Need nursing career path advise!!!

[SuperNova153]

Hello,

I'm pretty confused as to what the best course of action I should take in order to get into the nursing field. I would ultimately like to become either a CRNA or NP.

Here is my history:

I am a 22 year old male living in Michigan. I would like to stay in the Michigan area, due to family. I have very little money, but am willing to spend whatever I have to in order to get into a school that will allow me to meet my goals. I am currently going to Michigan State University for a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology, this is my final semester. My last two semesters, I have kicked it in gear, and will receive 4.0s in all of my coursework, however, my cumulative GPA will most likely be 2.8-3.0. I am a Certified Nurse Assistant, and have about 9 months of experience. I am also taking classes at Lansing Community College, and will graduate from the EMT-Basic program with a 4.0 this semester.

I am having trouble deciding what I should do. I waited so long to decide these things because I thought I wanted to become a PA. I was a bit turned off to PA-school the more I realized what RNs can do. I'm working in the ER during my clinicals, and love what the ER Nurses do.

I would like to have started the accelerated BSN program at MSU, but never took NUR 300, one of the pre-requisites. I want through school as soon as possible, and although my GPA doesn't back me up, I am very much able to take extremely accelerated courses.

Here are the options I could find, considering my GPA:

1. I find an accelerated second degree program to obtain my BSN on top of my BS in Human Biology, work as an RN, and go to grad school to become a CRNA or LP when I can. (Does anyone know of an accelerated program that would accept me?)

2. Get my associates degree as an RN, apply to an RN-to-BSN program, work as an RN, and go to grad school to become a CRNA or LP when I can. (This seems like it would take a lot of time to do, so I would like to avoid it, if possible)

I need to find the most prestigious program to get accepted into in order to be competitive for a CRNA or LP program. This seems to be pretty difficult because most of the programs I've looked at require a 3.0 minimum. I also would very much like to start my career as soon as possible, no matter how much work it takes. I have very good work ethic, and should be able to get great references to apply to the CRNA or LP programs.

I really don't know what the best option would be, or if I have other options please let me know. I am very open to opinions, so if you have any advice at all as to what I should do I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you very much for your time, I really don't know what to do, and need to find out soon!

[Ct22]

Supernova,

I am somewhat in the same boat as you and also am confused which path I should take. I am planning to be an NP and I currently have a bachelor's in Social Work. I was also torn between whether I should enter an accelerated BSN program, work as an RN for a few years, and then enter an MSN program..or whether I should go straight into an accelerated MSN for non-nurses.. Out of the 2 options you mentioned, I believe #1 is a very reasonable path to your goal..That is a path I am also considering myself. #2 definitely takes quite long and I would not pursue that path myself, but it's up to you if you want to. Have you thought about going straight into an accelerated MSN for non-nurses and skipping getting your BSN??

[SuperNova153]

Ct22,

What kind of accelerated MSN for non-nurses exist? It is possible to become a CRNA without getting my BSN? I'd love to explore this option, I've never seen a program like that anywhere.

-Supernova