Advice on becoming a Nurse Anesthetist

Ward_247 · Jul 4, 2007

Well after reading through the forums I've answered a lot of my own questions...

deannicholas · Jul 5, 2007

I am currently a firefighter/paramedic and am in school on my off days for nursing with a final goal of becoming a CRNA. I had no fire science, or emt/medic when I got on the job. Every larger department that I have seen will hire you with no experience and train you. The best that a FS and EMT/Medic can get you is bonus points on the test, as far as I have seen. If I could do it over again, I would get my RN at least, then get on a department and you could easily finish your BSN online or not, on your off days. Getting your RN while on the job can be a pain with all the trades and clinical hours you need to schedule around a 24/48 work week. Feel free to ask any ? if you have any. Good luck.

Dean

Trauma Columnist · Jul 5, 2007

Personally my background is ER and ICU and when I was deciding on grad school, I shadowed a CRNA and decided that wasn't for me - I couldn't sit still long enough - lol. Plus, all the cool stuff was going on on the other side of the drape!

BTW - my background is volunteer EMS/firefighter and I'm also a pre-hospital RN.

Ward_247 · Jul 5, 2007

I think I'm definitely going to look into shadowing a CRNA and maybe work as a ER tech to gain some "real world" experience in a hospital. From what I've heard I would be able to do this as an EMT. Because like it was said...I may change my mind and decide I would be happier doing something else within the hospital.

Now I need to decide if it would be better to drop my current major and change majors or continue on this course and obtain a second major once I finish my BS in Fire Protection Administration....

But given that kind of time frame it would probably make more sense to finish my major and attend some kind of post baccalaureate premedical program and try my luck in med school. Any opinions or ideas are always welcome and wanted!!!!

proclivity · Jul 6, 2007

First off, I just wanted to say hello to everyone! The forums look great and I can tell right away that I'll be spending quite a bit of time researching these forums! The search feature here is my new friend!
Anyway, I'm 23 and I'm currently in school for my BS in Fire Protection Administration. I have about two years until I graduate. The program I'm enrolled in is the only one in the state of CA. Right now I'm on a path to work for a fire department. I'm already an EMT...but I keep thinking that I might be more happy working in a hospital....
I keep thinking about going to med school but I've also been thinking about trying to become an RN. Then I read a thread about working as a Nurse Anesthetist and it seems like it would be a great career!
Here's where I was wondering if perhaps you guys and gals could offer some insight on what path would make the most sense in my current situation. Any imput you can offer would be greatly appreciated! I am just trying to gain a greater understanding of what is required if I was to start down this path...I know my question is vague, but I figure I have to start asking questions at some point and there's no time like the present!

medical school is a considerably longer road considering all of the classes and loops you will have to jump through to get there. If you're just looking for a very stimulating and interesting career then a CRNA would likely be a good fit for you. I physically attended a college to get my BSN, so i can't offer any advice for online classes. If you're going to be working full time it would be a great idea. Since you are an EMT, you might have a few connections that could get you into the ICU out of school. That is usually the biggest problem for prospective CRNAs.

good luck.