help with path to crna

loriangel14, RN · Jun 8, 2011

You will need to get your BSN first ( 4 years). Then you will want to get experience in critical care nursing before you can apply to a CRNA program ( I believe they are about 2 years). Generally it is tough to get a job in critical care right out of school, especially right now with so many nurses out of work, so you may have to work in another area first.

I am sure there will be others along soon to give you more specific guidance.You may want to post your queries in the CRNA Forum under the Specialties tab at the top of this page.

P.S. I don't think that not having taken another language will have any impact on whether you get into college or not.

NurseThis21, BSN, RN · Jun 8, 2011

Hi there! As a forewarning, do not be offended by what I say. You want advice, I'm here to give it.

In terms of your question(s), you need to take a step back and analyze what it is that you want to do, make a game plan for yourself and stick to it. To me, it seems as if you're getting stressed out before you even have the chance to be stressed out on purpose.

I know that you want to be a CRNA; so do you know what the acronym stands for? Do you know what it entails? Have you researched the criteria for gaining entrance? You see where I'm going here ... the mark of a qualified and potential professional is how much initiative and dedication they have. You will need to know how to seek out information yourself as you will be doing this and a whole lot more as a CRNA. And I know that you're only 16 so don't stress yourself out, but also don't take any shortcuts.

Yes, you will need all 4 years (or more) of college. You will need a degree in nursing. Each school is different in terms of their prerequisites. Seek out some starter information at your community college and see what you can take when finished with high school.

Know that you will have to go through nursing school. I see that you wanted to know if the classes will be difficult. OF COURSE!!!!! Who would want a nurse taking care of them that doesn't know what's going on? And as a CRNA, you are REALLY dealing with someone's life, it's a life or death situation. Yes, it will be difficult, it's part of the job description.

On a good day, it will take 4-5 years undergraduate, AT LEAST 2 years acute care experience before you can apply.

Before I go any further, you need to research the necessities of college. You're still in high school, so there's much to be learned about higher education for you. Understand that nothing good is ever rushed and you need time and experience to be on your side. Get through nursing school first and understand what that encompasses before you make such specific decisions. You will find yourself in the right place at the right time.

Good luck to you and your future endeavors!

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Jun 8, 2011

Worry about graduating high school first.

someguy101 · Jun 8, 2011

Hi there! As a forewarning, do not be offended by what I say. You want advice, I'm here to give it.
In terms of your question(s), you need to take a step back and analyze what it is that you want to do, make a game plan for yourself and stick to it. To me, it seems as if you're getting stressed out before you even have the chance to be stressed out on purpose.
I know that you want to be a CRNA; so do you know what the acronym stands for? Do you know what it entails? Have you researched the criteria for gaining entrance? You see where I'm going here ... the mark of a qualified and potential professional is how much initiative and dedication they have. You will need to know how to seek out information yourself as you will be doing this and a whole lot more as a CRNA. And I know that you're only 16 so don't stress yourself out, but also don't take any shortcuts.
Yes, you will need all 4 years (or more) of college. You will need a degree in nursing. Each school is different in terms of their prerequisites. Seek out some starter information at your community college and see what you can take when finished with high school.
Know that you will have to go through nursing school. I see that you wanted to know if the classes will be difficult. OF COURSE!!!!! Who would want a nurse taking care of them that doesn't know what's going on? And as a CRNA, you are REALLY dealing with someone's life, it's a life or death situation. Yes, it will be difficult, it's part of the job description.
On a good day, it will take 4-5 years undergraduate, AT LEAST 2 years acute care experience before you can apply.
Before I go any further, you need to research the necessities of college. You're still in high school, so there's much to be learned about higher education for you. Understand that nothing good is ever rushed and you need time and experience to be on your side. Get through nursing school first and understand what that encompasses before you make such specific decisions. You will find yourself in the right place at the right time.
Good luck to you and your future endeavors!

i see what your getting at. As you can tell i have question like what classes do i take in college?

Do you see where im getting at? I feel so unprepared because i dont know what classes to take if i were to take college.

Is there a college just for getting a degree for nursing or is there a college that has classes just for that?

DSkelton711 · Jun 8, 2011

Have you volunteered at the hospital? Or gone to nursing homes to read to the residents? I would get a feel for how you feel in a healthcare environment. In general though you will need to get your BSN first then work for awhile then go to graduate school and get your Master's. The C stands for certified so you would have to meet that qualification as well. But first finish high school, taking higher math and science courses and see if you can't get involved with a program of volunteering in something that gives you a little taste of patient care. The possibilities for the future are endless!! Good Luck!

Crux1024 · Jun 8, 2011

i see what your getting at. As you can tell i have question like what classes do i take in college?
Do you see where im getting at? I feel so unprepared because i dont know what classes to take if i were to take college.
Is there a college just for getting a degree for nursing or is there a college that has classes just for that?

A lot of colleges will offer nursing programs. You need to get a bachelors degree in Nursing to begin with, then will need 2 years of critical care experience working as a nurse. Have you searched colleges in your area, or those you are interested in? This will be where to start. The classes you need to take will depend on the college you choose; they all have different requirements. This would be a good time to make an appt. with your high schools guidance counselor. Good Luck. And reread NurseThis21's post. It was good.

DSkelton711 · Jun 8, 2011

"Do you see where im getting at? I feel so unprepared because i dont know what classes to take if i were to take college.

Is there a college just for getting a degree for nursing or is there a college that has classes just for that?"

You will need to attend at least a community college to get general studies out of the way: English, Humanities, Math, Computers, Science classes. Then you would need to transfer to a university or 4-year college to complete your nursing studies and any other studies. Once you graduate you take a test to become licensed as a Registered Nurse. You then will need to get experience in an acute care setting- a hospital. You will need at least 2 years experience in ICU or ER. Then you will have to apply to graduate school to get your Master's Degree and you can specialize in many different areas! You will need to pass certification tests. Being in high school now--speak with an advisor at a college who can guide you in preparing for the future. It is hard work and takes a lot of dedication. You need the interest and aptitude for math and science as well as caring for others. This is why you may want to check into any volunteering or special programs that allow high school students to participate. Hope this helps to answer some of your questions. It seems a little daunting but you can achieve it if you really desire it!

Trenia · Jun 8, 2011

I wanna be an astronaut.

someguy101 · Jun 8, 2011

I wanna be an astronaut.

thats cool

allnurses Guide · Jun 8, 2011

Start at AANA.com and then with a little websearching you can find the answers to most basic questions about how to become nurse anesthetist. We will be more than happy to answer your questions that you couldn't find after that.

In general it takes a minimum of 7yrs after high school to become a CRNA and for most people it takes 9-10yrs at least to become CRNA.

blackberrie_281 · Jun 16, 2011

k your 16, so your prob a junior right? take general AP or dual credit courses if your highschool offers them, classess like english, us history, algebra and statistics. That could cut off an entire semester or more for college, did in my situation. Go directlly into a bsn program if you can afford it, which is usually only offered at a University. your major would be nursing, and thus you would take the required courses for that degree at the university you choose to go to. a counselor will be able to tell you all the classess that you will take. once you get your degree, you must pass your nclex to legally practice at whatever hospital you choose. to get in a crna program you must complete the minimum amount of yrs for whatever program you wish to get into, usually this is 1 yr, and in the specialty that program accepts, which is usually any icu, sometimes er, depends on the program. each program has different reqs, such as organic chemistry or statistics, but that can be taken during your summer breaks or a yr or 2 before you apply to your chosen crna program...hope i made this clear enough for you.