CRNA school with only an Associates Degree?

Published

So I'm currently in LPN school but my end goal is to be a CRNA. I was just doing some research on CRNA schools in the Tri-State Area. I was looking at the admission requirements for Columbia University and I see that it says you only need an Associates Degree in Nursing IF you already have a Bachelors Degree in a non-nursing field...which I do.

My original plan was:

LPN-->ADN-->BSN-->1-2 years nursing experience--> CRNA school

The reason why I'm going this route despite having a bachelors already is because I tried to get into an Accelerated BSN program back in 2017 but my prereq grades were not good enough. Instead of spending a year taking them over again, I just decided to go to LPN school and work my way back up. That way, I'll be able to make decent money while pursuing the next level in nursing. However, if I can completely skip over the BSN program, that would really help a lot.

My only fear is that I spend 1-2 years working right after my ADN with hopes of getting into Columbia and then I get rejected and end up having to get my BSN anyway in order to apply to other schools.

So..is this ADN to CRNA really a thing? or just at Columbia? Let me know!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA CEN CCRN-CMC.

Not familiar with Columbia's program. I can say from applying to a variety of other programs that CRNA school almost exclusively requires a BSN or higher degree in nursing in order to apply. I can also tell you that applying to CRNA school is EXTREMELY competitive and that if you can only apply to one program and you're hanging all of your hopes on one program that is probably a very poor strategy. I applied to four schools last year and interviewed at two and unfortunately didn't get into either. I'm now applying to more programs, so I'm not trying to be pessimistic but honestly if you truly want to become a CRNA I would plan for getting a BSN. It honestly isn't going to matter in the grand scheme of things anyways because you're going to have to work as an ICU RN for a year when you could be completing your BSN anyways.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
12 minutes ago, TPN1986 said:

Not familiar with Columbia's program. I can say from applying to a variety of other programs that CRNA school almost exclusively requires a BSN or higher degree in nursing in order to apply. I can also tell you that applying to CRNA school is EXTREMELY competitive and that if you can only apply to one program and you're hanging all of your hopes on one program that is probably a very poor strategy. I applied to four schools last year and interviewed at two and unfortunately didn't get into either. I'm now applying to more programs, so I'm not trying to be pessimistic but honestly if you truly want to become a CRNA I would plan for getting a BSN. It honestly isn't going to matter in the grand scheme of things anyways because you're going to have to work as an ICU RN for a year when you could be completing your BSN anyways.

I don't think you're being pessimistic. I appreciate your honest opinion because it's more or less what I was thinking anyway. And I believe you when you say CRNA school is extremely competitive. Even the ABSN program is competitive..especially in NY. I'm sure I would've been accepted if I was willing to relocate but that wasn't an option for me at the time. Im not sure where you live and whether or not you'd be willing to relocate but I was told that Barry University has a good crna program and is the easiest to get into in Florida. I think it's worth looking into if you haven't already.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.

There are many CRNA programs that will accept an RN with a related baccalaureate degree. Strong academic ability is key to completing a program. You should analyze the reason your GPA is not strong and consider that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
12 minutes ago, loveanesthesia said:

There are many CRNA programs that will accept an RN with a related baccalaureate degree. Strong academic ability is key to completing a program. You should analyze the reason your GPA is not strong and consider that.

..yeah..long story short, life happened. But my GPA now is pretty strong. Nothing I can do about the past.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.
8 minutes ago, Nursevibes said:

..yeah..long story short, life happened. But my GPA now is pretty strong. Nothing I can do about the past.

I’m thinking about the future, you don’t want to get a C or C+ and fail out of a CRNA program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.

There are a handful of schools that don't require a BSN, and a few more that prefer a BSN but will consider your application depending on what your bachelor's degree is in. I was looking into it for a friend and I think there were about 15-ish. If your degree is in-say Anthropology-- I would suggest you just go ahead and get your BSN. If your degree is in biology or chemistry or some other hard science, you might be okay without getting your BSN...but you also may not be as competitive.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CRNA.

If you go to CRNA School Search on the COA website you can fairly easily find the programs that accept related bachelors degrees. Starting alphabetically I found 10 out of the first 30 programs-and there are 120 total programs. The 10 I found:

Advent Health FL

Albany NY

Allegheny PA

Barry FL

Bryan College NE

Charleston WV

Columbia NY

Excela PA

Frances Payne OH

Georgetown DC

Keiser FL

Up Vote Up Vote ×
On 8/13/2019 at 8:11 PM, loveanesthesia said:

If you go to CRNA School Search on the COA website you can fairly easily find the programs that accept related bachelors degrees. Starting alphabetically I found 10 out of the first 30 programs-and there are 120 total programs. The 10 I found:

Advent Health FL

Albany NY

Allegheny PA

Barry FL

Bryan College NE

Charleston WV

Columbia NY

Excela PA

Frances Payne OH

Georgetown DC

Keiser FL

wow thanks so much!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion