Crna

Hello :)

I found this forum whle trying to find information about becoming a CRNA. I have one more year in high school left and my parents are putting on great pressure on me about deciding my career choice. I was always interested in pursuing something in the medical field but I didn't want to attend med school for 10 years. This is why I became interested in becoming a CRNA. I need a lot of information about this type of nursing. If there is anyone who has knowledge in this, please respond.

Thanks

Don't let your parents put pressure on you to figure out a career choice right now. Many people don't end up chosing a career choice / major until their second year of college, and even then, many people end up changing majors during their third or fourth year of college. So tell your parents that you are going to go to college to get a good education, concentrate on getting good grades right now, and don't worry too much about trying to figure out the rest of your life right now while you are a junior in HS. It is good to set goals, but be flexible too. Your still young, and you have plenty of time to explore different options.

Having said all that (I know, you didn't need a lecture) lets look at some options for you. Medical school is actually 4 years, not 10. CRNA school is typically about 2 years (or just slightly more at many), so really, medical school is only 2 years more than nurse anesthetist school. So, in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't that much more schooling to become an MD than a CRNA. Granted, there is residency after med-school, but at that point, you have graduated medical school and you are a physician. Over the next few years, I would suggest shadowing both CRNA's and Dr.'s, and get as much information as you can about both careers. Then you can really make an educated decision about which path you may decide. Anyway, good luck to you, and with work and good grades, I'm sure you can achieve all your goals.

Don't let your parents put pressure on you to figure out a career choice right now. Many people don't end up chosing a career choice / major until their second year of college, and even then, many people end up changing majors during their third or fourth year of college. So tell your parents that you are going to go to college to get a good education, concentrate on getting good grades right now, and don't worry too much about trying to figure out the rest of your life right now while you are a junior in HS. It is good to set goals, but be flexible too. Your still young, and you have plenty of time to explore different options.

Having said all that (I know, you didn't need a lecture) lets look at some options for you. Medical school is actually 4 years, not 10. CRNA school is typically about 2 years (or just slightly more at many), so really, medical school is only 2 years more than nurse anesthetist school. So, in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't that much more schooling to become an MD than a CRNA. Granted, there is residency after med-school, but at that point, you have graduated medical school and you are a physician. Over the next few years, I would suggest shadowing both CRNA's and Dr.'s, and get as much information as you can about both careers. Then you can really make an educated decision about which path you may decide. Anyway, good luck to you, and with work and good grades, I'm sure you can achieve all your goals.

Thank you for your reply. Becoming a physician sounds like a great job, but I don't think it's the one for me.

However, I have a few worries about becoming a CRNA. First, it sounds like it is tough to get a job as a CRNA and that they are not needed in many hospitals. Also, I'm having a hard time finding any colleges that have the program in anesthetists in Washington. So if anyone has any information about this, please let me know. Thanks.

B.o.S.- Please go to the American association for Nurse Anesthetists web site for accredited program information. There is also a sticky on this forum about becoming one and requirements for entry into CRNA school. There are no shortage of jobs for CRNA's and will only get better with time. Please do the research about the career and realize that you have to go to nursing school first. Then you need to work in an ICU for at least a year. During this time of training (just to be eligible to apply to CRNA school) you may have some experiences to sway you in other directions. Nursing is a wide open field... enjoy.

I know 2 people that are in nurse anesthetist school right now, and they both have jobs waiting for them when they get out. They told me that they are constantly getting letters wanting them to get a job somewhere...people are always trying to recruit them. It seems there are lots and lots of CRNA jobs out there, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Also, to find a school where you want, you can try going to discovernursing.com and do a search for schools that have a nurse anesthetist program in Washington. Sometimes, the information on that website is not 100% correct, but it is still a great place to start your search. Also, remember that you need to get a BSN (a 4 year degree in nursing) before you go to nurse anesthetist school, so new programs may open up by then. So I wouldn't stress over it. You will have options when the time comes. Well, hope that help.

Beauty,

I am applying for CRNA school next summer. It has been almost 4 yrs in the making now, starting from the time I entered nursing school. In that time I've learned a lot and became even more motivated to pursue this as a career. As you'll read here and hear from anyone in anesthesia, it is something you have to really want and strive for, not something you can be pressured into, or a "plan B". The path to get "there" likely isn't what you imagine it as now; some of what I learned would be enough to deter some people from pursuing it further. When I first decided I myself thought "Oh cool, finish undergrad(which I will ace), work a year(which will be a piece of cake), then start school(i'll get in no problem)....sounds easy enough." It didn't quite work like that for me, but I want it bad enough and I know it will come. I was a very bright and upper acheivinig student in high school as well, but as I said the path isn't as it seems and can make you question your committment at times.

HOWEVER, it is fantastic that you are looking into this at such an early age! I hope I didn't discourage you! The previous poster had it right: work your butt off for good grades, get into a good university/BSN program, and work your butt off there for good grades too. Just do a thorough search so you have a good idea of what to expect.

Hopefully your parents are understanding and will give you some latitude in your career decisions. I changed my major 3 times before graduating, many of my friends did the same. Search this site in depth; it has great info on the CRNA profession. If you find that it truly draws you in, then go for it!

As for the job outlook, you can again use this site to find that info, or go to gaswork.com to do a search of specific listings. The short of it is that you will find work easily, so long as you don't refuse to leave the city you're in (you mentioned that hospital doesn't employ many CRNA's). There are plenty of options.

There is a school in Washington at Gonzaga I believe. Again, if you really want it you'll have to be flexible, as most applicants sacrafice A LOT, including having to move great distances for a program. Use this link to find all programs in the USA: http://webapps.aana.com/AccreditedPrograms/accreditedprograms.asp?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=222&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=5&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=223&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=5&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6

Or the home site: www.aana.com and search from there.

PM me if you have any other questions! Good luck.

Thank you so much for your replies! I appreciate it so much!

I am really motivated to do this and I know for sure I want this as a career and I'll work hard. Anyways, I know I have to get a BSN (4 year) degree before the nurse anesthetist school. I just have a few questions about that..

Does it really matter if you go to a university or can you go to a college (one that offers a BSN)? I have some colleges around my area that offer this.

Also, when I apply for a job or when recruiters look do they look at the college/university you went to and what your c/u g.p.a was?

By "college," you mean a school that gives out bachelors' degrees but does not have graduate programs, right? That shouldn't make any difference, you just a need a BSN (or BS/BA and an ADN is acceptable at some schools) and very good grades. GPA is very important, although whether it's the most important factor varies by school. Most people who get in have over a 3.0, and many recommend a 3.5 to be competitive. A lot of schools will put more weight on your science/nursing GPA, so a lot of As in English, Spanish, and Anthropology might not make up for Cs in A&P and nursing courses, although they certainly won't hurt. Do your best in undergrad, and make sure that you're really committed to the number of hours that getting good grades in nursing courses requires. People have posted on this board that they've gotten in with less than a 3.0, but you need to really shine in another area of your application to make up for it - it's better not to put yourself in that situation if you already think you know what you want to do. All your classmates may be saying "C=RN," but C does not necessarily equal CRNA.

hi this is the track in simple terms u need a BSN(bac in Nursing), then atleast one yr ICU experience, then join a CRNA program thats it