Part time CRNA school for Police officer

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Hello, I am currently 26 years old and a Police officer, however I have for quite some time wanted to do CRNA or med school for anesthesia. Earlier in my college career I dedicated a lot of time to becoming a police officer, receiving a bachelors in criminal justice and masters degree in administration. I was close to giving up on my dream of becoming a police officer when I was finally hired a few months prior to now. However, this part of me still wants to be an anesthesiologist. So I thought maybe it could be possible to still become a CRNA. I do realize the career of a police officer requires a 4 day a week schedule, so I was thinking about possibly getting a career as a fireman. This would allow me to work 2 days a week or 8 days a month total. I have all the pre-requesites for nursing school done and could do a part time program for a BSN. If I did that would a part time CRNA program be possible. Does anyone have dual careers as a CRNA?

Specializes in ICU.

How many years until you could consider retirement as a Police Officer? My cousin is a paramedic and firefighter. She has been doing it since she was 18 and should be eligible for retirement very soon and then is going to go to nursing school to become a RN. You could do the prereqs part time, but any program for RN once you get in is full time. You will have classes and clinical time. Plus, if you do your prereqs part time, you are looking at longer than 2 years. I'm sure in criminal justice you have a few of the general ed prereqs done, but you will have the hard sciences to do and I'm sure some kind of math. Not sure if you have done any upper level psych classes also. Usually with a BSN you will need a nutrition class and some kind of lifespan development class.

With your masters in criminal justice you can do a lot of things with that. After a few years on the dept you should be able to be a detective and eventually a police chief. There is also swat and things like drug task force. I can even see with your masters maybe FBI. Are these things you are not wanting to do anymore? Are you a person who likes the adrenaline of patrol work and as many officers say catch the bad guy? I don't mean to be nosy, I just look at all the things you can do. You just got started in this career. Personally, I think you need to give it a chance for a little bit. I know it's hard to get hired and once you do and get some seniority, you should be golden with your education.

I don't see it being possible to stay an officer and pursue CRNA. You guys never know when you are getting off work. You guys often stay over to finish paperwork and a stand off with some yahoo can take hours. When you get to a nursing school program, you cannot miss lecture or clinical hours. You must have a certain amount of clinical hours to sit for the NCLEX. The program itself is very hard especially going up to CRNA. Financial aid is going to be minimal, if any due to your previous degrees. The cost will be expensive and you will need to figure out how to pay for it.

Let me end this by saying I have the utmost respect for the job you do. I have many friends who are police officers and what is going on right now with constant threats against you guys for wearing the uniform and protecting us, breaks my heart. You guys are paid very little for what you do, and you go out and put your life on the line every day. I support you guys 100%. You guys and women are my heroes. I appreciate you and thank you for what you do.

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Well a bit of personal background about me, I was diagnosed with a serious medical issue when I was in middle school, it was resolved after two years and a surgery. Ever since then I have wanted to do something in the field and realm of medical care, mainly anesthesiology or radiology, since a doctor is not even remotely possible for me given expense, time, money, and responsibilities I have, I decided the next best thing would be a CRNA. I have always wanted to be a cop since I was little, yes I enjoy the adrenaline rush, and I do enjoy the aspect of helping others as I was a bit of a trouble making child in life.

I understand CRNA would be a difficult path and a tough option regardless of working. That is why I was trying to find a part time option if it was possible. However I like to challenge myself and I'm just torn between the two careers I always wanted. I was a bit of a rebellious teen/young adult and unfortunately did not keep up on my studies younger and was not planning my future, which is why I took the easier path of CJ instead. Now that I am older and wiser I wanted to do the CRNA. It is ridiculously competitive to become a police officer in NJ without being someone's son. I am actually done with almost all my pre reqs including the major sciences and have a large psych background so all my psychology requirements are complete. I also completed mathematics as well. I was ready to apply to nursing school this year when I finally got hired as a police officer after 3 and a half years of number 1 test and physical training scores. Of course after all my hard work I couldn't say no to the offer, though it was hard. I feel as if I'm being pulled two ways.

Yes it is possible that I could do it when I retire and thanks to our governor I will now be eligible for retirement at 51 instead of 46. So I guess it's possible to do it then I just don't know how I'll feel at that age. I'd rather get things done now when I'm young. I completed my masters degree while working full time and two part time jobs. I am motivated and if it is possible time wise I believe I could do it no matter how hard, but I'm just not sure it's possible.

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Well I do have an interest in those things however I hAve had two callings. I know I don't want to spend my entire life in law enforcement only, I want to do more. The pre reqs have been pretty simple to me so far, I've been doing them while I was working full time and almost have all needed. I met with the director of a nursing school because my plan was to attend this upcoming may. She told me I'd have no problem getting in and they offer a part time weekend night programs for people who already have careers. This would be ideal however like you said I doubt it possibly being an officer and doing it which is why I though maybe with a fireman schedule it would be possible. Thank you for your appreciation it is a hard time for all now emt/fire/police. There are always threats everywhere, but it feels good to protect my fellow citizens.

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Specializes in Trauma, Orthopedics.
Well a bit of personal background about me, I was diagnosed with a serious medical issue when I was in middle school, it was resolved after two years and a surgery. Ever since then I have wanted to do something in the field and realm of medical care, mainly anesthesiology or radiology, since a doctor is not even remotely possible for me given expense, time, money, and responsibilities I have, I decided the next best thing would be a CRNA. I have always wanted to be a cop since I was little, yes I enjoy the adrenaline rush, and I do enjoy the aspect of helping others as I was a bit of a trouble making child in life.

