Published
I am currently finishing my BSN, and have 1 semester left. I have been working in critical care for about a year and a half. I have 2 interviews in August...most places will accept you contigent upon BSN graduation with a maintained GPA of 3.0 or whatever your school requires. You could always call the schools you are interested in and ask.
I asked several programs if I could apply before BSN fininshed (RN-BSN), and all of them told me it would not be a problem. At the time of my interview I had 8 months left of the BSN program and did get accepted.
Ask the schools you are interested in so you don't waste any application fees. Also, make sure you have all the other requirements met before you apply.
You are half-right. Three things are needed for acceptance into a CRNA program: RN, ICU experience and a bachelor's degree, whether it be a BSN or otherwise. There are some programs that will allow acceptance into a CRNA program for those who have worked as an RN in an ICU and have a bachelor's in a related field. Other programs will say that you must have a BSN. For those who have been working as an RN in the ICU and are working on completing a related bachelor's or a BSN, they will often apply to a program and complete their bachelor's before matriculation into the program. In those cases the CRNA schools will ask about completion of the bachelor's degree while in the interview process. However, for someone who has no RN, no bachelor's degree and no ICU experience, you likely wouldn't even receive an interview.
When I was looking into applying to Drexel, Lew Bennet told me that I could apply but could not be interviewed until I was approx 6 weeks into my last semester of my BSN. If I would be offered a position in the class, it would be contingent on my graduating that semester. I met all of the other requirements including critical care experience. I just needed my BSN. I hope that helps!!
When I spoke with Lew, he said that I could apply in the late fall but would not be interviewed until I was halfway through my spring semester (my graduating semester). This was last year in spring of 2006 that he told me that information. Maybe Drexel has changed their policy. I tried to contact him a few weeks ago but my e mail was redirected to a different person.
radrn2001
20 Posts
...that is completing their RN-BSN? I've read several places that it doesn't hurt to apply before you are finished. Some have said in the interview they were asked if their BSN would be completed before the CRNA program starts but I haven't heard if anyone has actually been accepted pending BSN completion. Input anyone? Please?
radrn