Fresh out of highschool wanting to become a RN then CRNA.

[BrittanyLeigh]

]Hello everyone. I have a few questions so I can get a bit more of an understanding on what I can do, or what's possible.

]My situation is i'm a senior in highschool. I have about less than 4 days left of school (homeschooled - so I go once a week for an hour.) After this school year, I have another semester left of highschool, then I will be done. Reason for having to take another semester of highschool is because I ruined my freshman year, and passed hardly any classes. There are two paths I can take

]1. I can try to find a summer program, so I can finish highschool before this coming up school year. Enter a community college for 2 years, then a University another 2 years.

]or

]2. Wait for the school year to start up and finish highschool in december. Enter a community college for 2 years, then a University another 2 years.

]If there is any other route or opinions on these please share them. Also, I wanted to know if it's possible to be a full-time student while working? My parents refuse to pay for anything, so I have to work for it all myself. Without a job, I don't see that being possible. I'm worried that i'm falling behind. Depending on what I choose to do I will be falling behind, and I still need to learn how to drive (one of my fears.) I'm becoming overwelmed and I just want to know everything will be alright as long as I take care of my business.

]Is it possible to go to school to become a CRNA or NP while working? How would I provide for myself if I can't work while in school still?

Thanks in advance!

[JRDommer]

I would do option 2, it will be free because it's not college and it will give you enough time to work a lot during the summer and during the semester if you dont have many classes. For the first 2 years, pre-reqs are easy but it is VERY important that you get incredibly good grades to get into nursing school. Work as much as you can while maintaining grades during that time.

Once nursing school comes along its a little more hard to work, but it can still be done. Try to get a job in a hospital with flexible hours. If you are trying to become a CRNA, grades in nursing school are yet again VERY important. This will be much different than the pre-reqs, nursing school is exhausting and it might be a smart idea to just try to get loans so you can focus.

To get into a CRNA program, you have to have atleast 1 year in ICU, and ICU can be hard to get into as a grad because it involves a lot of training and a lot of money. CRNA school is hard as hell to get into, and from what i hear incredibly tough. Working during school isn't adviseable.

Granted, hopefully someone can come along who has done all this and add their expertise, i'm only really stating what i've found on these forums and nurse-anesthesia.com. Good luck with everything and i hope it works out.

[markuskristian]

You're quickest route will be to finish high school as soon as possible. Enter and ADN program to become an RN. Get into an acute care setting, CVICU/SICU. Over the next two years working that floor, take courses online to finish out your BSN (4yr degree). At that point you will have your BSN and at least the minimum (1yr) of acute care. Apply to many anesthesia programs in your national region. It's basically a flat no.. when it comes to working during anesthesia school.

[tfleuter, BSN, RN]

Don't worry so much about how quickly you can get through things. I know it must feel like you are "behind" everyone else your age if you don't start college in the fall after graduation. I didn't start until the winter semester after I graduated and felt sooo behind b/c many of my classmates were already in their 2nd semester of college/university. In retrospect, I realized that those 4 months were so miniscule and I should have enjoyed those school-free months more than I did.

I would say wait until the fall to finish your highschool degree, and try to work so you can save up money for your first semester or two at the community college. Focus on the skills you are going to need, like obtaining your drivers license. If you are going to be moving out on your own, you will need to know how to do things like laundry, cooking, budgeting, ect.

Once you start college, do not try to overwhelm yourself by making a plan/schedule just so you can finish as quickly as possible. If there is one thing I will try to encourage my own kids to do for the first semester of college, it will be to take no more than 12 credits!! In fact, I would probably recommend either 3 easy classes or 2 moderate class, but definately not a notoriously difficult course like certain foreign languages or sciences. College classes are much more demanding than highschool classes and it takes an adjustment to get used to. Top that with being out on your own for the first time and the desire to enjoy your new found freedom and it makes for one crazy (but usually fun) semester! Once you get a feel for college life, than start taking on bigger course loads. Good luck with your future endeavors!!

[js408]

Good luck!