Mepn to CRNA??

This is my first post in the CRNA forum, so first let me say hi to everyone!

I'm a 21 yr. old happily married with a daughter and a second baby on the way!

I'm entering my senior year at the University of San Diego and expect to receive a BA in Biochemistry. I have no formal nursing education, but want to become a CRNA. What is the best path for me to take to become a CRNA via one of the three schools in California??

Am I better off going through a MEPN program and then gaining experience in the appropriate areas as discussed in other threads (i.e.-ICU), and then getting a second masters from a CRNA program?

Or should/can I go to a cc (waitlist is ~2yrs in San Diego) and become a RN and then acquire the experience needed to apply to a CRNA program (if this is even practical...considering that some if not all three of the programs require BSN level course work in nursing)?

I'd appreciate any and all input!

Welcome!

First, you'll need to finish your degree. Maybe try and get a BS rather than a BA? You'll have to check on that. Shoot for a GPA over 3.3 but it's not the end of the world if you don't have one that high.

Second, become an RN. I don't know what a MEPN is, or stands for, but become an RN and find the largest teaching hospital (maybe check out Scrips in La Jolla) and work on the surgical, medical, or cardiac icu. It's possible to be accepted without a year experience, but your chances are much greater after a year.

3rd, gather as much knowledge (and resume candy) as possible in the form of certifications. ACLS, PALS, CCRN, TNCC, etc.

4th, read a ton of the posts over in the pre-crna forum and then after a while start peaking in on the CRNA forum to get an idea of the professional issues and clinical issues.

5th Take the GRE if required.

Finally, call the directors of the schools you are interested in and talk to them. It's best to get the lowdown straight from the horses mouth.

Hookem

welcome!

first, you'll need to finish your degree. maybe try and get a bs rather than a ba? you'll have to check on that. shoot for a gpa over 3.3 but it's not the end of the world if you don't have one that high.

unfortuneately, usd is a liberal arts school so i'm stuck with a ba in biochem., but i've been doing basic research (i'm a mcnair scholar, formerly a a pre-undergraduate research scholar) for four years so the "science" definately sticks to my resume/c.v. i hope to graduate w/ a 3.0....good enough?

second, become an rn. i don't know what a mepn is, or stands for, but become an rn and find the largest teaching hospital (maybe check out scrips in la jolla) and work on the surgical, medical, or cardiac icu. it's possible to be accepted without a year experience, but your chances are much greater after a year.

an mepn is a master's entry program in nursing for ppl w/ a bs/ba in another area. first year gives you the foundation to sit/pass the nclex and the next two years give you the education to become a clinical nurse specialist where you can go onto a post-masters certification program for something like an fnp. with the long waitinglist at the cc's, i'm thinking an mepn program may actually save me time, although not money--but atleast i'll be able to practice sooner to gain experience at places like scripps la jolla as you mentioned. do you think the mepn might disqualify me for a crna master's program....too much education??(fear of being "tainted" with bad habits that will be hard to break?)

hookem

thank you soo much for the quick and detailed advice!!!

Thank you soo much for the quick and detailed advice!!!

Ok, i get it. I did the same thing at UT. We called it "Alternate Entry". However, i negotiated with them to get a BSN, instead of getting the masters. And I'll start CRNA school this spring, so no it won't hurt. BA vs. BS in BioChem prolly won't matter.

What happened to me was I started working in the ICU and found out I could get into CRNA school with a year of experience while i had 2 years to finish my Alternate entry masters (in either public health, generic pediatrics, CNS, or management). I found the masters courses brutally annoying and spent every minute in class thinking "This doesn't further my CRNA education one frickin bit" so I ultimately made them give me a BSN. If i had your degree in biochem, i would have just quit and applied immediately to CRNA school instead of seeking the BSN. So maybe all you have to do is get through that one year and then apply!

...maybe all you have to do is get through that one year and then apply!

That's another option I've thought about. Do you think it might hurt me because they can view me as a "drop out"?

That's another option I've thought about. Do you think it might hurt me because they can view me as a "drop out"?

What about an accelerated BSN program? You can earn your BSN in a year, instead of earning a Master's in three.

What about an accelerated BSN program? You can earn your BSN in a year, instead of earning a Master's in three.

I may be wrong, but I thought accelerated BSN programs were for those that are already RNs? (I'm not an RN, but will have a bachelors in biochem).

Univ. of San Diego's nursing program has a 2 yrs. master in clinical nursing program. The first of those two years gets you prepared to take the NCLEX that first summer. I'm thinking about doing that and applying to a CRNA school in CA after the first year is complete and finish the second year while I wait for admissions deciscions. Is this the quickest route for my situation to get me eligible for CRNA admissions?

That's another option I've thought about. Do you think it might hurt me because they can view me as a "drop out"?

It would depend how you spun it. If you said you just looked for the fastest route to becoming a CRNA I think you would be fine. I spent a large amount of time in my interview having to explain my "unique" RN status--I applied before I had my BSN, and only had a license with no degree attached to it. Some of the Schools didn't like it or couldn't understand it, but others it didn't phase at all. They seemed to like the fact I was able to think out of the box to reach my goals.

However, if you could do the ADN program I would do it because its so much cheaper.

good luck

I may be wrong, but I thought accelerated BSN programs were for those that are already RNs? (I'm not an RN, but will have a bachelors in biochem).

Univ. of San Diego's nursing program has a 2 yrs. master in clinical nursing program. The first of those two years gets you prepared to take the NCLEX that first summer. I'm thinking about doing that and applying to a CRNA school in CA after the first year is complete and finish the second year while I wait for admissions deciscions. Is this the quickest route for my situation to get me eligible for CRNA admissions?

No, there are some accellerated BSN programs. I agree with Darien, that would be a good way to go. Less headache explaining things in interviews.

I may be wrong, but I thought accelerated BSN programs were for those that are already RNs? (I'm not an RN, but will have a bachelors in biochem).

There are both. There are 1 year programs available to those for people like you with a Bachelor's degree in something besides nursing. You earn a BSN in one year instead of this Master's program you are suggesting.

the accelerated bsn at my school is for people that have degrees in other fields. the program is 2 years.

the accelerated bsn at my school is for people that have degrees in other fields. the program is 2 years.

The accelerated 1yr. BSN programs sound like a good idea. But after doing some research I can only find one (Mt. St. Mary's College) in california--if anyone knows any others, please let me know. The rest are 2yr programs and I think for two years, I might as well come out with an MEPN (I think it might make me more competitive for applying to CRNA programs. Thanks for the great suggestion though (to everyone who brought up the accelerated BSN idea).