Nursing and then medical school?

Nursing Students SRNA

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So I read online that if I went to school ans got a bachelors in nursing I can apply for Med school and go on my way to becoming a anesthesiologist? (Yes, after I take a couple more science classes)

But is this true? Because I either want to be an anesthetist or an anesthesiologist. But I don't know which one yet. Any suggestions? Either way it'll be eight years before I work with anesthesia.

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Specializes in CMSRN.

I work for a physician who went to nursing school and worked as an RN to put himself through medical school. He became an MD, specialized in anesthesia and worked as an anesthesiologist before specializing further in pain management. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care.

From what I've gathered here on AN (this question seems to come up fairly often), as long as you took the required prereqs - usually additional chemistry, biology, physics and math - and sat for the MCAT you would be eligible to apply to med schools. Whether they look favorably upon admitting nurses is probably going to vary by school, though I would think that having a few years as a practicing RN under your belt would make you a much more attractive candidate than someone who has their BSN but no work experience.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Yes, if you were to get into medical school, make it out, and get matched into a anesthesia residency, you could do it. Med school doesn't care what your degree is in, as long as you have one and the prereqs.

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Why wouldn't you just go to CRNA school if you want to do anesthesia? You're schedule will be a lot more predictable (the ones I work with in the OR work 7am-5pm) and you'll have A LOT less in school loans to pay off..

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Well I don't exactly know which one I would rather be.

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Yeah, you should just go to CRNA school, become a nurse anesthetist and rake in all that $$$$ after only 2 years of your master's degree. Med school route = 2 years of prereqs (unless you did them already), 4 years of med school, 3-4 years of residency in the field of anesthesia.

Unless you want to be in school all your life haha. But then again the med school route would give you double the pay of a CRNA!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Well I don't exactly know which one I would rather be.

I will suggest asking going over to the CRNA forum; ask questions, and see if that would be an option for you....there are posters who have been in the trenches that will give you honest opinions and options in their line of work. :yes:

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I have a family member who is becoming an anesthesiology assistant. He got a 4 year degree and is now in a 2 year master's program. It is like a PA, but your whole concentration is in anesthesiology. Here is a link to schools that offer this degree: Educational Programs.

It is just a suggestion because it requires less school time but you will still make good money.

Good luck!

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Specializes in LAD.

I think that is a great idea, since you are not certain which one you want to be!

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My boyfriend's cousin is in a CRNA program as we speak & he loves it. Here, you need to have 2 years experience in critical care to be able to even apply. He's looking at $135000 starting out.

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Yeah you should just go to CRNA school, become a nurse anesthetist and rake in all that $$$$ after only 2 years of your master's degree. Med school route = 2 years of prereqs (unless you did them already), 4 years of med school, 3-4 years of residency in the field of anesthesia. Unless you want to be in school all your life haha. But then again the med school route would give you double the pay of a CRNA![/quote']

This depends on which state OP is in. As of 2014, it is no longer a Masters program; it's a doctorate.

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