Please advise, CNL or CNS

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I'm accepted into Entry level MSN CSU Long Beach and CSU Dominguez Hills. I don't know which school I should choose so seeking for your advive.

CSULB is 3 year long, first 16 months prepare for board exam & award BS degree, then the rest 18 months prepare for working in adult acute care setting and award MS degree.

CSUDH is 20 month long, award MS degree with clinical nurse leader role. This is the first class of entry level so they don't have NCLEX passing rate yet.

My career goal is CRNA. My characteristics are not suitable for leadership and English is not my first language. CSUDH program is shorter than CSULB's, but CSULB program is well established and I can choose to drop out of the program once I get BS degree after the first 16 months.

Later when I apply for CRNA, will the MS degree at CSUDH get more points for admission decision compared to BS degree at CSULB? If I choose CSULB, should I keep going toward the end to get MS degree, or BS degree is enough for CRNA application?

Please give me your opinions.

Thank you very much

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

Just wondering why you prefer to pursue an entry level Master's instead of an accelerated 2nd degree BSN since your goal is to pursue the CRNA route. I am not sure if a Master's degree in nursing can help you get into CRNA school. What I am aware of from the many BSN nurses I have known throughout my career who were admitted to CRNA school is that most had excellent undegrad GPA's (from their BSN), competitive GRE scores, and strong ICU experience in a tertiary hospital where they were exposed to hemodynamic monitoring, surgical cases and traumas.

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The entry level MSN is easier to get in since less applicants. From your point, I guess getting BSN at CSULB for 16 months is better. Thank you for your reply.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

I think the shorter it takes to get to the point where you can take the NCLEX and start working as a nurse will make the difference. You have to remember that CRNA schools put a lot of premium on that critical care experience as an RN. As a new grad, you will have to find places that will hire you in to an ICU setting straight out of school or start your way from a non-ICU unit and then transfer to an ICU later.

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Specializes in SRNA.

I would recommend checking out the CRNA and Pre-CRNA Forums on this site and you can also review the different requirements for CRNA programs by going to the AANA site (see below) and finding the links to the individual programs. I've found that most programs require a BSN rather than an MSN.

http://webapps.aana.com/AccreditedPrograms/accreditedprograms.asp?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=222&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=5&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=223&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=5&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6

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