Interested in nurse anesthetist career but don't know where to begin :(

littlepeopleRNICU · May 9, 2015

Well then, you honestly might think about pushing school back altogether until the child is 3. Unless you want to take a few classes here and there, which really, it's probably better to take them all when you're building them on each other and putting what you learn into practice on a regular basis. Entering a full-time ADN program will keep you away from your family as well. You have class hours, clinicals, hours upon hours of studying...it's not impossible to start a family while obtaining either degree, but if you're not wanting to start a BSN now because of that, then you might want to rethink nursing school right now altogether.

HolliLovesCake · May 9, 2015

Thank you! That is the kind of answers I was looking for. I obviously don't want to start nursing school right away because I'll have a newborn in 6 months, but I knew there was something I could do inbetween that would make starting nursing more bearable in the future.

guest769224 · May 9, 2015

And you had better enjoy being a very good nurse.

Why, lol. That makes no difference in anesthesia school.

guest769224 · May 9, 2015

So go straight for my bachelors? Don't worry about an associates or anything?

Get a job as an ICU tech. Land a job as a new grad RN in that ICU. Do an ADN program. While gaining experience for school, also get your BSN, maybe online. 2 years pass, you're ready to apply. Bam.

Make it happen.

Disclaimerâ€¦if you live in a BSN only areaâ€¦this won't exactly work.

JoseQuinones · May 10, 2015

Again, let me put this kindly but straight to save you time and aggravation: it is not a straight shot from non-nurse to CRNA in X number of years. There are so many variables you do not control, such as when you get into nursing school, when and if you get that critical care job, and when and if you get into CRNA school. If you want more certainty of doing anesthesia, go the MD route - it is about the same time commitment from where you stand now. Seriously, it is.

JoseQuinones · May 10, 2015

May 9 by ICUman
Quote from JoseQuinones
And you had better enjoy being a very good nurse.
Why, lol. That makes no difference in anesthesia school.

In my experience, the ones who go into nursing with their eye on the FNP or CRNA or other APN specialty rather than on being a nurse nurse flame out and quit. Life happens and there is no guarantee that she will bounce straight into where she wants to go. A CRNA is a nurse, first and foremost. In baseball, we call that keeping our eye on the ball. You can't hit a home run till you learn to drive singles.

HolliLovesCake · May 11, 2015

Again, let me put this kindly but straight to save you time and aggravation: it is not a straight shot from non-nurse to CRNA in X number of years. There are so many variables you do not control, such as when you get into nursing school, when and if you get that critical care job, and when and if you get into CRNA school. If you want more certainty of doing anesthesia, go the MD route - it is about the same time commitment from where you stand now. Seriously, it is.

I don't know where you keep getting this idea that I think there is some magical rainbow road that will take me to nurse anesthetist exactly how I plan. I'm a realist. Who knows if I'll even still want to do that after x amount of years of nursing? I know I have to go to nursing school and become a nurse, that's common sense. This is just the goal I am making and for me, having a goal set, especially one that's as high as nurse anesthetist makes pushing through all the hard work and years that come before it worth it. I was just asking how I should get started and hoping for some advice from moms that may have been in my situation before about starting school.

xxdiscoxxheaven · May 12, 2015

Long post ahead, sorry.
Okay first a background check, I'm 20 years old, married, and pregnant with my first child ( no judging ). I am a stay at home mom because my husband has a good job with benefits and we are comfortable. In high school I always wanted to be an anesthesiologist but after graduation I got lazy and rebellious and went to school for graphic design for a semester and dropped out because I didn't enjoy it. I worked and supported three other people other than myself until my husband was presented with an amazing opportunity to support us. Then I decided to go back to college for 3D modeling and animation because let's be honest, it sounds cool. And it is, for a hobby, not a career. So now I guess with hormones and impending motherhood, I am ready to buckle down and start working towards a serious career. Don't think I am too lazy for school. I made excellent grades, I just didn't enjoy the program's I chose and don't want to continue something I will never use. So after a LOT of research I decided I want to start working towards nurse anesthetist. I know I need a bachelors and masters and I don't want to start my bachelors until my child is at least 3. But should I pursue anything in the meantime? Something that would help make getting my bachelors simpler since I will be new to the medical field? Also looking for other CRNA's that could point me in the right direction for when I do start.

Hi Holly,

If you could, do some pre reqs now for an RN program. Remember that CRNA school is competitive so your grades better be excellent. This is no easy feat in nursing school where a 90% is a B. An ADN program is faster but depending on your area in the country, BSN may be preferred. Also, a BSN is required for grad school anyways so it will be what you need for CRNA school in the end. Browse some ICU jobs in your area and see what the trend is. Many ICU want experience so you may have to take a year in med surg and apply then. Places in my area will take BSN in the ICU as a new Grad but this is pretty difficult to find.

Getting pre reqs done early May help ease the burden of nursing school but it will be tough to juggle family, clinical, and class work as a young mom. It really is very time consuming and WITHOUT pay as a student. Good luck!

gbonrn · May 18, 2015

Please don't get discouraged by some comments, esp. The 1st one.... Please start taking one class, each semester, with your child you can probably handle one class, suggested English. . .. there are several perquisites you can take. Visit with a college counselor to fine out exactly what you need. Stay focused Forget the nonsense about not getting in ICU, right out if school. There is many hospitals that do accept new grads! You have your goal, just research & and do what it takes AND PURSUE IT!

txstudent6, BSN, RN · May 18, 2015

My mom started taking classes after having 3 kids. My little brother was 2 when she would take 1 or 2 prereq classes. She did the ADN route but this was awhile back when it was easier to get a job with an ADN. So for our time (and predicted the time when you finish school), I would say just go for the gold & get your BSN if you can depending on money and support system. Then of course after that, work as a nurse for a few years then apply for CRNA school. It's doable, you just have to be dedicated! Also, you may think you want to be a CRNA right now but it may change during your clinicals or during nursing school. For example, I know some people who were set on working in pediatrics then once clinicals came around they quickly changed their mind. Good luck!

littlepeopleRNICU · May 18, 2015

My mom started taking classes after having 3 kids. My little brother was 2 when she would take 1 or 2 prereq classes. She did the ADN route but this was awhile back when it was easier to get a job with an ADN. So for our time (and predicted the time when you finish school), I would say just go for the gold & get your BSN if you can depending on money and support system. Then of course after that, work as a nurse for a few years then apply for CRNA school. It's doable, you just have to be dedicated! Also, you may think you want to be a CRNA right now but it may change during your clinicals or during nursing school. For example, I know some people who were set on working in pediatrics then once clinicals came around they quickly changed their mind. Good luck!

^me. I always thought I would do L&D. Got to my clinicals and *hated* it.

codebrownie · Jun 19, 2015

My opinion is BSN! I'm searching for jobs right now, and most that I'm seeing require a BSN, especially crit care positions, and for a good reason. I believe it will save you time in the long-run, as opposed to doing an ADN program, working, then doing a RN-BSN program. You want to get that critical care experience as soon as possible, but I'm guessing they want that experience as a BSN, since that's what they require to apply. I'm looking towards CRNA too, so all of this stuff has crossed my mind as well! Best of luck to you, and enjoy your little one once he/she arrives :)