I understand CRNA would be a difficult path and a tough option regardless of working. That is why I was trying to find a part time option if it was possible. However I like to challenge myself and I'm just torn between the two careers I always wanted. I was a bit of a rebellious teen/young adult and unfortunately did not keep up on my studies younger and was not planning my future, which is why I took the easier path of CJ instead. Now that I am older and wiser I wanted to do the CRNA. It is ridiculously competitive to become a police officer in NJ without being someone's son. I am actually done with almost all my pre reqs including the major sciences and have a large psych background so all my psychology requirements are complete. I also completed mathematics as well. I was ready to apply to nursing school this year when I finally got hired as a police officer after 3 and a half years of number 1 test and physical training scores. Of course after all my hard work I couldn't say no to the offer, though it was hard. I feel as if I'm being pulled two ways.

Yes it is possible that I could do it when I retire and thanks to our governor I will now be eligible for retirement at 51 instead of 46. So I guess it's possible to do it then I just don't know how I'll feel at that age. I'd rather get things done now when I'm young. I completed my masters degree while working full time and two part time jobs. I am motivated and if it is possible time wise I believe I could do it no matter how hard, but I'm just not sure it's possible.

Between getting your BSN, working full time as an RN, and CRNA school, you will likely spend the same amount of time working towards becoming a CRNA as you would going through med school/residency. Many CRNA programs also cost upwards of $100k (on top of the cost of your BSN program), so the cost you're worried about is there. If you do your research, you'll find on here that many SRNAs are consumed with school and are unable to fulfill many other responsibilities other than studies and clinical. The responsibility on you for those 2-3 years can be comparable to the intensity of med school.

You will not be able to work. You won't be able to go part time the entire way through school. Some programs, such as Drexel and Penn, may allow you to start some of the basic classes before your cohort officially starts, but that's it.

If you don't want to fully commit to this career and this career alone, it probably won't work out for you.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

How do you plan on switching over to be a fireman so easily? I'm asking because I have friends that test and have been on lists at multiple fire stations throughout the Chicago suburbs, the same way you waited so long to get on the police department. If you're considering switching to fire, would you consider another job? You'd be able to work during nursing school, but you'd have to work at LEAST 1-2 years full time in an ICU before you can apply to CRNA school. You might be able to work during your first semester rof CRNA school, but all of my classmates are working part time. I'm cutting back to 0.3 one week and 0.6 the second week of the pay period so I can focus on school work.

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To be brutally honest with you - I worked part time (1 day per week) as a nurse while attempting CRNA school. That lasted for 2 weeks. I had to quit because I couldn't keep up with the large amount of reading and study time that I needed in order to keep up with classes and understand the material well. Grad school was by far the most difficult and rewarding experience of my

life. It is a large commitment, just make sure that you can dedicate the time you need in order to succeed.

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Specializes in Behavioral Health.

Me and you are in the same boat. I've been a cop for 5 years and I'm getting out of law enforcement next August (16) to go to nursing school. I'm in the Guard now and I plan on going Active Duty. I've found that Active Duty is better than the Guard. The pay is better (obviously) than the Guard but it's also better than any civilian job of the same salary because a portion of your pay is non-taxable. For example I think I make 1200 every two weeks base pay as a E-5 (when I'm on Active Duty) however I make $2,000 every two weeks because the allowances I get are not taxable.

You actually sound like me approximately six months ago. If you look into my Activity you'll see that I asked a similar question. I ultimately decided that it was better for me to devote myself to my new craft instead of trying to master two different ones. Anyway, you'd still be POST certified so you can always go back into law enforcement or work part-time while going to school.

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Yes I understand that, however I was assuming it possible I could work. I just wouldn't be able to do it without an income and that's why I considered med school not an option its twice as long and more expensive and I have no chance to work. However it seems I don't have the ability to work even as a fireman with a two day a week schedule. Maybe I'll just have to wait til I retire.

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Well here in nj the police and fire department are in the sAme pension system. So once your in one it is much easier to switch to the other job. I am in a civil service town that plans on hiring a lot and many residents of the community just don't want to be fireman and I test very well so I'm sure it will be an option soon. Well the thing is a fire schedule would be better than any other job it's 8 days a month. And the pay is great too. So not sure what else I would do.

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So Your going Active duty national guard? Is the guard going to send you to CRNA school? Just curious how does that work out? And well my cert would only be good for 3 years after quitting if I did.

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University of Detroit has a Part Time program....I think it is 3 years instead of the 2. I'm sure other universities have this as well. Look around if UofD has one I'm sure others do too. I plan on eventually becoming a CRNA, and applying all over as I live in Michigan and there are only 4 schools with the program and only take 15-20 students a year. At least this is my understanding from the research I have done. Look around at all different schools, but know your grades and performance must be stellar, all of the schooling is hard for nursing in general. You have to really want it and know that it's your life for the duration...

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So Your going Active duty national guard? Is the guard going to send you to CRNA school? Just curious how does that work out? And well my cert would only be good for 3 years after quitting if I did.

So I'm just curious even though it's 3 years later. What choice did you finally end up making? I ask because I am in the same boat

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