Combining a RN and CRNA education

megan_EMT · Jan 25, 2011

While I agree completely with the above statements. U Penn offers an Accelerated BSN --> MSN program that includes their CRNA program. Rarely do people actually get pre-admitted to their CRNA program, but it is an option. Also, you will be expected to work for 2 years in critical care prior to starting the CRNA program and you will be 're-evaluated' prior to being allowed to start. This is to make sure your critical care experience meets their requirements and you're prepared for the program.

SummerGarden, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2011

I Being that I already have BA, are there any schools that offer a combined BSN/CRNA program?

I hope not!! That would be dangerous for patients.

GM2RN · Jan 25, 2011

You will minimally need your ADN + 2 years critical care experience. In order to earn your ADN, you are going to need to take the basic science pre-reqs like Microbiology, 2 semesters of A&P, and your basic chemistry classes up through Organic and/or Biochemistry. Understand that most CRNA programs will want you to have a BSN, but there are a few that allow/consider a seperate BS degree + an ADN. I do not know if any will consider a BA + ADN, but there may be a school or two out there that will. Knowing that your choices will be severely limited with a BA and an ADN and considering the fact that earning your BSN would likely only take a semester or two longer, I'd recommend comitting to the BSN route from the get-go. I had my BS in Biology and an AD in Respiratory Therapy, and despite the fact that my CRNA program of choice did accept/consider the BS + ADN combination, I opted to earn my BSN. I chose this route because I wanted the CRNA program to be able to compare apples to apples; ie. my BSN grades vs my BS Biology grades. The waiting list at all the ADN programs was also going to make earning an ADN an equally long process.
All that said, if you truly want to become a CRNA, my advice is to go back and get your BSN. You will then need two years critical care experience. You will be able to apply to most programs after your first year of CC experience with the understanding that you will have 2 years under your belt by the time you start their program. Once you make it to that point, if you get accepted, understand that you will be giving up life as you know it for 27 months. I don't want to or mean to throw a wet blanket on your dream, but your question makes me wonder if you have truly researched what is involved in becoming a CRNA. Other than the necessary pre-program experience that you will need, there is no combined program because it takes everything you, me, and 99.9% of all very smart and hard working people who get accepted...it takes everything we have mentally, physically, and emotionally to excell in the program. Most programs exist to put excellent CRNAs in the workforce; those programs that don't will expose themselves with low board passing rates and high dropout rates.
All that said, if you have shadowed a critical care RN for a couple of shifts and you have shadowed a CRNA for a few shifts and you want to pursue this as a career, go for it with all you've got. I'm 42, and I left a very secure, happy, and comfy life with both my wife and I making very good money in a great part of the world to pursue my dream. That was six years ago, and despite having to uproot the family and go into a pile of debt, it has been a wonderful experience. It has been very challenging and very stressful, but I would not change a thing. I have 16 months until I graduate, so I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. My only advice to you is that if you decide to go for it, make sure your loved ones and you can and will commit to it completely. Every grade in every class is important; aim for 100's and make As. While you might get accepted with some Bs here and there, you do not want to take any chances for the commitment you are about to make. MAKE THE GRADES! Do what it takes to blow the GRE up! Look at the GRE as an opportunity vs a burden. While you might not need anything more than a 1000, you will be looking really good with a 1200+. Start talking to and getting to know the directors/managers of the units in the hospitals where the schools are plucking RNs from. Let them know early and often that you want to come in there directly from school and that you can and will handle it. Get in their ear and stay in it. Make them understand that despite your lack of experience, you are capable and willing to do what it takes to excell despite the steep learning curve. The sooner you get into a critical care unit, the quicker you will be in position to apply.
I know that is a ton more than you asked for, but I figured I'd lay it out like I know it to be to save you a little surfing time. Good luck with whatever you decide.

While this is good advice, let me add that I wouldn't mention that your ultimate goal is the CRNA program. Managers tend not to hire those who they know will only be with them for 1-2 years, after they have spent tons of money training them. So I would recommend that you keep your long-term plans to yourself, at least until after you have been working for awhile.

allnurses Guide · Jan 25, 2011

Actually the AANA does NOT, repeat does NOT require one year of ICU... The wording is one year of ACUTE CARE..
The reality is it is rare in the EXTREME to get admitted without ICU experience...With the notable exception of the US ARMY.

The Army and the AF both will take students without ICU experience (usually ER or OR experience), but all those students I have met had excellent military nursing backgrounds with deployments under their belts.

BCRNA · Jan 25, 2011

No, that wouldn't be possible. Much of the CRNA program interview is based on clinical competence. Which can't be assessed if you never worked a sn RN. There are MSN/BSN programs for other fields, but none for anesthesia. Your only options are BSN, work for one year; or accellerated MSN (in another field than anesthesia) and then a post masters program. A post masters is nice in that only anesthesia classes have to be taken. Your class load during the program is a little smaller.

Most programs will accept any bachelor degree, as long as you are a RN. There are a few that specify BSN though, because the nursing school requires it for their MSN. Most anesthesia schools don't care, and it would probably look better to have a BS in some science. Anesthesia programs are extremely heavy in the sciences, unlike the other advanced nursing degrees.

I would suggest you look into a accel. MSN with the CNL track (for new nurses that dont want NP or CNS). Will still have to work for at least one year in ICU afterwards though. cnl is certified nurse leader. It is fairly new.

prnstudent · Jan 25, 2011

Take a look at Columbia. They have what you're looking for. They accept about 10 people a year into anesthesia through the ETP program, which is for students like yourself who already have a bachelors in another field. You spend one calendar year doing an accelerated bachelors, after which you need to find and work in an ICU position for one year before you can start the Masters for anesthesia. It's really competitive though, so make sure your application is strong. Good luck.

ssrhythm · Jan 25, 2011

Actually the AANA does NOT, repeat does NOT require one year of ICU... The wording is one year of ACUTE CARE..
The reality is it is rare in the EXTREME to get admitted without ICU experience...With the notable exception of the US ARMY.

The AANA does not interview and accept you to a program.

remifentanil · Jan 25, 2011

The AANA does not interview and accept you to a program.

I am aware of that. And I was the person that interviews and accepted students at 2 schools. While the programs I was involved with did not under any circumstances accept non ICU experience. I can assure you there are programs that accepted PACU,ER and OR experience... There are more schools than there are well qualified students.....if you can't get in a program today. You should not be a CRNA.......

Skip219, BSN, RN · Feb 16, 2011

Hi,

I went to school who had her BS in Biology. She was attended an BSN program, worked in ICU for a year, and attended a MS in Nurse Anesthesia program. So its not the norm, but its possible.

Skip