High school senior for CRNA

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2015

Well, it's true that not every new grad who wants to go on to be a CRNA will be hired for ICU right out of the gate. You might have to work in the trenches for a couple of years first. You would need to work hard, show that you are motivated, dependable, demonstrate critical thinking skills, etc., and then apply to a critical care unit. Lots of current CRNAs went that route as opposed to being hired into an ICU as a new grad.

That said, there are new grad critical care programs at many large hospitals around the country. You would most likely need to have good grades from a respected nursing program, perhaps have some good references from your nursing professors, etc. These internships are amazing if you can get into one. I did one right after graduation, and it was an amazing program.

odpropofol · Aug 11, 2015

Are there any direct entry BSN programs for high school students in TX like that of UT?

How real is the male nurse stigma?

What was your undergrad school?>

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Aug 12, 2015

Are there any direct entry BSN programs for high school students in TX like that of UT?
How real is the male nurse stigma?
What was your undergrad school?>

I haven't really researched nursing schools, but you could just go to the web sites of various Texas Universities and see what their nursing school admissions policies are.

I couldn't answer your "male nurse stigma" question other than to say I worked with many male nurses in critical care and currently work endo with MANY male CRNAs. I'm not sure exactly what you are asking, but there is a male nurse forum here at AN which you might find to be helpful.

I have a non nursing degree from UT and a nursing degree from TWU.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Aug 12, 2015

Reality check - the road to becoming a CRNA will take at least 9 years... Get BSN (normally 4+ years), get at least 2 years of ICU experience, complete CRNA (~3 years if you don't have to repeat any courses & breeze through your clinical requiements). And that's if everything goes according to schedule. Any hiccups could extend this time period by quite a bit. So - maybe your Mom does know best, huh?

As far as the 'male stigma'... unless you're keen on becoming an L&D nurse, it's pretty much nonexistent. In my organization, 12% of our RNs are male... higher percentage in some areas than others.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 12, 2015

Just a quick note: you do not have "so much experience in healthcare". You took AP sciences classes...that's great, but it's not experience. Same with shadowing healthcare professionals....it is a good 'experience' in and of itself, but does not count as "healthcare experience". Ditto the volunteering: regardless of what that volunteer job was, it wasn't doing direct patient care so....it, too, is not healthcare experience.

"Experiences" count in life, and certainly can give you an edge.....but on your resume and applications, you have NO healthcare experience.

brandiep1982 · Aug 13, 2015

Based off what I have seen with previous graduates that I know, it is not difficult for a new grad to get hired in an ICU setting... however, I live in MO, and different regions tend to have different trends. A lot of areas no longer hire student nurses, but they do here. So, I am already in the process of applying for student nursing positions in ICU settings (it helps that I have several years experience as a CNA). If you want to get into an ICU out of that gate (around here), it is helpful to work as a student nurse in an ICU (it's a constant interview essentially), and do well in school. I don't know if any of these things are options in your area, though.

noelly10 · Aug 13, 2015

In my area, we had ADN students get hired in the ICU setting. It just depends on the area and who you know really. And I agree that your "experience" isn't really experience. If you want real experience in the healthcare field that may set you apart from other potential hires, try being a nurse aid first. It will give you direct patient contact instead of creeping over someone's shoulder that is doing the patient contact.

Also agree that CRNA school isn't just a measly 4 years. You have extra schooling after your BSN to be able to do that. Also, most areas want you to have a couple years of experience at the bedside first (not all areas, but you have to look into that yourself). Just trying to get your gears turning a little.

And if you don't feel like you're fit for a lot of schooling and call yourself somewhat lazy, be sure to re evaluate if you can handle how demanding and stressful nursing school can be. Just because getting your BSN is only 4 years doesn't mean it isn't really hard work. My ADN felt like it took forever.

Your mom is almost right that there is job security in medicine. Again, depends on the area. But, there is way more job security than some other jobs. We will always need nurses. That won't change. But some jobs in medicine (which is why I said almost right) don't have that job security. For example, they are phasing out LPNs in my area and there have been rumors of phasing out RTs (which I so disagree with). Back to my point though, there is job security in nursing because if you don't work out at one hospital, no worries because there's hundreds of others for you to work at. If you don't want to do that, there's doctors offices, school nursing, clinics...so many opportunities.

And who said your life is a crap shoot? Try to be more positive.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Aug 13, 2015

Your mom is almost right that there is job security in medicine. Again, depends on the area. But, there is way more job security than some other jobs. We will always need nurses. That won't change. But some jobs in medicine (which is why I said almost right) don't have that job security. For example, they are phasing out LPNs in my area and there have been rumors of phasing out RTs (which I so disagree with). Back to my point though, there is job security in nursing because if you don't work out at one hospital, no worries because there's hundreds of others for you to work at. If you don't want to do that, there's doctors offices, school nursing, clinics...so many opportunities.

I believe that when the OP said his mother said there was more job security in medicine, she was referring to non-nursing jobs (you mentioned LPN, etc). By "medicine", she means "physicians" and related jobs (ie: PAs)....not nurses.

noelly10 · Aug 13, 2015

I believe that when the OP said his mother said there was more job security in medicine, she was referring to non-nursing jobs (you mentioned LPN, etc). By "medicine", she means "physicians" and related jobs (ie: PAs)....not nurses.

Gotcha.

Brain fart, my bad.

katie115 · Aug 13, 2015

Hey, I remember when I was in high school and I had the same inclination towards healthcare as you (I wanted to be a registered nurse from the get-go). I volunteered in direct patient care, did a senior project with a nurse practitioner, took several AP classes, and ended up in an AWESOME community college nursing program.

Your best bet is to focus on short-term goals for now, and then find your spot in nursing school. You'll get some experience from volunteering but trust me, the nursing process is NOT something you can be proficient at overnight... even experienced nurses are working on it every day!

Little building blocks will help you find your spot and reach your potential. Best of luck!

Meeshie · Aug 13, 2015

CRNA right now will take 9 years, give or take. They're talking about turning it into a doctorate, however. By the time you get there it might be more like 11 years.

So either way you're in school for the long haul.