From ADN to CRNA

[JCarhuas]

I'm about to be a new ADN graduate, I would eventually like to become a CRNA. The question I have is whether I should go for my BSN next or go straight into my masters, what do y'all recommend?.

[malaikaRN]

I could be wrong but don't you have to have a bsn to even apply for a post graduate program?

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

You need to get a job in critical care first.

thread moved for best response

[excited1]

In my research, you must have a BSN first (keep the highest GPA possible) and you will need one year MINIMUM critical care. Keep in mind though that one year is not necessarily considered competitive in some states. Its not in mine. That is just the minimum. Same with entrance to any ADN or BSN program "must complete nursing prereqs with a C or better" does not necessarily mean you should aim to pass as that is not considered competitive. The CRNA school I am interested in admitted an average BSN GPA of 3.75, high GRE scores and 2-3 years of ICU in a high acuity setting as well as CRNA shadowing. I suggest picking your schools of choice and keep up to date on entrance statistics and requirements. Great luck to you!!!

[sweetdreame, BSN, RN]

You can't "go straight into" your masters for CRNA. You must have a BSN and MINIMUM of one year strong acute care experience. I was an ADN graduate and worked ER/ICU while earning my BSN.

[Peanut&Buttercup]

I am starting my ADN program this fall, with an ultimate goal of CRNA (maybe....). Several of the programs in the area where I live allow a bachelors degree in something other than nursing, as long as you are a RN. I would take a look at the programs you are interested in. Either way, you will need ICU experienced, which I suspect may be difficult to get without a BSN.

[loveanesthesia]

You must have a BS to enter a MS program-that's universal. For nurse anesthesia you also need critical care experience. It's becoming more difficult to get an RN position in a hospital setting, let alone an ICU, with an ADN. Most ADN new grads in my area end up in long-term care or another out of the hospital setting. There are currently plenty of BSN new grads for the hospital positions.