I have a B.S. degree, what would it take to become a CRNA?

johnnybravo8802 · Mar 27, 2010

You know, I know I'm going to come off as an ass with my reply
*** Yes you did.
but, I think it's time for some tough love. Let me get the story straight-You're not even an RN and you want to become a CRNA?
*** So what? My two best friends are currently in CRNA school and they went to nursing specifically to go to CRNA school. Lots of people so that.
I want to make sure I get that part right. First off, you obviously have no interest in becoming an RN or you would start there. Most people are RN's for a while, get some really good ICU experience under their belt and decide to advance their career through becoming a CRNA-That's the way it normally goes.
*** Except for all the people who have no intention of being a nurse except to gain experience for CRNA school. What somebody elses motivations are are none of your business. Why would you even care.
This couldn't be about the money, could it? Hmmmmm....I wonder.
*** I don't know but so what if it is? Nothing wrong with that.
We just got through with a thread about people going into nursing for the wrong reasons and here we go....
*** Why anyone else goes to nursing school isn't any one's business. We all have our reasons. Personally I could care less what motivated my co-workers to become nurses. I care that they are good at their jobs. I became a nurse when I decided to quite dairy farming and learned from the local community college that I could be an RN in only 9 months. I did it because it was quick and easy.
You have to start out with being an RN first-BSN minimum-
*** You are misinformed. A BSN is not required to be a CRNA. Some schools require it but many do not.
This is a master's level program. Then a minimum of 1 year ICU experience. Most programs will hardly look at you unless you have around 5 yrs.
*** I don't know about most programs but I do know about the 4 programs in MN and the one in WI and that is not even close to being true for them. 1-3 years of solid experience is plenty.
of ICU experience-I'm not talking about the community ICU either, more like Level 1 trauma center ICU. You really need to have a strong cardiac background. This is just the beginning.
*** Naw, nurses from our PICU go to CRNA school all the time and they have very little cardiac background. I don't know how hard it is for them but they all seem to come back as CRNAs.
Then you have to take the GRE and pass it
*** Maybe for some schools, but lots don't require it at all. Your choice whether to take it or not.
When I looked into it, they wanted courses at the bachelor's level that were more Pre-Med level-Bio chem, physics, organic chem, more physics, etc. and they want you to have good grades in those classes.
*** Maybe some schools, for most the science classes most of us took for nursing with the addition of another chem class is fine. Wouldn't hurt to take the classes you talk about but not needed. CRNA programs are designed for nurses.
The next step is to pay off all of your debt because you won't be working for 28-36 months, depending on the program you apply to.
*** Make that 24-36 months depending on the program. Maybe is the OP avoids your unnecessary suggestion of getting a BSN and instead gets her ADN she won't owe money that needs to be paid off before grad school.
When you get out of school, you'll have even more debt from the program. You basically live off of loans or a spouse working or both. Yea, the course is grueling and you can expect to be up at 3AM looking at cadavers. I know these things because I've known quite a few people who were accepted into the program. I was going down that road but decided some things were more important than money and giving up my life for 3 years.
*** Different stroke for different folks. The other big reason guys I know head to CRNA school is to get out of the toxic female ruled world of the ICU while at the same time avoiding grad programs that talk about the stupid and silly "nursing theory" that dominate MSN programs. Another BIG motivating factor is the autonomy and independence offered by being a CRNA.
Ever wonder why 5-6% of RNs are men but 66% of CRNAs are men?

Well, it must be different where you're from but down here, the things I pointed out are true-I spent about a year doing research into different programs. Being able to get into the program with an ADN doesn't even make logical sense-How do you think you can jump from an ADN to a master's degree without getting a four year degree in nursing first? Does that make any sense. The ICU experience is a necessity and you can find out by calling a few schools. I spoke to them at MCG and those words came directly from the guy in charge. Also, the GRE is required for any Master's level degree-That's common knowledge and has been for some time.

PMFB-RN, RN · Mar 27, 2010

Well, it must be different where you're from but down here, the things I pointed out are true-I spent about a year doing research into different programs.

*** You must have been very selective about the programs you researched.

Being able to get into the program with an ADN doesn't even make logical sense-How do you think you can jump from an ADN to a master's degree without getting a four year degree in nursing first?

*** A bachelors degree IS required for CRNA school. It doesn't have to be in nursing. Certain schools, usually those associated with big state universities require a BSN and they grant an MSN on graduation. However they are in the minority. The majority of CRNA programs grant a masters in something other than nursing on graduation. The one here in Wisconsin grants a MS in biology. I know of a school that grants a masters in health care administration to their CRNA grads. Lost grant the master of nurse anesthesia, which is not an MSN.

