CNM to CRNA...

The post-masters certificates are for current CRNA's who do not hold a masters degree, so you would have to go through another masters program, there are a few PHd programs but I believe they are also for students who are already CRNA's.

That being said, there is such a shortage of nurses now, that it should not be any problem to find a job in an ICU. Just apply. Good luck to you!

It was my understanding that post-master's meant exactly that. I know, for example, that Villanova University (reasonably close to home) offers a post master's certificate to those who already possess an MSN and wish to become a nurse anesthetist. I thought post master's certificates were directed at those who already possessed a master's degree (usually an MSN), and that the point was to eliminate repetitive course work in an effort to focus on anesthesia.

Your right, I was confusing it with the degree completion programs. If you go that route are you still required to complete at least 24 months in the program?

While I have not yet researched the majority of post-Master's programs, my guess is that the programs are indeed at least 24 months in length. Again, I'm not entirely sure, however.

I think I read somewhere, maybe at aana.com that the minimum length of any program is 24 months. I believe you will have to get in there with the rest of the applicants, and do the masters thing again. We have one student in our class with credit hours from a prior masters that is haveing to take everything again. They might get out of ethics. You may be able to skip a few more classes in a MSN oriented program.

Craig

In my program there is little to shorten. Most of the classes from anatomy to pharm are really geared toward anesthesia. I would guess you could get out of stats, possibly research (not in ours), maybe biochem if you have recently done those. Thats about it though. Also, it doesn't shorten the program any, you have to move thru each semester as it comes. You just may have a class less.

Babycatcher, dont forget that the schools will want you to have ICU experience and alot of them want recent experience, this is not to undermine the valuable experience that you have but it is a way to keep the bar up.

Bridgeport has a 24month program, the university used is Southern CT, this is near youre old stomping grounds!! (Yale)

I agree completely. My plan is to head to hospital soon. I'm concerned about finding an ICU position as I've been out of clinical care for about 5 years. I'm taking a nursing refresher course this fall and hope that will help. I feel a bit like I'm going in reverse to move forward ;-)

I think the one of the valuable experiences I will bring to the table (when it's time) is the ability to fully manage and accept liability for patient care (X 2).

In any event, recent ICU experience is clearly necessary and that is at the top of my to do list.

Thanks for your thoughts!

You should have no problem finding a position in the ICU. I would say that if you play your cards right, you could even swing a sign on bonus for your trouble. If you would like to relocate to my old place of employment for example, you could probably start at over $22 and hour, and get the mentioned bonus. Plus up your pay through participation in the clinical ladder.

Good luck. Remember, the ICU's you will be applying to probably need you more than you need them.

Nil... $22/hour??? That's not so hot. Is that what nurses make in MD? I'm in Los Angeles and we are looking at 32-35/hr. Clin III critical care.

Yes, Qwiigley, but the cost of living on the "left coast" is roughly 475 times greater than anywhere else in the US. Any chance, at that salary, you would ever be able to afford a decent house where you are?

Kevin McHugh, CRNA

Just realized, I hadn't answered the question. Babycatcher, I'm not aware of any post-master's certificate programs for MSN prepared CRNA students. Not to say they don't exist, just I am not aware of any.

As already pointed out, there are not many anesthesia related classes that you "already have." Even the pharm and anatomy courses have a specific anesthesia stress. I would recommend that you look into programs that offer MSNA (Master's of Science in Nurse Anesthesia) degrees rather than MSN's. The biggest difference in the two types of programs is that to obtain a MSNA, you don't need the coursework required by the NLN and ANA for a MSN, specifically, the nursing theory and some other foolish course. Since you are already involved in research, talk to the program director about perhaps not having to take the research course that most programs require.

The program I attended at Newman University, in Wichita, Kansas, is such a program. Check out their website:

http://www.newmanu.edu/gradnan.html

A bonus is that this program is only two years, which is the shortest length program out there.

Kevin McHugh, CRNA