CRNA Programs in New England for Non-nursing majors?

Specialties CRNA

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Just a little back ground, I am looking for an accelerated CRNA program in the newengland area.

I am graduating this May with a degree in biochemistry and originally was going to apply to med school, and I have already taken the MCAT's, scoring two 8's and a 9. I should be graduating with a GPA in the high 3.3's to the 3.

4's.

I am now Very intrested in going into be a CRNA and the only accelerated program for non-nursing majors that I found was at Northeastern.

Can anyone post a list of schools in the New england area that have accelerated (direct entry) CRNA programs for non-nursing majors?

Thank you!

The only schools that will admit you to a CRNA program without the RN, as I posted before, are Georgetown in DC and Columbia in New York. Go to their websites for further information. For all other CRNA programs, you can go to www.allnursingschools.com

While I am sure your academics were rigorous, these programs are very competitive. The only way to find out if you can be admitted it to apply. Good luck!

I apreciate all of the discussion on the need for education, I agree...I have taken a full year of A&P as well as pathophysiology and pharmacology, I do not have a grade below a B on my entire transcript, and believe me biochemistry classes are no joke. I spent a year doing research with the estrogen receptor alpha and studying the effects of resistance of tamoxifin citrate (nolvadex) in pre and post menapousal women. I will also be graduating with a minor in genetics.

The fact remains that I am no stranger to hard work, I spent 4 years in the Marine corps and am putting my self back through school myself. What I would really like to know is a List of Schools that I can apply to that have a program to become a CRNA, wether or not I have to take a year off to work in a ICU with a corrisponding hospital and then return and complete is fine.

I just need a list of schools if anyone has this information.

Thank you

Thank you for the information! Foto

please let me know if anyone else has any other information on other schools

please let me know if anyone else has any other information on other schools

The most direct source of information on accredited nurse anesthesia programs can be found on the AANA website, http://www.aana.com. Look for the link to "accredited programs" and search by state.

The information you have been given here is accurate (to my knowledge). There are two direct entry programs, but they are not you only option.

Applicants who have a non-nursing bachelor's are accepted in about half of our nurse anesthesia programs. Of course, you must also be a RN with the minimum work experience. Some with backgrounds similar to yours get an accelerated BSN (about 14-16 months) or a two year associate nursing degree, get their experience, and then apply to anesthesia school.

We have had several discussions here about this (you could do a search to find them), and it sounds to me like the total time is pretty similar either way (direct entry, or "traditional").

One thing to remember is that a pre-med background doesn't really give you any "leg-up" over other applicants. Not saying you think this, but I have run into quite a few people who make this assumption. I have talked to physicians, pharmacists, veterinarians, etc. who thought that their previous backgrounds would be a huge advantage to them in becoming a nurse anesthetist. Not true. Of course, it never hurts to have good solid science grades on your transcript, but otherwise I don't think it makes any difference.

Good luck to you,

loisane crna

thank you loisane,

Has anyone worked with PA's in anesthesia, there are a few direct entry programs for that, just wondering what everyone thinks. Pay compairison? Actual work that you do? things like that

PAs don't generally work in Anesthesia. There are Anesthesia Assistant programs in Ohio and GA. They are limited to which states they can practice. I think, however, that they pretty much work in the same jobs that CRNAs do in those states (same pay, responsibilities, status, etc.). The biggest issue between the AA/CRNA careers is that CRNAs can be reimbursed under medicare/medicaid in most states, whereas AAs can not in any. Depending upon your practice and career goals, this may not be an issue. CRNAs can also practice solo in most states, whereas AAs always work under a physician. Again, these are issues that may or may not matter to you.

I think GA licenses them as Anesthesia PAs, but they go through a completely different program than the regular PAs and the licenses are not interchangeable. There are a few regular PAs that work in Anesthesia, but even fewer still actually administer anesthetics. They tend to do pre and post op workups.

You can enter the AA programs with your qualifications, although I do not know how competitive they are.

There is another forum for PAs that discusses this www.physicianassociate.com

but it was hacked over the last few weeks and I am not sure if it is back up.

Good luck.

thank you loisane,

Has anyone worked with PA's in anesthesia, there are a few direct entry programs for that, just wondering what everyone thinks. Pay compairison? Actual work that you do? things like that

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