CRNA Programs in New England for Non-nursing majors?

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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!

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Interesting, I'm surprised there are any schools offering that type of program.

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Your first year you earn your RN, then move on to complete the CRNA part.

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There is such a program??? How long is it???

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Well, there is at least a year of hiatus in which students must work in an ICU after they become RNs and before they start anesthesia curriculum. After that, I would guess that it is similar to the other CRNA programs, which average about 2.5 years.

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Well 1, 2 or 3 years in the ICU can only help make a better nurse and CRNA... Northeastern? Is it in Boston?

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I was unaware that Northeastern had such a program. I didn't see any information about it when I checked out their website. It says they require a BSN. It doesn't say anything about direct entry for the CRNA specialty. Then again, they don't always keep those things up to date.

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It was my understanding that the standards for admission are not set by the schools themselves... but by some sort of regulatory commission, maybe? I thought it was an absolute MUST that you be a RN and have X years of critical care experience. If so, I would think direct entry programs for this type of degree would not exist.

Maybe try asking in the CRNA forum?

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The only programs that I know of in the country are at Georgetown in DC and Columbia in NYC. I would suspect those are very competitive. I am not sure if your GPA is high enough. That could be overcome in applying to a traditional program by doing well in nursing school, and having solid critical care experience. If you read through other posts on the topic of admission to CRNA schools, the grades and scores are not necessarily a make or break deal all the time. Each program is looking for people who make a good "fit" and that is different fro each program.

Northeastern's program is a direct entry master's, but CRNA is not one of the specialty options. The other CRNA program in Boston is at BC, otherwise you would be looking at Maine, Rhode Island or COnnecticut. All these programs are traditional in that you need the RN, if not BSN and a year or more of critical care experience for admission. You should contact the schools you are interested in and find out what path they would recommend to you. Good luck!

Well 1, 2 or 3 years in the ICU can only help make a better nurse and CRNA... Northeastern? Is it in Boston?
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It was my understanding that the standards for admission are not set by the schools themselves... but by some sort of regulatory commission, maybe? I thought it was an absolute MUST that you be a RN and have X years of critical care experience. If so, I would think direct entry programs for this type of degree would not exist.

Maybe try asking in the CRNA forum?

Direct entry programs for which there is a requirement for experience issued by the accrediting body (NNP and CRNA come to mind) require students to take time off once they are RNs and they must work the required amount of time in the required specialty before they are allowed to progress. For NNP, they must work 2 years in a NICU. For CRNA they must work at least one year in an adult ICU, although many schools require more experience, one year is the minimum. Their admission to the specialty is contingent on completion of this requirement.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

I was thinking of CRNA school but would never go the quick way. That is one job IMO that you should suck it up and do your time in class....No offense

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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

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