If we stop talking about CRNA for a second here there are lots of programs that allow a nurse to go from ADN to MSN with no bachelors degree wither required or obtained in the program. They do require that the ADN prepared nurse complete a bridge program, usually about one year long. Here are some links to a couple such programs:

http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/prespecrn.html

http://www.midwives.org/academics.asp?id=162&pid=56

Does that make any sense. The ICU experience is a necessity and you can find out by calling a few schools.

*** Yes of course, that's what I said. My point was that lots of people, people I know get accepted with far less than the 5 years experience you claimed. 1-3 years solid experience is plenty.

I spoke to them at MCG and those words came directly from the guy in charge. Also, the GRE is required for any Master's level degree-That's common knowledge and has been for some time

*** Well what you know simply isn't true. Here are a couple links to programs that do not require the GRE and do not require a BSN. By no means am I including all such programs, just a couple for an example.

http://www.nurseanesthesia.org/prospectivestudents/admission.html

http://www2.smumn.edu/deptpages/~NAP/ADCRITERIA0110.pdf

Here are some schools that do require the GRE but do not require a BSN.

http://www.baymedical.org/education/_doc/admission_requirements_2010.pdf

http://www.barry.edu/anesthesiology/admissions/Default.htm

johnnybravo8802 · Mar 27, 2010

Well, it must be different where you're from but down here, the things I pointed out are true-I spent about a year doing research into different programs.
*** You must have been very selective about the programs you researched.
Being able to get into the program with an ADN doesn't even make logical sense-How do you think you can jump from an ADN to a master's degree without getting a four year degree in nursing first?
*** A bachelors degree IS required for CRNA school. It doesn't have to be in nursing. Certain schools, usually those associated with big state universities require a BSN and they grant an MSN on graduation. However they are in the minority. The majority of CRNA programs grant a masters in something other than nursing on graduation. The one here in Wisconsin grants a MS in biology. I know of a school that grants a masters in health care administration to their CRNA grads. Lost grant the master of nurse anesthesia, which is not an MSN.
If we stop talking about CRNA for a second here there are lots of programs that allow a nurse to go from ADN to MSN with no bachelors degree wither required or obtained in the program. They do require that the ADN prepared nurse complete a bridge program, usually about one year long. Here are some links to a couple such programs:
http://www.nursing.vanderbilt.edu/msn/prespecrn.html
http://www.midwives.org/academics.asp?id=162&pid=56
Does that make any sense. The ICU experience is a necessity and you can find out by calling a few schools.
*** Yes of course, that's what I said. My point was that lots of people, people I know get accepted with far less than the 5 years experience you claimed. 1-3 years solid experience is plenty.
I spoke to them at MCG and those words came directly from the guy in charge. Also, the GRE is required for any Master's level degree-That's common knowledge and has been for some time
*** Well what you know simply isn't true. Here are a couple links to programs that do not require the GRE and do not require a BSN. By no means am I including all such programs, just a couple for an example.
http://www.nurseanesthesia.org/prospectivestudents/admission.html
http://www2.smumn.edu/deptpages/~NAP/ADCRITERIA0110.pdf
Here are some schools that do require the GRE but do not require a BSN.
http://www.baymedical.org/education/_doc/admission_requirements_2010.pdf
http://www.barry.edu/anesthesiology/admissions/Default.htm

It appears that it has either become easier to get into anesthesia school or the requirements are less stringent up north. Maybe because of the demand, they lessened the requirements to get more CRNA's out into the field. When I looked into MCG, they required several higher level science courses above and beyond the typical BSN degree. The average GPA was a 3.6 and higher. The average person they accepted with ICU experience had 5+ years of experience. It was a 28 month program-the programs ranged from 28-36 months. You absolutely had to have the GRE and obtain a certain score. Emory's PA program requires the GRE also. One reason I gave up was because the requirements were so high-I would have had to go back to school for 2 more years(Above my BSN)to get the bio and organic chem., physics, etc. I do know that you can't work while you're in the program because of the stringent curriculum which, in turn, means you take out loans for 28+ months. That's why MCG stressed me paying off all of my bills. At the time, the cardiac end was important-I used to work in the OR at Emory and the chief anesthesiologist suggested I beef up on my cardiac background(I am stronger in neuroscience). I will say that this was back in 03' when I was looking into this so maybe they've lifted some of the requirements.

