Please Help Me Figure Out My Next Step

Nurses General Nursing

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Hello Lovely People,

Please help me figure out the best step to take towards my nursing career. I am 23 years old and I will be graduating with my master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in May, but I want to be a nurse. I have recently completed my Nursing Assistant course at a technical college in the area to gain healthcare experience before I move forward with my nursing career.

Here's The Issue:

I'm struggling with the decision to apply to Accelerated BSN programs or Entry MSN programs. Since I already have a Master's degree, and since I know that my ultimate goal is to be a CRNA, what would be the best route for me to take?

I know that there have been similar threads on this topic, but any suggestions would help me. Thank you.

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I am still a PN student, but I have seen similar questions answered. I have heard that some places want the BSN even if you have the Master's. I am not interested in CRNA so I haven't researched it, but they might have BS

N as a requirement as well. Nursing sure is obsessed with the "BSN". LOL

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Thanks so much! That actually helped a lot. :-)

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I would go for the ABSN if your ultimate goal is to be a CRNA. There aren't any direct entry CRNA programs (except maybe Columbia, but they still require 1 year of experience on the ICU floor?). Otherwise, if you went the ELM's route then you'd probably become a CNL and from what I hear (from this forum and friends) hospitals are slow to hire them. Also, you'd be in school way longer with little job prospect in the ICU.

If you're succesful, you will sure have a lot of letters after your name :) Bachelors, MEd, BSN, MSN and I'm sure you might want to add PhD to that alphabet soup ! good luck

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Thanks a lot! :-) I appreciate your help.

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Maybe you should check with CRNA schools.

Good luck.

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I would go for the ABSN if your ultimate goal is to be a CRNA. There aren't any direct entry CRNA programs (except maybe Columbia, but they still require 1 year of experience on the ICU floor?). Otherwise, if you went the ELM's route then you'd probably become a CNL and from what I hear (from this forum and friends) hospitals are slow to hire them. Also, you'd be in school way longer with little job prospect in the ICU.

If you're succesful, you will sure have a lot of letters after your name :) Bachelors, MEd, BSN, MSN and I'm sure you might want to add PhD to that alphabet soup ! good luck

Dummy me - can you tell me what all these initials stand for? CNL? ELM? Thanks.

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Oh wow I'm glad I read this. I'm a new student as well. I just got accepted to an accelerated BSN program and am still waiting to hear from an entry level masters program, which is my first choice. My career goal is also CRNA. I didn't know BSN was preferred. If I get into both I'll ask this same question on the CRNA thread.

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CNL is clinical nurse leader (I think) and ELM is entry level masters.

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ELM = Entry Level Master's

CNL - Clinical Nurse Leader

CRNA - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

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I suggest the BSN. The real question isn't what the CRNA programs prefer. The real question is what you will need to get a job on a critical care floor, which is the first requirement for CRNA school. Most CRNA schools require at least 1 year of ICU RN experience before you can even apply. Critical care jobs are highly sought after and tough to get. Most employers will consider you more with a BSN versus going straight for your Masters.

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That makes a lot of sense in a way, but way would a master's degree be looked at as "less than" a BSN? Especially if with either program the end result is a RN license?

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