I need help about which way to go!

[futurenp]

I'm really struggling with which direction to go in prep for nurse anesthesia programs. I have a BA in economics. My plan was to go to the local CC and get my ADN. I was also going to take more general chemistry, o-chem and a quarter of physics. Upon researching programs, however, I noticed that most require a BSN or a major in a science. The only BSN program around is a 40 minute drive and a private school at 20k per year. The other option is to get my adn and then go another year after that for my BSN. That's the same as getting an entirely new bachelors degree. I even looked into getting another bachelors in biology. I could also go to the same private school and do an entry level masters degree in 3 years. The cost of that is around 50k. Will having another masters hurt me? I'm driving myself crazy with all the options. WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

[TraumaNurse]

IMO, if the ADN program is near you and cheaper, then go to the ADN program. After you finish, while getting the required work experience, do a RN-BSN completion (which you can even do online if you need to). When you finish your BSN, you will be in a position to apply to anesthesia school. The other advantage is you will actually be making pretty good money while finishing your BSN so you can actually save some $$ for anesthesia school.

It is not easy and not fun to be working full time, trying to learn to be a nurse in a new area, and going to school full time to finish your BSN. But if motivated, it can be done.

Time-wise there probably isn't much of a difference, so do whatever fits your situation best (financial, commute time etc).

As for the BS vs BSN, since it will take just as much time to do the BS or BSN, I would go for the BSN because it allows you to apply to all anesthesia programs. The BS is accepted a fewer schools. Of course, if you know the programs you are interested in applying to accept the BS, then it go for it.

[futurenp]

Thanks for the great info. I really appreciate your reply. Do you know if they look more favorably upon chemistry and physics taken at a university vs. a community college?

[jewelcutt]

If there were a BSN program in your area, and cheap, I would say to do that. But in your situation I would do the ADN. You already have all the required pre-reqs like I did with my chem and math background, so ADN school will probably only be three to four days and you can still work. I loved my ADN program, because there were only 80 of us we got more individualized learning, the program was very organized, and we had a whole day of lecture and two days of clinical a week. They can only do this if there is a small class. Also you can work as a nurse while finishing your BSN online and do clinical requirements at your hospital. I applied to anesthesia school while still finishing my BSN. Keep in mind that you have to be very motivated to do this, I had been in school for 7 years full time all year round while working full time as an RN the last two before anesthesia school. It's kinda funny, I never really got out of the school mode, so the shock wasn't that bad. I actually went to crna school 1 year earlier by getting my adn then bsn while working even though doing this route was more work.