Contemplating CRNA..advice?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

Well, I have mulled around on this board for awhile now and I only recently learned what a CRNA is...up until last semester I had not even known they existed. Up until a two years ago, I had never even considered nursing though...kind of ended up in it haphazardly and I am thrilled.

I am becoming more and more interested in pursuing CRNA and there are some very good programs in my area.

Currently, I am an ADN nursing student with two semesters under my belt and two more to go. My initial plan was to enter an RN~BSN~MSN program and take the nurse educator route (I love to learn and I love to teach) I have been working as a tech for several months now in ICU, and I am solid in the idea that this is the area I will stay. I have already been guaranteed a job there once I graduate. I love critical care.

My overall GPA is 3.3 currently (and rising...as when I started out as a general college major I did not take my education seriously...which has drastically changed). I do quite well and I strive for excellence. I am very competitive with not others, but myself. I have made mostly A's the last two semester (Nursing Fundamentals, Pharmacology, A&P I & II, Microbiology, Med/Surg Nursing, and Human Growth).

I am looking at the University of Arkansas and UT as prospective schools to attend. So here are my questions.

Should I just shoot for my Bachelor's since these programs seem to be MSN programs or should I obtain my masters degree anyway (it will be added time and tuition)? If I do go for my masters, then what route Acute Care, FNP, Educator...does it matter?

My science classes tend to be my highest grades and I will be taking Chemistry I & II this summer...do you think that is wise because it is abbreviated? Should I take physics as well since it is not required for my BSN?

I have a study guide for the GRE and will be taking it next summer. What score should I shoot for? Don't know much about the scoring process...

Also, how financially demanding is CRNA school...do you think it can be done when hubby only makes $30K a year and without me being able to work? That is a scary thought you know...

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I'm not sure about which path you should take, but I can give you some information on the cost. This is a link for the University of South Carolina's CRNA program. I'm pretty sure its not where you will be going but it will give you some idea of the costs. http://anesthesia.med.sc.edu/Overview.htm I hope this helps.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.

ASU is 30K+ and UT is elusive on their website about tuition and fees so I expect it to be possibly higher. I understand that there are student loans, grants, etc. I am less worried about funding my schooling as I am about feeding/housing me and hubby and putting gas in the car with only one income!:eek: Any success stories on how previous and current SRNAs did it?

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You can do a search on loans in the CRNA and PRE-CRNA forums. This has been discussed recently. If you want to do it, the money will be available to you.

Jennie

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UT is elusive on their website about tuition and fees so I expect it to be possibly higher. \QUOTE]

UT actually costs just a bit over 10K total. Probably elusive because they are so cheap!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
UT is elusive on their website about tuition and fees so I expect it to be possibly higher. \QUOTE]

UT actually costs just a bit over 10K total. Probably elusive because they are so cheap!

Is that a master's or post master's program?

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Is that a master's or post master's program?

For the CRNA program (MSN)

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To be honest, I would not spend the extra tuition and time it takes to obtain 2 master's degrees. Right now it sounds like you just know you want to obtain a Master's one day, but have no idea which route to take. Nurse educator and CRNA are 2 COMPLETELY different professions. Wait until you are out in the clinical world and shadow a CRNA and a nurse educator, then make your decision. I don't see any way it would benefit you to do both unless you just wanted both degrees and the extra knowledge.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
To be honest, I would not spend the extra tuition and time it takes to obtain 2 master's degrees. Right now it sounds like you just know you want to obtain a Master's one day, but have no idea which route to take. Nurse educator and CRNA are 2 COMPLETELY different professions. Wait until you are out in the clinical world and shadow a CRNA and a nurse educator, then make your decision. I don't see any way it would benefit you to do both unless you just wanted both degrees and the extra knowledge.

I completely understand the difference in the two routes. I have shadowed a CRNA in the OR. And I have detailed knowledge on what being a nurse educator entails. I am worried about the competitive edge. Some applicants may already possess an MSN or a BA with another degree...and going the Nurse Educator route will only be another year at the University I am going to attend. The problem is I have to chose the route now. You see, I am going to a satelite school for the UofM and they have two programs that you can do after ADN. RN~BSN, a one year course. And RN~BSN~MSN, a two yr course with 4 NP routes and NE route. But their requirements for acceptance are different and you must apply to one or the other and if you choose BSN, you can't switch over to the MSN program due to the nature of the program. So I would have to attend another college. (The main campus is way too far...about 300 miles from me). So do you think I will be cutting myself short if I decide to go the BSN route? Especially if I don't get into CRNA school.

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I see what you mean. If you take the BSN route and then don't get into CRNA school, are you going to regret not going ahead and getting your MSN (nurse educator) in 1 year when you had the chance. If you really want to be a CRNA and don't get in your first try, you just keep trying! You will get in eventually. It is competitve, but you still have a few years of school left to get your grades up and make it happen. I think the majority of the applicants for CRNA schools across the country have a BSN only. Out of 70 people in my class, only 4 are already master's degree nurses (NP's). The ages range from 26-50 years old. I don't know how old you are, but you have plenty of time. If it were me, I'd say, I'm going to be a CRNA and I'm not going to waste another year on school and tuition that could be spent in the ICU and applying to CRNA school. It's a tough decision. Good luck.

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