Krystin · Mar 27, 2010

I want to be a CRNA. I'm not an RN at this time. I start schooling to become an RN in the fall. I have a 3.7 GPA (30+ credits) and I'm 28 years old. I do not have a previous bachelors degree, but I do have 6 years military experience.

Becoming a nurse dawned on me, in the form of an epiphany, when I was working at this testing range in AZ. A girl I worked with invited me to an event her mother was attending. I got to talking with her mother...who was a nurse... and then it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Anyway, once I settled on nursing as a goal I started reading voraciously about all of the things nurses can do. I read about all of the things individuals in this profession are capable of and then i saw anesthetists. It was attractive to me immediately. Not because of the allegedly fat paychecks - I hadn't even gotten that far - but because of the history. To me it is just the coolest [expletive deleted] specialty in the world. Did you know that when a person has certain brain surgeries they have to be kept completely lucid for it!? That's so awesome I can hardly stand it.

I also have a lot of family members who are opiate addicts. My sister and brother (I am the middle of three) are heroin addicts. I believe this specialty was attractive to me because of them. For the past ten years my siblings (and myself by extension/relation) have been surrounded by the negativity this sort of addiction brings. I feel this deep down, almost spiritual need to use these sorts of drugs for what they were intended for, or at least what they're the most useful for. I've seen so much misery caused by them, it's as if I must find their true purpose and devote my life to it - like my siblings, but not as the physical user. I never became addicted to any substances, I won't either.

Anyway, I know it's a long road. I don't care. This is what I'm going to do. I will do anything I have to in order to fulfill this career.

So, I made this decision at 27 with no previous degree and minimal, paltry credits. I started taking more classes while working one job - paying out of pocket - but no science - in 2009. In 2010 my spouse and I moved states. I enrolled in a CC and began science prereqs as per the advice of a local private school (based on their prereqs.)

I found a private college 40 minute away and applied. I'm accepted to begin my BSN training as of the fall. I will be an RN in 2 years - and i can begin working once I pass the NCLEX and get a job. I hope to get into critical care asap. While employed for this year I will finish my BSN and take a class in organic chemistry. After 1700 hours I will certify for CCRN. Once CCRN certified and assuming I meet the requirements I will begin applying for every CRNA training school near a family member (I've already informed ALL of them I intend to live with them - on their couch if i have to - while in CRNA school. My father, mother, aunt, grandmother, even my husbands' family members. Under my current plan I will have at least 1 semester (hopefully 2) of the post 9/11 GI Bill available to pay for at least a portion (if not all) of the school.

I am hoping that with the number of schools at my disposal, and assuming my GPA stays comparable to what it is now, I will have this goal accomplished before I am 35.

I want you to really think critically here though. On paper a CRNA appears to make a LOT of money. Since the OP already has a bachelors, they are already better equipped than I am on paper, however given the amount of training I don't feel in any way inferior. Anyway, after you consider loans and the length of time invested - the financial contributions on the back end aren't so significant.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's a long road ahead. If you're only looking at the salary - you're doing it wrong. It doesn't matter how much money a job pays, if you don't absolutely love it, you're in for a life/world of hurt and disappointment. It is a lot of work, a lot of school, and a lot of money.

I want to be completely clear here. I feel like a broken record but this really isn't the type of work you get into solely for the money. You get into it to save lives. Personally I want to volunteer overseas and in adverse situations, but I've been in such scenarios before so they aren't new to me. The way I see it, my life won't matter nearly as much as the ones I save. This thought process is what makes the rest of the hurdles seem like no more than speed bumps....

PMFB-RN, RN · Mar 27, 2010

It appears that it has either become easier to get into anesthesia school or the requirements are less stringent up north. Maybe because of the demand, they lessened the requirements to get more CRNA's out into the field.

*** No, that didn't happen at all. Besides to places where it's easiest (meaning number of people accepted compared to qualified applicants) to get into CRNA school are Florida and Pennsylvania.

When I looked into MCG, they required several higher level science courses above and beyond the typical BSN degree. The average GPA was a 3.6 and higher. The average person they accepted with ICU experience had 5+ years of experience. It was a 28 month program-the programs ranged from 28-36 months. You absolutely had to have the GRE and obtain a certain score. Emory's PA program requires the GRE also. One reason I gave up was because the requirements were so high-I would have had to go back to school for 2 more years(Above my BSN)to get the bio and organic chem., physics, etc. I do know that you can't work while you're in the program because of the stringent curriculum which, in turn, means you take out loans for 28+ months. That's why MCG stressed me paying off all of my bills.

