NP to CRNA

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Specializes in Med-Surg /Cardiac Step-Down/CICU/CTICU.

Hello Everyone,

I previously posted this in the Pre-CRNA forum and thought it would be better use to me here...sorry !

I was wondering if there are any NP's who are going back to CRNA school or who have. I've been a nurse 5 years now. Started out in med/surg 2 yrs and then cardiac stepdown 2 years Currently I am in an Adult NP program, but CRNA has always been my dream career. I just started in a cardiac ICU in jan, and by the time i graduate with my NP in 2012, I will have 2 1/2 years of ICU experience. I do need a college chemistry and the GRE and plan to take the CCRN when I earn enough hours. I was wondering if anyone has any advice for me. Do CRNA programs look down at you because of the NP, or is it something that will help me? Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks!

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Education.

Why are you even bothering with the NP program if you'd rather be a CRNA?

Why spend the time and money just to turn around and leave it?

It's not like you can work as a NP while in school for your CRNA. It's too hard

and time consuming to work, and most programs will not allow it.

My advice is simply do your time in the ICU and wait your turn to apply to CRNA school.

All you're doing now is taking up a seat that someone else who really wants to be an Np could have.

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Specializes in Med-Surg /Cardiac Step-Down/CICU/CTICU.

well to answer your question

1st don't get snobby with me because I love learning and I love education, those seeds were planted a long time ago since my mom was a teacher-who's now resting in heaven :redbeathe

2nd who says that I didn't want to be an NP, obviously I wouldn't be as you said "taking up a seat" in the program if it wasn't something I could see myself doing. You don't know me and don't know my future, I have to have many roads to go down and can have as many choices as I want. As a nurse and as a woman, I can wear as many hats as I choose !

So I wasn't asking for people who were NOT supportive to reply for whatever personal reasons they have, I was asking for NP's first and foremost who saw it as an advantage or disadvantage for them IF ...any of them have gone back to school for CRNA. Not saying that I will and not saying that I won't but my options are limitless and your life and career are what you make of it. So don't try to put me down. I love advanced practice nursing. I continue to learn everyday at work and in school and that will only shape me and mold me into a better person and nurse.

That's the best thing about nursing. If you try something and it's not for you you can continue on to do something else in another specialty....so many roles in one profession. I strongly advocate for nursing and nurses ! I don't put them down for asking questions and having goals and dreams and their accomplishments....just my thoughts about your post...thanks anyways...

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Specializes in ED, Cardiac Medicine, Retail Health.

NYRN05, I had the same question as jlcole45 after reading your post. Do you feel as if you are adding steps to the process? If you want to be a CRNA, then why dedicate the time and financial resources to becoming an NP when you really want to be a CRNA? I do agree that education is never a waste of time, but if your ultimate goal is anesthesia, you may be adding years, and undo stress to the journey.

On the flip side I do applaud your desire for education and advancing your nursing practice. And yes as a nurse the career options can be limitless.

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Specializes in Med-Surg /Cardiac Step-Down/CICU/CTICU.

gerry,

i am not sure if i will really do nurse anesthesia....it's just a thought. i would like to but it may or may not happen depending on what i make priority in my life when i complete NP school. i could continue on or i could try to start a family and wait several, several years until i decide to go back. anyways, maybe i worded the post wrong, but i am just thinking about it in the distant future, and was wondering if anyone was or has been in a similar situation. i will most def work as a NP, i wouldn't put the time and money and all my efforts and sometimes frustration into something that i wouldn't use, now that would be the high road traveled and a big waste of time. thanks for your support !

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

Just a quick question - how did you get admitted to an NP program without a college chemistry course?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

NYRN05 its clear that you are passionate about learning and education and that's great. I will say however that you seem a little unsure about what the next step in your nursing career should be and that's ok because it takes time to figure that stuff out. I am curious if you have gotten the chance to shadow a CRNA and a NP because doing so might help you to decided which specialty is for you. I have never heard of a CRNA program looking down on an applicant because they were an NP but then again I really don't think many NPs apply to be CRNAs usually because NPs and CRNAs are both considered advanced practice nurses and to go from being an NP to a CRNA would be a lateral move (sure you'd probably earn more money but its still considered a lateral move). I think its kind of like going to school to become a Family NP and then going back to school to become a Cardiac PA when you really wanted to become a Cardiac PA from the beginning. I know its not exactly an accurate comparison but its pretty close.

!Chris :specs:

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Just a quick question - how did you get admitted to an NP program without a college chemistry course?

I graduated for the SLU NP program in January and just passed the state boards. I have never taken a college chemistry course. My RN program didn't require it and obviously my NP program didn't either.

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Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

NYRN05, sounds like your sponge for education which is great. However, I have heard that some CRNA programs offer both FNP and CRNA together. Is it possible that you look for one of those programs? You can always learn through continuing education. However, I would agree with Gerry that you may be adding steps to the process.

Are you using your ANP as a gateway to CRNA? Or are you just going with ANP for now because you like it and you got into the program?

I suggest talking to the admission committee/chair at a possible CRNA school and ask them how they feel about your profile. Depending on how much time in between after the completion of your Masters/ANP they may not look at your ICU experience??? Have you shadowed some CRNAs?

Just my thoughts.....curious about if anyone has done what you are asking about.

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.
I graduated for the SLU NP program in January and just passed the state boards. I have never taken a college chemistry course. My RN program didn't require it and obviously my NP program didn't either.

Wow, I'm just really surprised by this! We had to take Gen. Chem I & II for my BSN program and it definitely did help to lay a foundation for pharm (both at the BSN and MSN level) and patho. It amazes me how programs can vary so much in what is required. Not knocking anybody here, but just really surprised.

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Specializes in Emergency, Cardiac, PAT/SPU, Urgent Care.

Also, to the OP, if you do choose to continue your NP program and finish, you can apply for a post-master's certificate for a CRNA program. If you go that route, some grad schools don't require the GREs since you would already have an MSN (you would have to check the individual program requirements) and I'm sure you could transfer some credits into the program for some courses (like research, possibly patho, etc.).

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Specializes in Med-Surg /Cardiac Step-Down/CICU/CTICU.

well yes i did take a general college chem, but not what is required by the schools that i have looked into. so in regards to that i would need more chem or bio. yes i got into a program and i do plan to continue it and finish. yes i know that there is a post-masters if i choose to continue on. thanks! i see this has caused quite a stir amongst the people.

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