Get my BSN or just take chem and pharm classes

zoozoo · Sep 2, 2005

First off, thanks to everyone who posts here for offering their support and opinions. I am just starting my second year of nursing school at 31 years old in an ADN program (community college). I have managed to keep a 4.0 gpa through all my prereqs and first year of nursing school. I have a BA in cultural anthropology in which many years ago I pulled a slightly embarrassing 2.68 gpa (and had fun doing it). I'm planning on ICU work after graduation and furthering my education. What in your opinion would look better to a CRNA program admissions committee in my case: A BSN or a year of chem and maybe a physics and advanced pharm class? Having already earned a bachelor's degree, I would rather focus my energy on the sciences than community health etc. What do you think? Thanks.

I beleive that you need your BSN in nursing to get in ,probably, most schools.

kmchugh · Sep 2, 2005

I beleive that you need your BSN in nursing to get in ,probably, most schools.

Not always correct. Some schools, such as my alma mater (Newman University, Wichita, Kansas - Shameless plug) will accept RN's who have non-nursing bachelor's degrees. However, there are other schools that will only consider candidates with BSN's.

The best advice I can give is to contact the schools of nurse anesthesia you are considering. Talk with the directors of those schools, and find out what they require. Many programs will take a balanced view of your scholastic record. A 2.68 from your first degree might not look too good, but by maintaining a 4.0 in pre-nursing and nursing programs will help enormously.

Kevin McHugh, CNRA

CRNA, DNSc · Sep 2, 2005

Be aware that some schools look at the average GPA of your last 120 hours so even though your most recent work is good, when combined with that previous degree the overall GPA is so-so. Also schools may only accept non-BSN degrees if they are in Science fields, a BA in anthro won't do it for you. Going on to get the BSN and taking the sciences along the way is the route that will give you the largest number of options. :)

fidelio · Sep 3, 2005

Thanks to both the anesthetists who replied. Doing the BSN in addition to everything else certainly covers all the bases. Its the most thorough approach. Though I respect what the BSN stands for, there are now one year intensive BSN programs out there. One year. I will already be an RN w/ a bachelor's but have a year of full time schooling or 2 years part-time ahead of me to get that BSN. The inefficiency makes my head spin. Better people than me have done it that way though. I guess if its good enough for them ... On the other hand, anybody know of a six month RN to BSN for students with a bachelor's degree.

utahliz · Sep 5, 2005

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gettingthere · Sep 7, 2005

First off, thanks to everyone who posts here for offering their support and opinions. I am just starting my second year of nursing school at 31 years old in an ADN program (community college). I have managed to keep a 4.0 gpa through all my prereqs and first year of nursing school. I have a BA in cultural anthropology in which many years ago I pulled a slightly embarrassing 2.68 gpa (and had fun doing it). I'm planning on ICU work after graduation and furthering my education. What in your opinion would look better to a CRNA program admissions committee in my case: A BSN or a year of chem and maybe a physics and advanced pharm class? Having already earned a bachelor's degree, I would rather focus my energy on the sciences than community health etc. What do you think? Thanks.

Hey there, your not alone, I am also in an ADN program with a BS (non-nursing), and wanting to get my cRNA. I've found a couple of programs that do take RN with a BS in another field in PA. Remember, you have to get between 1-2 years critical care experience before you can get into any program. That should be plenty of time to get both a BSN and extra sciences. There are plenty of of RN to BSN programs that can be achieved in a year or less, this seems to be the route most frequently traveled. I too would much rather take science classes than complete a BSN. My advice is to find the school that you want to go to and complete their admissions criteria then get whatever you can to prepare while your completing your critical care requirement. The school that I'm looking into is outside of Philly and they require a BSN. I actually have a question, do you know anything out the Miller test replacing the GRE?

New CCU RN · Sep 7, 2005

The vast majority of programs want a BSN... concentrate on getting good grades in this and you should be all set. Apply after that, if they say you need to boost your GPA you have the option of taking more sciences in order to do this.

fidelio · Sep 9, 2005

I'm grateful for the advice and commiserating. As so many others have pointed out. Career dreams shift and change as one moves through education and work experience. I've battled between CRNA and FNP for years now in split personality style after shadowing both professions. CRNA and FNP are incredible careers. I've decided that it may come down to just doing both. The FNP program at Washington State offers a bridge program for RNs like me who have a BA or a BS. It could be that given the great flexibility of work environments for the FNP, I won't wish to pursue anesthesia specialty. If that turned out not to be the case, perhaps I could work as a NP in the intensive care environment and apply to CRNA school. I still wouldn't have a BSN but I doubt it would matter as a NP. These are seriously grandiose plans. I'm still in nursing school at this point. Getting work experience in a big hospital as a RN will probably light the pathway a lot more clearly.