Does CRNA or Nurse Practitioner must have Bachelor's degree?

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Hi, I am thinking about getting my 2 year associate degree's in nursing then become a RN but I wasn't sure if I want to become a BSN if i'm only going to work as RN because there aren't much differences between 2year RN and 4year (not insulting but i'm just talking in general, I believe it is still good to learn more but, I don't know if it is that worth it for 2 years of more studying if you are only going to stay as a RN).

However, I was planning to take a program that goes RN to BSN to become nurse practitioner or CRNA.

When I looked for some pre-requisites for those two, it says that you will need RN lisence and some of them said that you will need BSN.

If I finish my 2year associate degrees in nursing and receive RN lisence, do I still need to go through the RN to BSN in order to apply programs to become CRNA or BSN?

My other question is that, I see there are many ads about RN to BSN online program.

but when you apply to CRNA or nurse practitioner programs, does it matter if I take any online school or go to good nursing university?

My questions might sound kinda dumb :sniff: but please understand and be nice.

I have just changed my major and there are so many things that I do not know in common senses.

Thank you so much for reading! and I'll wait for replies! :)

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Specializes in ICU.

jordan- You will need to have a minimum of an RN license so a two year ADN program is fine but to enter into CRNA program you will have to have a Bachelors degree as well. The Bachelors degree can be in nursing or in a science related field such as biology or chemistry. If you get your bachelors degree in nursing then you can apply to any CRNA program, if you get another science related bachelors degree then you cannot apply to a CRNA program that grants an MSN degree since it requires a bachelors in nursing first. Good luck!

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Thank You! what about nurse practitioner? do you also have to be a 4year bachelor's degree RN? or can it be just 2year associate degrees RN?

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Specializes in ICU.

A nurse practitioner will have a Maters degree in Nursing so you will have to have a Bachelors degree in nursing. There are many program options out there for ADN's to further their degrees, you can simply get your BSN once you finsh your ADN, or if you want to pursue becoming a nurse practitioner there are several programs you can enroll in right after graduating from you ADN program that offer a bridge to an MSN. You will be earning your Bachelors degree as well as your MSN but take some time to really check all these options out to see which is right for you, there are a lot of pros and cons to both.

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Specializes in CNA/Nursing student.

To even be considered for a CRNA program you need to have a minimum of 3 years in the I.C.U and a year of experience in the E.R....in other words you have to have a lot of experience AND have a BSN for any CRNA program because it is an advanced practice program. Anything with the high possibility of accidentally killing someone requires a lot of school. Both of the options you listed need a BSN before you go on to higher level learning and not just the 2 year license. Any advanced programs require atleast a BSN. Good luck!:up:

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Specializes in SICU,L and D.

You only need 1 to 2 years ICU experience to apply to CRNA school. Length of time working in the ICU varies by program. No ER experience is necessary. Most CRNA schools don't consider ER experience for applying to a CRNA program.

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No disrespect meant but if you give people information, you should check first to make sure it is correct information.

First, the minimum is 1 year of ICU experience. Most have more. I will have almost 2.5 years ICU experience before I start my program.

Second, there is NO requirement to have ANY ER experience at all. Most programs will not even consider ER experience at all if one has no ICU experience.

Also, I have a bachelor's in business and went to an associate's program and have no BSN.

So to the OP, it's best to do your own research along with what you read on these boards as I have oftentimes noticed incorrect and/or incomplete information.

Good luck!

To even be considered for a CRNA program you need to have a minimum of 3 years in the I.C.U and a year of experience in the E.R....in other words you have to have a lot of experience AND have a BSN for any CRNA program because it is an advanced practice program. Anything with the high possibility of accidentally killing someone requires a lot of school. Both of the options you listed need a BSN before you go on to higher level learning and not just the 2 year license. Any advanced programs require atleast a BSN. Good luck!:up:
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Specializes in CNA/Nursing student.

Sorry but that is what I have read and some people in the medical field have told me....But either way, it's good to have a lot of experience because there's tons of people going for that program because it's the highest paid nursing there is so more experience would be better anyways....would it really hurt to have more experience under your belt? Required is the wrong word it would be good because you would have an advantage against the tons of other people trying to get in.

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You must have a minimum of a year of ICU experience. No ER required (nor is it accepted). This is an accreditation requirement of all programs.

While you don't specifically need a BSN for all CRNA programs, you need at least a baccalaureate degree and be a RN. However if you want the most school options I would recommend a BSN as you can apply to any CRNA program (as long as you fulfill any additional requirements). I received my BSN through a state university system. It was an online RN to BSN program and I am now finishing up my first semester in CRNA school.

Each school has its specific requirements. Some may want 2 semesters of chem, and/or a semester of physics, or a graduate statistics course already completed, or even to have completed these types of additional courses within a certain time frame of say 5 or 10 yrs.

You have to look at each program you may be interested in and figure out which require something additional. My school did not need any additional classes beyond what I received in my BSN. It required a BSN and additionally GRE, ACLS and PALs. I took my undergrad science classes over 10 years ago.

Good luck.

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Most CRNA programs do not accept ER experience.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
You must have a minimum of a year of ICU experience. No ER required (nor is it accepted). This is an accreditation requirement of all programs.

While you don't specifically need a BSN for all CRNA programs, you need at least a baccalaureate degree and be a RN. However if you want the most school options I would recommend a BSN as you can apply to any CRNA program (as long as you fulfill any additional requirements). I received my BSN through a state university system. It was an online RN to BSN program and I am now finishing up my first semester in CRNA school.

Each school has its specific requirements. Some may want 2 semesters of chem, and/or a semester of physics, or a graduate statistics course already completed, or even to have completed these types of additional courses within a certain time frame of say 5 or 10 yrs.

You have to look at each program you may be interested in and figure out which require something additional. My school did not need any additional classes beyond what I received in my BSN. It required a BSN and additionally GRE, ACLS and PALs. I took my undergrad science classes over 10 years ago.

Good luck.

The requirement to get into nurse anesthesia school is for one year of acute care experience in order to meet the COA requirements. Which most schools interpret as one year of ICU experience, but ER/PACU/OR/OB nurses have all been accepted under that rule.

http://www.aana.com/BecomingCRNA.aspx?id=98&linkidentifier=id&itemid=98

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jrv100, could you please elaborate on your path to CRNA school? I am in a somewhat similar situation. I have a BA is History going through an ADN program. I would like to get into a CRNA program down the road but I am unsure as to whether my BA will suffice along with the ADN.

Thanks.

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