Choosing a school

[MichiganChris]

Do you think its an advantage to take your bsn at a school that offers crna, if your ultimate goal is to become a crna?

I'm narrowing my choices as to were to take my bsn, and one school offers crna and the other doesn't. Do you think it would be any easier to get accepted into the crna program if you took your bsn there? Obviously, it would be several years down the road, but I feel like this might give me a slight advantage. Only problem is, the school with the crna is more expensive and further away.

What does everybody think?

Thanks

[sewnew]

Your best bet would probably be to check with the CRNA program admissions director. Ask him/her what would make a competitive applicant for their CRNA program. While you are asking, you can sort of discreetly slip in your question about where you obtained your BSN.

As for my guess, I would think that it does give you an advantage if you graduated from their BSN program. Just my two cents.

[JadamR15]

Yeah, take it at the one that offers the CRNA program. First, you might be able to take some MSN level courses in your BSN degree, saving money and time. Also, you might get to meet some of the CRNA staff/faculty, building some rapport.

[mammothsnw]

CHris, every CRNA program weighs things differently. I would contact the programs you most likely apply to in the future and ask them if they would have a preference. From my experience in researching CRNA programs though, most schools just want to see the BSN with a good GPA, good science grades, and quality ICU experience. You're on the right track by planning so far ahead. I began planning for CRNA school while I was still working as an occupational therapist...I actually went to a counseling session at the anesthesia school I'm currently in prior to starting an accel BSN program (if that is an option for you I would highly recommend it -most CRNA schools look favorably on it b/c they know you can handle a lot of info ina short time...) Anyway..good luck...stay on track...it will be very worth your efforts.

[BSN06]

Obtaining your BSN at the school with the program may offer a little advantage simply because down the road, when you apply to the anesthesia program, a lot of the faculty will know you. I think it is more important to just get very good grades, regardless of where you go, then work in a unit with high acuity after you graduate. Personally I would go to the cheaper school. Good grades, GRE scores, work experience, and other things (like CCRN certification) will be what gets you into a program.

Out of curiosity what schools are you looking at?

[MichiganChris]

Great input. Thanks All.

[gasmaster]

The most important factor that I can stress in choosing a school is finding one that really cares about their students & will try their best to help you be a success. Of the schools I was accepted to, one rose above all the others when it came to caring about their students lives. That was TCU. As soon as I completed my interviews I knew it was where I wanted to be. A week before classes were to start I became very ill with pancreatitis (I have 2 of them, so freak thing). I was in the hospital the day my other classmates began school & I had to withdraw. TCU's director, Kay, was a great mentor & guided me to do what was best both emotionally & physically. I accepted a position in next years class & know that it was the very best decision ever. I am even more proud than ever to know that I will be an alumni of that program. I look back & wonder how others would have handled my situation. I have a vague feeling that I probably wouldn't have found the same support system that I found at TCU. Every staff member in that office knew me by name, cared about my family & me, and were true friends. So make sure you don't just pick a school for convenience sake, because you never know what is just around the bend that can change your whole life!