Hello! pre-med BSPH Student looking for guidance into ABSN programs :)

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2017

I'm confused, with CRNA as your end goal, why are you majoring in public health admin? Especially with graduation being almost a year and a half away? Why not major in nursing, save yourself the time and expense (minus what changing majors at this point would cost) of the ABSN, get an ICU job, and then worry about anesthesia school? Your plan seems to require a lot of wasted time. Plus, you will qualify for much less financial aid for the expensive ABSN with not being an undergrad anymore

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2017

Hi! Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

Your thread states pre-med. CRNA is not pre-med...it's nursing.

Even with your bachelors degree and becoming a nurse with an ABSN program...they are historically very expensive....and difficult. While your degree is in Community Health your nursing degree will have it's own set of preq's to take like anatomy & physiology, chemistry. For example...

Human Anatomy and Physiology (2 semesters, with labs):
General Chemistry (2 semesters, with labs):
Microbiology:
Nutrition:
Research Statistics:
Lifespan Human Development:
Sociology or Psychology:

To be completed prior to entering the program. Then you need to graduate, pass NCLEX, work in a critical care unit (which most do not hire new grads) which some programs want a minimum of 2 years/high acuity.

It's a long path but doable with hard work

Manni26 · Mar 30, 2017

I actually miss typed my information. I am a junior and I graduate in 2018.

I didn't decide to do nursing until about this year, and it was too late for me to change over so I decided to take the pre-reqs I needed and then my advisor told me about a ABSN program to get my nursing degree. I wanted to be a PA but I shadowed a lot and fell I love with CRNA but I need my BSN to do that which is why I decided to get my ABSN. IS there something different that I should do instead? Should I jus apply to regular nursing school? I believe that would take me longer because ABSN is just one year.

Manni26 · Mar 30, 2017

In my curriculum for BSPH all of those course were included, i only have one prereq for nursing left and that is statistics. I will have that done before i graduate so i dont have to take additional time to get those prereqs, i did them all in undergrad.

Hi! Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!
Your thread states pre-med. CRNA is not pre-med...it's nursing.
Even with your bachelors degree and becoming a nurse with an ABSN program...they are historically very expensive....and difficult. While your degree is in Community Health your nursing degree will have it's own set of preq's to take like anatomy & physiology, chemistry. For example...To be completed prior to entering the program. Then you need to graduate, pass NCLEX, work in a critical care unit (which most do not hire new grads) which some programs want a minimum of 2 years/high acuity.
It's a long path but doable with hard work

Manni26 · Mar 30, 2017

I shouldve proof-read before i posted.

Correction:

I am a junior i graduate in 2018 from ECU with a BS in Public Health.

I took the pre-medical route for my concentration which allowed me to incorperate pre-reqs that you would need for any medical career you intend to take. these included:

*Organic Chemistry//Lab

*College Algebra

*Statistics

*Developmental Psychology

*Ethics

*Sociology

*Microbiology

*A&P I and II with Labs

*Computer Science

*Biology I & Biology II

*General Chemistry Fundamentals

I have one pre-req to complete for the 'pre-med' aspect of my major, which is why it is a BS in Public Health because of all the sciences i have taken.

Once i graudate, i want to go to nursing school because i have changed my idea of going to medical school. So i would like to know if i should attend a ABSN program, and which one is best in the state of NOrth Carolina.

I currently have a 3.6 gpa and a 3.5 science and math GPA.

I want to work as a nurse and then go back to school to be a CRNA.

Just a little thoughts on what you think of my path.

Again i dont have to take an additional year or so to get pre-reqs. Once i graduate i will be done with all of that, in Decemember 2018.

I was thinking to apply to ABSN, get mt BSN within that year of 2019.

Work for a few years (2)

then go to CRNA school.

tell me what you think!!

