grades, then you have more options. Another good thing about getting your BSN first & then working is that you can work full-time and have the time necessary to be active on multiple work committees. That is also a good resume booster :) If you have school obligations, it is harder to be active with work committees.

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First off, I applaud you for knowing what you want to do so early in your college journey. You should be aware that going for your ADN will not necessarily shorten the time to become an RN. For you to get into a ADN program, you need to complete a minimum set of prerequisites and these prerequisites take anywhere from 1-2 years. Couple this with a 1.5 - 2 years for the actual ADN will put you close to 3-4 years to complete your ADN, which doesn't buy you much IMHO.

Given the feedback you have received so far, I would suggest sticking with your current BSN program.

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Specializes in burn ICU, SICU, ER, Trauma Rapid Response.
First off, I applaud you for knowing what you want to do so early in your college journey. You should be aware that going for your ADN will not necessarily shorten the time to become an RN. For you to get into a ADN program, you need to complete a minimum set of prerequisites and these prerequisites take anywhere from 1-2 years. Couple this with a 1.5 - 2 years for the actual ADN will put you close to 3-4 years to complete your ADN, which doesn't buy you much IMHO.

Given the feedback you have received so far, I would suggest sticking with your current BSN program.

Not all ADN programs have pre-reqs. The Wisconsin technical college system's ADN can (and very often are) be completed in two years. There are no college class pre-reqs. One must have CNA, background check, HS grad or GED, immunizations and have taken HS chem.

Waiting lists vary from 3-4 years to zero depending on the school chosen.

I have known 10-12 people who went to CRNA school 4 years after deciding they wanted to. They completed the ADN RN program in two years, got a job in a trauma center's SICU (where I met them) and completed their RN to BSN while gaining two year ICU experience and where ready to go to CRNA school four years after high school.

The bottleneck I see isn't in earning and ADN in two years, it's getting directly into an ICU as a new grads. Out hospital that used to accept 8-10 new grads per semester into it's critical care nurse residency (with a preference for ADN grads), is now accepting 1-2.

If one can circumvent that road block, for example working (and doing a great job) as a CNA in the ICU so that one has a much better chance of being hired in the ICU, it can be a great road to take.

Not only can one obtain their RN, BSN & two years experience in 4 years, they will get paid $100K over two years and have health insurance for at least two years.

I agree with you though, given the OP's situation better stick to the BSN.

To the OP and others out there. Don't listen to those who tell you an ADN is never only two years. It can be two years if you choose the right school.

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Specializes in Critical Care & Acute Care.

My advice is stay there and get your BSN. I did the ADN-BSN and work while getting the BSN. I would have been less stressed had I just got the BSN. Also, remember a two year nursing program is never two years. You have to count the pre Reqs, applying, and waiting for a job since you are now bottom and I mean bottom. Not knocking the ADN, but most places want a BSN nurse. So at least you have a leg up on someone, and I can say some BSN programs are easier than ADN. Just get your BSN with good grades and then land an ICU job and stay focused. Best wishes and glad to see someone very determined and ambitious.

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I second what PMFB said in his/her first post, and what Esme said about getting a job as a new grad.

Stick with Loyola. Enjoy your college years, and focus on getting good grades. Work as hard as you need to keep at least a 3.6 gpa as none of the grad schools you apply to will know that the B+ you got at Loyola was a 91%. And after you graduate, continue living like a student and focus on paying off your loans as quickly as possible so you can save for grad school thereafter.

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