Nursing or MD/DO for Anesthesia

[nurseordoc]

Hello,

If some of you great nurses could give me some feedback on how you came to your decision on nursing as a career if faced with which route to take (physician or nurse).

I am at a crossroads at this point.

I have been accepted to an MD Caribbean medical school that I may attend this fall and then hopefully attend residency for Anesthesiology. However, I really want to specialize in Anesthesia and I cannot see myself doing anything else.

I know I can work towards becoming a CRNA if I take prereqs, get my BSN, gain experience, then attend CRNA school.

Can I get helpful feedback on what factors I should be considering and if you have any pros or cons with going in either route.

My desire is to practice Anesthesia and I'm open to the different routes of getting there.

[Boomer MS, RN]

I have serious doubts about a Caribbean medical school, so I would say do not go there. If you want to be a CRNA, it will be a difficult and challenging journey but entirely doable. First you will need a BSN. CRNA programs are very competitive; I do not, however, want to discourage you at all. In order to be prepared, schools want applicants to have worked in an ICU before applying to a CRNA program. The best places for ICU experience would be at a major teaching hospital. Requirements for how long in an ICU vary from program to program. The U of Maryland's program for example, awards CRNA graduates with a doctorate (DNP) upon successful completion. I recommend googling programs around the country to have a look at their requirements, as some may be somewhat different. I have friends who become CRNAs and love the role.

Medical school and nursing school are different animals. Good luck with your decisions.

[Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN]

I would check to see if any graduates of the carribean medical school you have been accepted have been matched in anesthesia. Matches favor Us grads and increasingly FMGs do not match. I would try to reapply next admission cycle to US schools.