*** Oh I have no doubt that this one particular school you are talking about has all the requirements you mention. However you generalized about CRNA schools and made some silly claims about all of them, and grad schools in general based on what you learned about one particular school. You are generally correct about not being able to work while in the program. It's a huge commitment. There is at least one part time CRNA program that allows time for working.

So you made your "everybody knows you have to take the GRE for grad school" statment based on talking to ONE single grad school? Doesn't that seem kind of rash?

At the time, the cardiac end was important-I used to work in the OR at Emory and the chief anesthesiologist suggested I beef up on my cardiac background(I am stronger in neuroscience). I will say that this was back in 03' when I was looking into this so maybe they've lifted some of the requirements

*** No requirements have been lifted. I don't know but I suspect the requirements at the one particular school you checked into are likely still the same. Why you would assume, and then tell people here, that all the schools have the same requirements I don't understand. A cardiac background would certainly be helpful and I would suggest anyone interested brush up on their cardiac stuff, in particular the drugs and drips. That said, lots of people from non cardiac ICUs are accepted to and graduate from CRNA school.

johnnybravo8802 · Mar 27, 2010

It appears that it has either become easier to get into anesthesia school or the requirements are less stringent up north. Maybe because of the demand, they lessened the requirements to get more CRNA's out into the field.
*** No, that didn't happen at all. Besides to places where it's easiest (meaning number of people accepted compared to qualified applicants) to get into CRNA school are Florida and Pennsylvania.
When I looked into MCG, they required several higher level science courses above and beyond the typical BSN degree. The average GPA was a 3.6 and higher. The average person they accepted with ICU experience had 5+ years of experience. It was a 28 month program-the programs ranged from 28-36 months. You absolutely had to have the GRE and obtain a certain score. Emory's PA program requires the GRE also. One reason I gave up was because the requirements were so high-I would have had to go back to school for 2 more years(Above my BSN)to get the bio and organic chem., physics, etc. I do know that you can't work while you're in the program because of the stringent curriculum which, in turn, means you take out loans for 28+ months. That's why MCG stressed me paying off all of my bills.
*** Oh I have no doubt that this one particular school you are talking about has all the requirements you mention. However you generalized about CRNA schools and made some silly claims about all of them, and grad schools in general based on what you learned about one particular school. You are generally correct about not being able to work while in the program. It's a huge commitment. There is at least one part time CRNA program that allows time for working.
So you made your "everybody knows you have to take the GRE for grad school" statment based on talking to ONE single grad school? Doesn't that seem kind of rash?
At the time, the cardiac end was important-I used to work in the OR at Emory and the chief anesthesiologist suggested I beef up on my cardiac background(I am stronger in neuroscience). I will say that this was back in 03' when I was looking into this so maybe they've lifted some of the requirements
*** No requirements have been lifted. I don't know but I suspect the requirements at the one particular school you checked into are likely still the same. Why you would assume, and then tell people here, that all the schools have the same requirements I don't understand. A cardiac background would certainly be helpful and I would suggest anyone interested brush up on their cardiac stuff, in particular the drugs and drips. That said, lots of people from non cardiac ICUs are accepted to and graduate from CRNA school.

I didn't make my generalizations about one school-MCG. If you'll remember, I did research for about a year on several different schools but they were all in the south-They all had similar requirements and were all more difficult to get into than the one's you mentioned. I also had several friends who applied and got into school while I was working with them-I watched their path on a daily basis while at work with them each day. I also have a good friend I talk to on a regular basis who is a CRNA and has his own company. So, my info. is a little bit more than a generalization from one school.Peace out! :smokin:

PMFB-RN, RN · Mar 27, 2010

I didn't make my generalizations about one school-MCG. If you'll remember, I did research for about a year on several different schools but they were all in the south-They all had similar requirements and were all more difficult to get into than the one's you mentioned. I also had several friends who applied and got into school while I was working with them-I watched their path on a daily basis while at work with them each day. I also have a good friend I talk to on a regular basis who is a CRNA and has his own company. So, my info. is a little bit more than a generalization from one school.Peace out!

*** I believe you but am left to wonder how so much of the information you posted here was wrong. It's not very helpful to those who come here seeking information to tell them things that are either not true, or only true for certain schools.

trae55 · Mar 27, 2010

I have a family member that is in school to be a CRNA. She always knew what she wanted to do since high school and planned well. She kept her grades at a 4.0 average, worked in ICU for a year, and then applied to two schools. She got in both without more than one year experience as a nurse and no extra pre-med type classes. Just keep your grades up!