current BSN student looking to become CRNA

mindlor · Nov 12, 2011

Before doing CRNA, in addition to your BSN, you will need chem I, II, Organic Chem I,II, Physics I.II, and most programs that I researched like a semmester of Calculus.....you will need to look at prereqs for your school. Only after prereqs can you apply.....work hard m8 cuz 3.14 may be a little light. For most programs you will also need to take the GRE and do well....

That outta get you started :)

BrisonL · Nov 12, 2011

I'm new to this site. It is so informative. I'm interesting in becoming a CRNA. I start my first semester in the nursing program. Thanks for asking infor about becoming a CRNA Newmail445 & thanks for the response Mindlor

allnurses Guide · Nov 13, 2011

Before doing CRNA, in addition to your BSN, you will need chem I, II, Organic Chem I,II, Physics I.II, and most programs that I researched like a semmester of Calculus.....you will need to look at prereqs for your school. Only after prereqs can you apply.....work hard m8 cuz 3.14 may be a little light. For most programs you will also need to take the GRE and do well....
That outta get you started :)

Do you mind sharing which programs these are that require these prereqs? I actually haven't heard of any programs that require all these prereqs.

It is usually one semester of Organic or Biochem, which usually requires 2 semesters of Gen Chem before you take them. The only maths that are usually required is statistics and college algebra. I haven't heard of any programs requiring physics either.

The best place to start looking for information on how to become a CRNA is always the AANA.

allnurses Guide · Nov 13, 2011

HI! Some Background info: I'm 21 y/o male in my 3rd year BSN program (first semester doing nursing classes/clinicals). My overall GPA is currently 3.14 . I'm interested in becoming a CRNA for the advanced scientific thinking and job autonomy.
My plan is to finish my degree, work 1 yr in the navy somewhere in ICU to get the critical care experience necessary to apply to CRNA school and hopefully have them fund it. I'd like your opinion on whether this is a realistic plan for me. Please offer all your educational experiences on the road to getting into CRNA school/ obtaining the certification. What were your grades like? How competitive was the program? How many years did you work prior to getting into a program, etc? Also, I'd be nice to know how old you were when you became a CRNA because I want to see how realistic my straight forward plan is. Thank you for any and all opinions and responses. If possible, include when they are changing the degree from Master's to Doctorate and any options you people have to offer.

The Navy does not take new grads into the ICU unless things have radically changed in the last couple of years. It takes about 18-24 months to get accepted into the military from when you first start your paperwork.

Active duty applicants have to meet a minimum number of years on station/TOS before they can apply to school. It is usually 2yrs TOS. You apply one year for the following school year, so at a bare minimum it is 3yrs before you could goto school. As a new grad in the Navy you will have to do 2-3+yrs on med-surg etc. before you can move to the ICU, and then usually another 2-3yrs there before you can apply to school.

In other words: 18-24months to get into the military, 2-3yrs med-surg, 2-3yrs in ICU before applying to school, and 1yr wait after you apply to get into school. It takes most active duty applicants 5+yrs before they get into nurse anesthesia school.

You can look the USUHS website for the Navy nurse anesthesia program. All active duty Navy SRNAs goto USUHS now. USUHS next nurse anesthesia class will be BSN to DNP students. The rest of your information you can search through here and AANA to get the answers.

BrisonL · Nov 13, 2011

But I'm thinking if I volunteer while in nursing program, participate in nursing student program at a magnet hospital, then upon graduating I will have developed a great working relationship to prove I'm clinically worthy of working in a IC unit. The sooner the better for working in ICU so when I apply for a nurse corp officer, would the army consider my experience as a civil nurse because they require 6 months experience to become apply as a nurse officer?

allnurses Guide · Nov 13, 2011

But I'm thinking if I volunteer while in nursing program, participate in nursing student program at a magnet hospital, then upon graduating I will have developed a great working relationship to prove I'm clinically worthy of working in a IC unit. The sooner the better for working in ICU so when I apply for a nurse corp officer, would the army consider my experience as a civil nurse because they require 6 months experience to become apply as a nurse officer?

The military won't take that as ICU experience. The military will not consider anything done as a student nurse towards nursing experience.

The Army does have different requirements and it used to allow nurses to go directly into a critical care nurse training course. The Army also has the only direct entry civilian to military CRNA program.

You should be focusing on nursing school and your grades right now. A lot of schools aren't going consider your application with a 3.14 GPA and one year of nursing experience anyways.

BrisonL · Nov 13, 2011

Yes, that's I'm referring to regarding the Army. I'm definitely not thinking they would consider student nursing as experience. I only say that to show you my plan how to get to ICU as quickly as possible while I'm getting my BS. I wanna be totally aware while making these 5 yr goals so that's why I said all that.

allnurses Guide · Nov 13, 2011

Yes, that's I'm referring to regarding the Army. I'm definitely not thinking they would consider student nursing as experience. I only say that to show you my plan how to get to ICU as quickly as possible while I'm getting my BS. I wanna be totally aware while making these 5 yr goals so that's why I said all that.

If your considering civilian nursing your plan is fine. If you are considering military nursing then the military will not count or consider anything you did as student nurse (it won't get you into ICU any faster).

The average critical care experience for SRNAs is around 3-5 yrs. The COA is revising their requirements now and there maybe changes coming soon to how much experience is required.

You need to read the sticky section on here, the AANA section on how to become a CRNA, and do some shadowing of different CRNAs just for starters. You can plan on 3-5yrs+ post BSN school before getting into military or civilian nurse anesthesia school.

BrisonL · Nov 13, 2011

Wow, well getting those other classes beyond chemistry shouldn't be a problem. My chem professor told me taking biochem would be serve someone would in anesthesia. I will look for the infor regarding becoming a CRNA. Thanks for the infor!

Servingshots · Nov 13, 2011

Wtbcrna,

I have been looking for guide books specific to Getting into crna school And books that have personal stories from CRNAs in regards to thier stories and experiences. Seeing as you are a crna, do you recommend any or are there even any out there?

BrisonL · Nov 13, 2011

I think your question is directed at Mindlor. I'm just a nursing student but he advised me on the aana.com. Definitely check that site out.