need help on which way to go

Kate3106 · Apr 2, 2010

I am in a similar boat. Hosever, I am not yet an RN. I am in an RN program debating what to do when I graduate. I am very much interested in CRNA school (which I need ICU experience for) but i love children so i could get peds experience and be a pediatric NP. Alot to think about!!! What I do know is that an anesthesiologist is a Doctor and will require a pre-med degree adn then ofcourse acceptance adn completion of a anesthesiology med school. Good Luck~

Jdog19s · Apr 2, 2010

To be an anesthesiologist you need to just get into a medical school in general, you don't choose a specialty until the end of medical school in which you apply for anesthesia residency programs- which arent a guarentee of getting into, or atleast not guarenteed to get into the one you want.

If you like kids you can go to a school for pediatric nurse practitioner, if you like the idea of a CRNA you could always become one and then move to a place where there is a childrens hospital and work as a CRNA for all the kids that need surgery-

I would recommend shadowing both of the professions you are interested in because it is very expensive to get to these careers and its even more money if you change your mind half way through- not to mention I believe that CRNA and PNP are so completely different fields having individual positives and negatives that are person specific- so really no one can tell you which career is better for you, except you.

CardioNP · Apr 6, 2010

I was in roughly in the same arena as you are currently. I graduated with my ADN in December 2008 and began working Jan. 2009 in a Coronary Care Unit. In July 2009 I began classes within a BSN program and should complete it in March 2011. I also have been taking pre-reqs for a CRNA program concurrently with the RN-BSN program. It is very difficult, but if in the end you achieve what you set out to do it is all worth it. As long as you are happy. I tossed the idea of taking classes towards medical school and applying, but after much thought I didn't think I would be happy. My future plans in life would not allow addtiona school, that and my fiance said so :). I have been going to school full time as it is since I was 20 switching pathways once during my tenure. I am now soon to be 26 and well on my way to the best career choice of my life. The best advice I can give you is achieve the BEST possible grades you can. If you feel you can do better, take them again. If there is any certifications you feel will help you, take them. There is always going to be that one person who acheives a little biut more and will get into a CRNA program over you. CCRN is a must in my opinion. I have friends in CRNA programs all over the state and only 30-40% have a CCRN. If you don't have experience, take the CCRN to supplement your credentials. I just accepted a position in a surgical ICU which tops CCU on the acceptance roster being that you get more experience with Swan Ganz. I had thought about the NP role for a long time, too. The only portion I enjoyed is being able to work while in school. But I don't feel I would have fun. I want to have fun and enjoy my position and that is what you need to determine for you.