Immediate Advice, Please!

[Havivah]

I need some serious advice here. For purposes of my poised question here, I believe it will be best to state the long-term goal first, which is to obtain CRNA licensure @USC. I am fully aware of the requirements the program mandates, (and for fulfillment of acute care, I would prefer to work in the NICU). Now, it is just getting there that is the next portion!

What is best?!?

LVN--> RN--> BRN?

RN--> BRN?

BRN?

I currently live and reside in Southern California. I am nearly finished with my college coursework for General Education of an undergraduate degree HOWEVER, I'm having a great deal of trouble getting my "core" courses [Anatomy/Physio/Microbio/Chem] as every single community college within a 60 mile (yes, 60 mile) radius are booked solid, therefore, it would be near impossible for me to transfer directly to a BRN program.. Also, many nursing programs require certain coursework to be completed with a 5-7 year time frame. I worry I may lose out and need to re-take coursework. Unfortunately, the college counselors have spoken to have been less than helpful; Nursing programs have only gone so far as to advise me what I need to apply to the program.

In terms of getting the coursework, I'm heavily and also very sadly (financially) considering taking as much Bio/Chem during the Winter/Spring quarter at UCI. Then transfer to CSU Bakersfield's BRN program. So far, that's the best solution (though costly) that I have conjured up.

I'm an older student, soon to be 27, and would very much like to have a happy little family before I, for lack of better words, biologically expire. I don't care how much I travel- my family can move with me :)

Please, any/all guidance in this is greatly appreciated. If I were to pursue the CSU-Bakersfield BRN route, I need to apply there like NOW lol.. because the application's due tomorrow!!!

[caliotter3]

I think you want to pursue a BSN degree. BRN is the abbreviation for the Board of Registered Nursing. Check into taking your science prerequisites online at one of the several schools that many students in similar circumstances report successful transfer from: UNE University of New England - COM - Online Education - COM Online Education Ocean County Community College in NJ Ocean County College and the consortium of community colleges in Colorado -- CCCOnline Home Page are three of the most popular schools for nursing prerequisites. UNE has rolling admissions and you can complete the courses as fast as you can handle them.

[Havivah]

Yes, you are correct - I go tmy acronyms a little mixed up (post should have read RN-BSN). Apologies for any typos ensued here as I am typing on a horrible keyboard. Thank you SO MUCH for the advice. I will take advantage of it for sure! Ok, here goes!

[caliotter3]

Yes, there is no reason why you should just sit around getting older waiting for a seat in CA classrooms, when you can take these courses online and get them out of the way. Lots of SoCal students take online courses to get around the long lines at community colleges. Best wishes.

[Queen Tiye, CNA]

hello havivah,

i'm also on the road to becoming a crna. if you need to work asap as a nurse, then you could go for your rn first, if you have time and can afford it, go for the four year program/ bsn.

i'm opting to do the rn/ adn first because i need to earn money as quickly as possible, and start earning my critical care experience to meet the crna entry requirements. then i'll do a "bridge" program to earn my bsn. will be easier with the rn education and work experience.

then graduate school here we come!

don't panic, just find somewhere else take your prerequisites, and honey child, 27 is hardly "older"!

and as for starting a family, you may find it difficult to return to such a demanding academic career after you become a wife and a mother. you might wish you did it first. and think of this . . . you will have established yourself academically, professionally, socially/ financially when you earn your crna.

when you're in graduate school, it will be all but impossible to work and take care of your family and deal with the rigorous course work and clinical rotations. on top of that stuff, you'll have child care bills and a husband who may very well feel neglected and overwhelmed by picking up the slack at home.

[RebeccaV]

I want to be an NP and Im 27 myself. So, I know I have years of school ahead and want to get it done asap, currently Im in a 2 year RN program, I plan to work a year or so, and three universities in my area offer a RN to MSN program with either CRNA or NP which takes only 2 years, Id suggest that if its an option