Direct entry MSN or accelerated BSN??????

shandsburnRN-CRNA · Dec 27, 2007

In general I believe most CRNA programs look at your last 60 hours of undergrad work and your sciences for GPA measures as well as the GRE. There is no direct entry MSN program for CRNA programs. Probably because they very, very competitive.

The best thing for you to do is to work toward your BSN and do well in all your sciences. Pick up some organic chem on the way if it is not part of your nursing prereqs/program. Study for the GRE and do well on it. Shadow some CRNA's to see what it is they do on a day to day basis. Talk to some programs you are interested in to see what they look for in an applicant.

Good Luck!!!!

Summitk2 · Jan 2, 2008

I don't know if they still exist, but Columbia and Georgetown both offered a pseudo-"Direct Entry" MSN to nurse anesthesia (yes, still requiring critical care experience between BSN and NA program).

Although some anesthesia schools may emphasize your most recent (and most applicable) course work and grades, all schools will require all your college transcripts and will see all your grades.

My advice is to NOT focus on anesthesia just yet. There are many steps to becoming a CRNA and every step is crucial. You need to put your best foot forward, starting at the very beginning with Intro Bio and Chem. So for you, focus on getting your nursing pre-requisite classes done with a 4.0 and start researching nursing schools. (In my area, just getting into nursing school is hard!) I would shadow a CRNA later, when you're an ICU nurse.

Good luck,

Summitk2

armynse · Jan 3, 2008

Accelerated BSN? Do you possess an ADN already? Or, do you have a degree in another science-related field? Unfortunately, there are no direct entry MSN programs in anesthesia. As another poster stated, the field is far too competitive to allow for direct entry.

I know that you have read or will read about the importance of your GPA. I cannot stress that enough. Keep in mind that everyone who became a CRNA started off with a dream. Take your time and focus on one thing at a time...you will be glad that you did when the time comes to compete for a coveted spot in a CRNA program.

As far as chemistry is concerned, I do not recommend taking Organic or Biochem until after you've completed your BSN(unless,of course, it is required.) Remember, one step at a time...

krzysiu · Jan 6, 2008

Hey guys, I have recently started looking into nursing. I am currently in college and is planning on either applying to accelerated BSN or Direct entry MSN program. My question is accelerated BSN is an one year program, so if i'm considering applying to CRNA program after that, will they just look at the gpa that i had for just that 1 year plus GRE? Also, is there any direct entry MSN program for CRNA programs?
and in general, what is the best thing for a college student to do right now if they want to be a nurse anesthesis?
Thanks a lot!!!

I have an accelerated BSN from Loyola University in Chicago. I held a degree in Chemistry prior to nursing school. Applied to 2 CRNA programs have 2 acceptances. ABSN is ALL the same material as the "major" classes from the last 2 years of a 4 year BSN program. It is just taking place in half the time. The school I chose actually praised the fact that I held an "A-BSN". Showed I can handle a larger case load and still perform well in the program. They did look very closely at the science GPA.

chris