Pre-reqs for CRNA/ACNP

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Hi All,

I have been a RN in a SICU for going on 2 years now. I really want to further my education and go into either a acute care nurse practitioner role or a certified registered nurse practitioner role. I already have done the research for the requirements (1 year icu experience, 3.0 GPA with BSN in nursing, GRE, etc.). My question is two-fold:

1. Would people recommend just getting the core classes out of the way (like advanced patho, research, and pharm) for these specialties and then apply.

2. Does anybody have any arguments that could help me sway my decision. Working in the SICU really lets me see into the ACNP's job role and the pros they have are autonomy and variety in their job. CRNAs obviously make the big bucks comparitively and now with the push for NPs to get their doctoral degree in nursing practice in order to be certified, it's just about more schooling for that than for CRNAs. Any advice? Thanks guys

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

I'm an ACNP graduate working as a Critical Care NP.

1. I wouldn't take the core classes you mentioned (Advanced Patho, Research, Advanced Pharm) unless you've already committed yourself to one path over the other. NP tracks do share many common core courses which are the ones you mentioned. However, anesthesia programs do not have the same core courses seen in NP programs so they are going to be a waste of money on your part if you decide to pursue CRNA.

2. I'll let you decide between ACNP and CRNA on your own. I would say though that you shouldn't let the DNP issue affect your decision. The DNP timeline (2015) is still just a recommendation at this point. While there are schools that have already phased out their MS programs for DNP, there are still a considerable number of reputable ACNP programs offered at the MS level and I don't see that changing in the next year or so (or at least, the schools I am referring to have not announced a plan to change degrees).

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Specializes in Cardiac, Pulmonary, Anesthesia.

1) wouldn't take those unless you are either committed to NP or wanting to look good for CRNA school. You can definitely take stats and research which almost always transfers.

2) CRNA is more schooling than NP and pretty expensive since it is more credit hours (my school is 80 credit hours vs. 50 for my old MSN NP program). You need to shadow before you make that decision. I agree with Juan that you shouldn't let the DNP really factor into the equation.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Hi All,

I have been a RN in a SICU for going on 2 years now. I really want to further my education and go into either a acute care nurse practitioner role or a certified registered nurse practitioner role. I already have done the research for the requirements (1 year icu experience, 3.0 GPA with BSN in nursing, GRE, etc.). My question is two-fold:

1. Would people recommend just getting the core classes out of the way (like advanced patho, research, and pharm) for these specialties and then apply.

2. Does anybody have any arguments that could help me sway my decision. Working in the SICU really lets me see into the ACNP's job role and the pros they have are autonomy and variety in their job. CRNAs obviously make the big bucks comparitively and now with the push for NPs to get their doctoral degree in nursing practice in order to be certified, it's just about more schooling for that than for CRNAs. Any advice? Thanks guys

1. I recommend taking some graduate classes in order to show that you are capable of graduate level work since your GPA is little low. Also, depending if you decide to goto a nurse anesthesia program that is part of school of nursing a lot of times some of those courses will transfer.

2. Try to shadow both professions as much as possible to see which one you like best. Both CRNAs and NPs are moving towards DNP so I wouldn't let the sway you one way or the other.

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