Hi all!
My name is Aman Braggs. I am a senior at East Carolina and I will graduate next fall 2018 with a Bachelors of Science in Public Health Administration:Community Health. I am looking to become a CRNA in the end, but so far i have my CNA and have just a few pre-reqs to complete before i graduate. I am looking to stay in NOrth Carolina and find a ABSN program, work for a few years and apply to CRNA school. MAybe ill find some guys and gals hat are doing the same with me and could take this journey together! Or guidance would help, to those who have completed similar paths as i am hoping. Hope to chat with you all soon!! :)
Aman Braggs

Boomer MS, RN · Mar 30, 2017

In my curriculum for BSPH all of those course were included, i only have one prereq for nursing left and that is statistics. I will have that done before i graduate so i dont have to take additional time to get those prereqs, i did them all in undergrad.

This sounds good with regard to all the prereqs for an ABSN program. Some ABSN programs are 12 months (quite demanding!), some are 15 months (most common, I believe), and some are longer. Since you have so many of the prereqs, it seems to me like a waste of time and money to apply to a traditional BSN program. You may need to apply to more than one ABSN program in order to be accepted. As a previous OP said, CRNA programs want critical care ICU experience. How much depends on the program, but all the CRNA programs are extremely competitive. Some award a doctorate upon completion, and these are longer than those that award a master's degree.; these vary on the academic institution. After graduating, you may find that the job search is arduous, depending on your location. The journey to becoming a CRNA, however, is very doable. If you cannot get a job out of school in an ICU, nothing is lost. Do med-surg and learn a lot. Network with others and follow your passion. Good luck.

Manni26 · Mar 30, 2017

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond!

i will do ABSN!

And will take our advise if not admitted into ICU as soon after graduation, I will do med surg.

Thanks for the advice.

This sounds good with regard to all the prereqs for an ABSN program. Some ABSN programs are 12 months (quite demanding!), some are 15 months (most common, I believe), and some are longer. Since you have so many of the prereqs, it seems to me like a waste of time and money to apply to a traditional BSN program. You may need to apply to more than one ABSN program in order to be accepted. As a previous OP said, CRNA programs want critical care ICU experience. How much depends on the program, but all the CRNA programs are extremely competitive. Some award a doctorate upon completion, and these are longer than those that award a master's degree.; these vary on the academic institution. After graduating, you may find that the job search is arduous, depending on your location. The journey to becoming a CRNA, however, is very doable. If you cannot get a job out of school in an ICU, nothing is lost. Do med-surg and learn a lot. Network with others and follow your passion. Good luck.

Boomer MS, RN · Mar 30, 2017

Just to clarify, you will need ICU experience after med surg or something similar like step down units or telemetry before applying to any CRNA program, and also getting the CCRN certification after working for a while in an ICU would be in your favor and strengthen your application. Just get into nursing school and pass those boards! One step at a time......

Roasted.Peanuts · Mar 30, 2017

Hi Aman,

I am currently in the same boat as you with a Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration and going back to nursing school in hopes of eventually becoming a CRNA. I am a bit ahead as I just applied to several ADN and ABSN programs in my area. I will hear about my acceptance in April or May. I decided to apply to ADN programs as well because they are a lot cheaper because I already have loans from my Bachelor's degree.

Wolf at the Door, BSN · Mar 30, 2017

I would just dual major it's not too late. If you are receiving Pell grants you will not be able to use those once a degree is earned.

Manni26 · Mar 30, 2017

Awesome!!!:)

so glad to know others are doing something as I am. My parents were able to pay for my undergrad college & are willing to pay for ABSN school, but not CRNA school. I've been comparing schools so far for CRNA & ABSN. I'm looking at WSSU or just staying here at ECU.

Taking it all one step at a time.

Hi Aman,
I am currently in the same boat as you with a Bachelor's in Healthcare Administration and going back to nursing school in hopes of eventually becoming a CRNA. I am a bit ahead as I just applied to several ADN and ABSN programs in my area. I will hear about my acceptance in April or May. I decided to apply to ADN programs as well because they are a lot cheaper because I already have loans from my Bachelor's degree.