FNP to CRNA, advice, thoughts, insight

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Hello everyone-

I am finishing up my FNP program and have been pondering about applying for a postmasters program in CRNA. I currently work in critical care and have done that for the last five years.

Many might ask why I went to FNP if I wanted to do CRNA? I enrolled in the FNP program because I was not fully aware of the CRNA role; yes I had heard about them, seen them here and there but never actually paid attention to their role until I met the new director of anesthesiology whom came to the ICU quite a bit to do procedures on patients and he was the one that opened my eyes to this field.

I don't regreat at all obtaining my NP as I feel I learned quite a bit and will prepare me for CRNA school on some aspects.

Second, I feel obtaining my MSN/FNP has given me strong academic credibility as many years back I was not mature enough and didn't do as well as I would have liked, but finishing my MSN in the way I am has showned that I can work FT, Do clinical rotations and do well academically.

My questions are: Has any of you done this or know anyone whom did this?

I have 5 years critical care experience in Medical, Surgical, Neuro, Trauma and CV units and am have my CCRN, TNCC, TCAR, as well as the obvious ACLS, PALS certs. I am not sure in what specialty I will start working as an NP, but is it recommended staying working as an RN in critical care despite having experience? I am looking to apply to CRNA programs in the next year or two.

What advise, tips, insight do you all have?

Thanks,

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Specializes in ICU, NICU.

Hi

I guess it would depend on the program you are applying to. I recently asked if my gpa from my MN would count in the admission process and I was told no. The advisor stated that because the Bachelors is what is required by all applicants, my BSN gpa would be considered instead. Odd I think, but each school decides...

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Hey, Congrats on wrapping up your masters in CRNP. I'm in CRNA school myself.

CRNA school isn't offered as a post-masters DNP unless you already have your masters as a CRNA. It isn't applicable to anyone who isn't already a trained and practicing CRNA with an MSN.

You'll have to start the application process for CRNA school just as if you were a BSN RN working in the ICU looking to get into CRNA school. The one benefit you may have is if you have a graduate level pathophysiology from your CRNP degree that the CRNA program you apply to accepts then you can skip that one class that semester. One of my classmates did this and so on Thursday mornings when we all have to be in class she gets to sleep in and show up around lunch time for the rest of the day of lecture.

Many programs are DNP now, all will have to be DNP in a few years which means they are 3 to 3.5 years long. The remaining masters CRNA programs that have not switched to DNP are not short either, usually 2.5 years.

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Stay working in the ICU PRN of part time if you can. You'll need current (or very recent) ICU experience during your application and interview process.

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Bluebolt said:
Hey, Congrats on wrapping up your masters in CRNP. I'm in CRNA school myself.

CRNA school isn't offered as a post-masters DNP unless you already have your masters as a CRNA. It isn't applicable to anyone who isn't already a trained and practicing CRNA with an MSN.

You'll have to start the application process for CRNA school just as if you were a BSN RN working in the ICU looking to get into CRNA school. The one benefit you may have is if you have a graduate level pathophysiology from your CRNP degree that the CRNA program you apply to accepts then you can skip that one class that semester. One of my classmates did this and so on Thursday mornings when we all have to be in class she gets to sleep in and show up around lunch time for the rest of the day of lecture.

Many programs are DNP now, all will have to be DNP in a few years which means they are 3 to 3.5 years long. The remaining masters CRNA programs that have not switched to DNP are not short either, usually 2.5 years.

There are post master's certificates for NPs who want to switch to CRNA. My university offers this pathway. Search around.

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Dodongo said:
There are post master's certificates for NPs who want to switch to CRNA. My university offers this pathway. Search around.

There was another post about this topic. The CRNA to MSN-DNP post masters degree is what I was referring to in my earlier post, that is only for CRNAs.

Here is a link for a program that represents what I see that represents the post masters CRNA certificate for someone who has an MSN in another area. Note that these are not the doctorates that will be required in a couple years, so these post masters certificates won't be around in a few years.

I find them calling it a post masters certificate to be very misleading. In actuality it is the exact same as typical CRNA school except they remove a couple of the easier nursing theory classes (these are your easy classes in CRNA school).

For these certificates it takes over 2 years, requires all the hoops to jump through to apply just like any other CRNA program, requires full time commitment - moving to city school is in - not supposed to work, loan debt will probably be $100K+, full clinical rotation schedule, etc.

There was another NP looking at bridging over and interested in CRNA. You would think after you obtained an NP degree it would just be a couple anesthesia courses and some clinical rotations to get your masters as a CRNA but it just isn't. The post masters "certificate" is very misleading. It breaks down to pretty much the exact same as any other masters CRNA program. Which having a masters won't even be viable to take CRNA boards in a few more years so they won't even be available at that point.

I'm not trying to dissuade anyone from following their goals, just didn't want someone to get confused by the term "post masters certificate".

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Dodongo - Can I please ask which university you attend? I am also interested in this pathway. Thank you!

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Specializes in Emergency, Medical and Cardiac ICU.

Did you end up completing your CRNA? I’m interested in something similar. I have 3+ years in ICU and am looking into FNP programs. One nearest me is $20-25,000 and it’s just miles from my house. Did you end up doing both?

im wondering if I can work as a FNP part-time while staying as a bedside RN Perdiem in the ICU and the. later applying to CRNA.

Thoughts?

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Specializes in Emergency, Medical and Cardiac ICU.

Did you end up completing your CRNA? I’m interested in something similar. I have 3+ years in ICU and am looking into FNP programs. One nearest me is $20-25,000 and it’s just miles from my house. Did you end up doing both?

im wondering if I can work as a FNP part-time while staying as a bedside RN Perdiem in the ICU and the. later applying to CRNA.

Thoughts?

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Specializes in CRNA.

Anesthesia programs require, or strongly prefer, current FT ICU direct patient care when you interview. If you know you want CRNA, getting a NP first will not shorten the CRNA program.

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Specializes in Emergency, Medical and Cardiac ICU.

Right, but I wonder if once I complete the FNP program I should continue working as an RN in the ICU. That way I could keep up my skills while working Part Time as an NP. Perhaps do 2 days in ICU and 2 days as an NP? Have you heard of anyone doing this?

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