CRNA School requirements

[savyj96]

This summer I will have a chance to take an extra course or two before entering my senior year of nursing school. I am very interested in CRNA school, and I heard that most requirement an extra class besides the normal BSN curriculum. However, I don't know whether to take biochem or organic chemistry. Does anyone have any advice on which classes I should be taking?

[LessValuableNinja]

You should be looking at schools to which you intend to apply. They're all different.

[savyj96]

I'm looking at schools in New York and Philadelphia after I graduation. It's my dream to live near the city for a bit post grad, so I guess Columbia, Penn, TJU, NYU, etc.

[AliNajaCat]

So...you call them up and ask them!

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

CRNA school requires MANY extra courses above and beyond the general BSN coursework, as well as 1-2 years of ICU nursing experience. Also, most schools in the Philadelphia area (I can't speak to NY) have 2-3 year waiting lists. That means that if you graduate in 2018, immediately get a job in an ICU and work for 1-2 years, then apply to CRNA school and get in, you're looking at starting that program somewhere around 2022. By that time, I'd expect a 36 month doctorate program (the current standard is 26-28 month master's programs, but the transition to doctorate is already happening in several popular programs in this area. (Keep in mind as well that these are intense, full-time programs that will only allow you to work few, if any hours while you are enrolled. In fact, some programs require you get special permission to work over and above the required classes, so be sure you plan your finances accordingly.)

I also wouldn't expect any of those programs to accept a baccalaureate level course as a replacement for any of their required, graduate level sciences. I looked briefly at the curriculum for Villanova and Jefferson (two well known CRNA programs, both currently only offering 36m DNP routes) and neither listed a simple organic chemistry” or related course. Instead, the chemistry and anatomy classes are all specific to how it related to anesthesia.

So if you have the chance to take extra classes for free, take whatever suits your interests now. Neither organic chem or biochem will make you a more competitive CRNA school candidate. Your GPA and professional experience will be the most important factors. If you have to pay for these classes, I highly suggest saving your money for what will be a length and expensive full-time graduate program.