Do you have limited time after a BSN to apply to CRNA programs?

heatherisbetter, BSN · Jun 10, 2015

The more nursing experience the better for CRNA school especially if it is in critical care. You will need at least a year experience to even get into travel nursing! I can't really answers the other questions well but there have been threads on them if you go to the bottom and search for them... Good luck!

**NICU Guy, BSN, RN** · Jun 10, 2015

Flight nursing, CRNA, and travel nursing are not possible without several years of experience. Flight nursing (ER-ER and Scene-ER) requires 3-5 years of ER/ Critical Care experience before consideration. Pediatric/Neonatal transport (hospital-hospital) requires 2-3 years experience in either PICU or NICU. CRNA requires 2-5 yrs experience in ICU. Many new grads find it hard to get a job in a hospital and even more difficult getting an ICU job as a new grad. It may take you a year or two in another area of a hospital before getting a position in an ICU. So, it may be about 3-5 yrs. before being able to apply for CRNA school. In addition, CRNA schools are very selective, so doing very well in nursing school and your ICU job is necessary to be considered.

mace8704 · Jun 10, 2015

Respectfully, I understand you're excited at all of these potential career opportunities, but you're too far ahead of yourself. Undergrads routinely underestimate how difficult it is to obtain the prereqs for CRNA school or flight nursing. My advice: focus on your immediate goals.

1) Graduate with a 3.5-4.0

2) Consider taking Biochem or O-chem. These prereqs prevented me from applying to several CRNA schools.

3) Study and pass the NCLEX on your first attempt

4) If you have time, study and take the GRE. Get a score > 302. Your GRE results are typically good for 5 years.

5) Lastly, focus on landing a job in an ICU. Do you have any critical care internships in your area for new grads? Do the hospitals in your area hire students who worked as part time nursing assistants on an ICU during school. If so, get a job as part time nursing assistant at the largest hospital in your area. If you're lucky enough to land a job in the ICU, get your CCRN.

These aren't trivial tasks. Obtaining the prereqs for CRNA school will take years. And no, taking years to obtain the necessary prereqs and experience will not be viewed as a negative, but focus on getting into the ICU as soon as possible. That's the work experience schools are looking for.

Relationships between MDAs and CRNAs vary wildly from one facility to the next. CRNAs assume all of the responsibilties an MDA would for their cases. Depending on the state and facility you work in, CRNAs very well may be provding anesthesia independent of MDAs.

No idea about working overseas

gassy2be · Jun 10, 2015

I don't feel like you have a real idea of what a CRNA does. You'll be able to shadow as a student, call your local hospitals and go from there.

chemokine · Jun 11, 2015

There is no upper limit on how much experience you can have prior to CRNA. 5 or 6 years is great. Some people do it after 20+ years. Most probably about 3 years I think.

You don't have to have a degree to shadow a CRNA or anesthesiologist.

The CRNA has a lot of responsibility, and there might not be an anesthesiologist depending on the practice. Even if you do work in an ACT practice, you will still have a lot more ability to decide things on your own than a bedside nurse. CRNA is a provider level practitioner.

You can definitely do aid work as a CRNA around the world. Look up doctors without borders. CRNAs are in high demand. If you just want to work in another country, you can do that too depending on the country. The scope of practice can vary though in other countries.

TravelRhythm · Jul 8, 2015

Thanks everyone for being so helpful!