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Discussion

Career Change

Hello All!

I've been lurking around on the site for about 6 months now and have found lots of great information about the industry. As the title states, I will be changing my career path. I have been in Sales for the past 10 years and love the challenges and people that I meet everyday, but due to my mothers recent death, I have decided to move into a career field that will allow me to help more people and be alot more selffulfilling.

The reason I am posting here in APN/CRNA is because I want to move into this direction. I have a few questions about the education that is necessary and would like to get input from the pros out there that have the experience and knowledge that I am looking for.

I am currently working on my science courses that will allow me to transfer to a Cal State University to obtain my Bachelors. I was wondering what would be the best bachelors degree for me to obtain to move me in the direction of the CRNA? I heard that BSN would be enough then get the expericence and thereafter apply to the CRNA program. Then I heard a BS in Health Science or Biology would be the way to go. So what would be best in this case? Is there an advantage to getting the BSN then the CRNA? Being I can still do RN work in the event I choose too.

I also heard that trying to get into a Anesthesia Technician position at a hospital will get me good exposure to what the field is like and will allow me to be ahead of the pack and get me a higher chance of getting accepted to a great program by having the experience in the setting.

What would you all suggest I do? I am so excited to face the challenges as thats what I strive for and look forward to the obstecals ahead of me. I just need some guidance as I have never been in the industry, but very interested in it.

Thanks in advanced and thanks for what you all do!

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    • Experts

    Hi and welcome!

    Congrats on choosing nursing!

    What degree would you use to work as an RN? For that you would need a BSN not a BS in Biology or some other subject.

    CRNA usually requires at least one year of ICU and some schools do require more.

    NP can be attained several ways:

    1. If you have a bachelors degree in something (anything) you do a direct entry MSN (masters in the science of nursing) and go straight to the NP.

    2. If you do not have a bachelors degree already, you can do a BSN and then go for the MSN.

    I always advise people though to please, please consider the economy and unemployment rates where you live. In many places in the US nurses are among the unemployed. And that does include APNs.

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    • Author

    Thanks TraumaRUs!

    I live in Southern California and plan on moving to Northern California Once My BSN is attained. Nurses are in a shortage out here and I have heard and know of people that have just graduated and getting assigned a hospital before they graduate. So I am guessing that they are in need over here. I am new to all this so thank you for your reply. So would NP mean Nurse Practicitioner?

    Also, why would they recommend to get a Biology or Health Science Degree? Would getting either these 2 degrees be more of an advantage compared to a BSN to get into a MSN or CRNA program?

    Thanks,

    Zig

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    To become a CRNA you need to become an RN. To become an RN, you need a BSN or an ADN. If you don't get the BSN and just get the BS then you will need to go back to school to get your ADN or some kind of BS to BSN bridge class just so you can become an RN.

    To sit for the NCLEX, which is the way you get your RN license, you must have either a BSN or ADN. Once you are an RN you need a minimum number of years experience in a critical care area, usually 1-2 years, to apply for your MSN as a CRNA.

    Once you graduate with the MSN from a CRNA program you qualify to sit for the certification test as a CRNA.

    You need the BSN, many people are finding it difficult to get a job with only an ADN, even if they have BA or BS in a different field.

    So no BS, get the BSN. :D

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    • Author
    To become a CRNA you need to become an RN. To become an RN, you need a BSN or an ADN. If you don't get the BSN and just get the BS then you will need to go back to school to get your ADN or some kind of BS to BSN bridge class just so you can become an RN.

    To sit for the NCLEX, which is the way you get your RN license, you must have either a BSN or ADN. Once you are an RN you need a minimum number of years experience in a critical care area, usually 1-2 years, to apply for your MSN as a CRNA.

    Once you graduate with the MSN from a CRNA program you qualify to sit for the certification test as a CRNA.

    You need the BSN, many people are finding it difficult to get a job with only an ADN, even if they have BA or BS in a different field.

    So no BS, get the BSN. :D

    Awesome!

    Thanks for the reply! Plain and simple. Thats excatly what I was thinking. So do you CRNA think that in the future that they would want a PHD instead of the Masters? Also, Would it be benefitial to find a job while going to school as a Anesthesia Technician?

    And LOL at the "no BS, get the BSN" :D

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    There is a push from the various advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) organizations to make the entry level degree for clinical practice as an APRN the DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Science. The goal date so far is 2015, but this is just a goal and I'm not sure how close they are to actually meeting it. Right now there are still MSN programs out there, so it seems that they aren't quite there yet, but the DNP programs are expanding.

    You may find that by the time you graduate with your BSN and get your 1-2 years of ICU experience that you will only be able to find DNP programs for CRNA (or any other APRN), but right now it's anyone's guess.

  • Quote
    • Author
    There is a push from the various advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) organizations to make the entry level degree for clinical practice as an APRN the DNP, or Doctor of Nursing Science. The goal date so far is 2015, but this is just a goal and I'm not sure how close they are to actually meeting it. Right now there are still MSN programs out there, so it seems that they aren't quite there yet, but the DNP programs are expanding.

    You may find that by the time you graduate with your BSN and get your 1-2 years of ICU experience that you will only be able to find DNP programs for CRNA (or any other APRN), but right now it's anyone's guess.

    Got it! Thanks! I had another question. I have an opportunity to get my BSN for free with the hospital that I work for now. They use Western Governors University (WGU). They are advertised here on this site. I was wondering what you folks think about that school and if you guys have heard anything about it pros/cons, goods/bads. I am tempted as there is no waiting list, first priority and the best thing about it is its free. I heard from other folks its all about passing the boards. Which school is not the important thing its if you pass, you pass and you are now registered.

    What do yall say?

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    From what I understand WGU only has an RN to BSN program. You'd need to at least have your RN before finishing it up there. So, if you have your ADN, then I'd say sure, let them pay for your BSN.

    So, if you don't have your RN, you'll have to go somewhere and get your ADN first.

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    I changed careers myself. I had gotton into a NP program without a BSN.

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    • Guides
    I live in Southern California and plan on moving to Northern California Once My BSN is attained. Nurses are in a shortage out here and I have heard and know of people that have just graduated and getting assigned a hospital before they graduate.

    I'm glad you are considering nursing as a career and I wish you good luck. However, be aware that though you may still hear about a "nursing shortage" from a few sources, the current reality is that many new nurses are actually having a hard time finding a job especially in many parts of California where better nurse to patient ratios, weather, and salaries seem to be attracting nurses from everywhere.

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