Best Option to become CRNA

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Mar 25, 2006

Many SRNAs were originally ADNs who did some kind of BSN transition. I think it is all but irrelevant to your chances of admission. If your first degree was a while ago and your grades have been good since, you will probably be seen as having matured and taken school seriously. So that leaves you with experience, GRE and "leadership" type stuff to work on.

Have you shadowed a CRNA? There is some negativity here toward non-nurses who want to become CRNAs without really understanding how nursing is an integral part of the process, and/or see it simply as big bucks in 40 hrs/week. Not saying this is you, just letting you know. If you have an opportunity to shadow a CRNA or even an anesthesiologist, do at least a couple days.

soko2002 · Mar 25, 2006

Thank you so much for your reply! To answer your question, I have not shadowed a CRNA before. I just want to make sure that I have all my options open and don't close any doors for future possibilities. As far as money that is not a concern for me. I want to get my nursing degree and find out what area interests me most. I quit a very high paying job in the business world because I hated my job. It was not fullfilling. There is no doubt that I would end up shadowing a CRNA in the future if it is something that is still of interest to me. Like I said, I just want to become a nurse right now, but not ruin my chances of going into a specialty that really interests me because of the education route I took. Thank you again for the advise. It is very helpful!

jenniek · Mar 25, 2006

You could finish your BSN through an online program. I received my BSN this past May and started anesthesia school in August. I even moved to a different state while finishing my BSN. As long as the school is NLN accredited, you should be fine. The great part is that you do most of your work at home and attend class on the computer. I received my degree from here:

http://bsnlinc.wisconsin.edu/

Good luck.

soko2002 · Mar 25, 2006

Jenniek, thanks for the response. You mention that the school should be NLN accredited. In my local area all the schools are CCNE accredited including the University of Washington. Are both these accredidations acceptable?

Alexandres · Apr 1, 2006

You could finish your BSN through an online program. I received my BSN this past May and started anesthesia school in August. I even moved to a different state while finishing my BSN. As long as the school is NLN accredited, you should be fine. The great part is that you do most of your work at home and attend class on the computer. I received my degree from here:
http://bsnlinc.wisconsin.edu/
Good luck.

Hi Jenniek,

How did you like this program?

WVUturtle514 · Apr 1, 2006

My fiance was in a similar situation. He complete his BS in criminal justice and then went back and got his ADN. He has now decided to go back to CRNA school is currently completing his RN-BSN online through West Virginia University. As long as you have your RN, you should be able to complete all of the requirements online, without ever having to set foot in a classroom. It's worked out good for us, b/c we are currently living in Washington, DC. Best of luck to you!!!!

Just a CRNA · Apr 1, 2006

Remember that many schools do not ABSOLUTELY require a BSN in order to apply. An ADN with a Bachelor's degree in another field of science will suffice if the anesthesia program is not granting an MSN, but another type of Master's degree. Check out the schools in which you are interested...this may save some time and money.

TexasGas · Apr 3, 2006

I am an example of one that was not required to have a BSN. I have bachelor's degrees in Chemistry and Zoology. Received an ADN, and was NEVER asked about the lack of a BSN. If your bachelor's is in a life science, don't watse the time.