NEW to CRNA, have questions..

[student7345]

I am graduating in the spring of 09 in Respiratory Therapy. I had surgery clinicals this week and I worked with anesthesia and some CRNA's. I really really liked what they did and decided that that is what I want to do for the rest of m life. So my first questions have to do with getting to the point where I can apply to CRNA school. Would it be better to get a Bachelor's in Respiratory or the other option I have, which is in Allied Health Science? Then, after deciding on with Bachelor's to get, can I get into CRNA school with this Bachelor's and only the RN and not the BSN or do I HAVE to have a BSN? Next, what is the fastest way to get to the point where I can apply to CRNA school? The Bachelors in allied health sciences is only 38 credit hours where the bachelors in Respiratory is, i think, 54 hours, i know its more than 50. Should I get my bachelors in one of those two areas and then go for the RN? i found a bridge program in kansas that would only be 8 classes. or should i go from the bachelors into the accelerated BSN program? And does critical care experience in respiratory care count for the RN critical care requirments? I know kinda what i want to do and how i want to go about it but this is all so new and i dont want to miss something by choosing one direction too soon. thanks for all the help

[Putu2Sleep]

First off, critical care experience as a RRT does not count as the critical care requirement that schools want as a RN. And as for the Bachelor's degree. Most schools just say a Bachelors degree in something other than nursing is ok, but you have to be a RN. So its going to be whatever you want to get your Bachelor's Degree in. Also during this time I would start studying for your GRE and start looking at particular schools you are interested in and see what they exactly want from their applicants.

[beedog13]

RR,

MOST schools require a BSN. There are SOME that will let you in with your RN and some other Bachelor's Degree. For where you are at, an accelerated BSN sounds like a really good option if you meet the criteria, if not, find the BSN program that gives you the best head start from you education thus far. While you r RR experience will not count as critical care it will look great on an application, help you in your interview, and help you n CRNA school. I am a first year CRNA student and have a classmate who did what you are trying to do--he did the accelerated BSN.

Beedog

[loveanesthesia]

Would it be better to get a Bachelor's in Respiratory or the other option I have, which is in Allied Health Science?

Look at the accelerated BSN programs you could go to, and ask them which BS would be better. The RT experience is not nursing experience, but it is good experience. Some of the more selective anethesia programs won't take an RN with 1 year experience, but may consider you after 1 year of nursing experience.