Doug Cameron

For Gowkout - off topic (slightly): Good to know you are from Florida. What do you think about Gooding in Panama City? Have you heard anything positive/negative? Thanks!

Thought I'd throw in my 2 cents, for what it's worth. Originally, when I decided to pursue admission to a CRNA program, my thinking was that I should have basically the same prerequisites that any pre-med student should have: 2 semesters of general or inorganic chemistry, 2 semesters of organic, 2 semesters of biology, and 2 semesters of physics. So this past summer I took 2 semesters of general chemistry (my original chemistry was at UMass Amherst 25 years ago...needed a little refreshing...)(what a way to spend the summer...yeesh... 1 year of chemistry in 13 weeks. I would not recommend it.) My plan was to take organic in the coming fall and spring semesters. HOWEVER, I'm realizing a few things. If you are applying to an MSN school; one that requires a BSN and delivers and MSN - they usually don't require much chemistry beyond what is taken in nursing school (which often is, unfortunately, not as demanding as the "science major" chem.) I believe I saw Kevin M say somewhere that he was told "we'll teach you all the chemistry you need to know" which is probably true. Schools that deliver a MS of some sort - a non-MS Nursing school - more likely desire the additional chemistry, usually just one semester of organic, or even a biochem. For me, as these are the schools I will most likely be applying to, I will be taking the organic. I think in general, you want to make yourself as competitive as you can. If you are going the non-BSN route, it could not hurt to show the strongest science background you are capable of. Chemistry is a pain in the ...neck...(!) but learning it, I believe, will provide a broader background which will help anyone be a better clinician.. which is, after all, the point... even if the gpa drops slightly. Now, having said all this, keep in mind that I have not yet even applied to schools yet! I'm sure there are people on the board with more experience who have a different perspective. So,.....PV=nRT. Good luck! - Doug

Thanks Brad - I had not even considered Gonzaga. I'll check it out.

Good information, Kevin, thanks. You've all been very encouraging. I smiled when I read about Dr. Chipas and the direction he got to get his BSN first - that's exactly the mindset I run into so often. His story is VERY encouraging. Thanks all, for the great input - Doug

Thanks, bug, I found your posts most helpful; they made much sense. To answer your question, I have been an RN for over 20 years, an ADN with a BA in Classics (go figure) and an MEd. Sooo, looking at schools, I am more inclined to NOT pursue the MSN route, and stick with the MS route. I am a teacher at heart, however, and know whatever circumstances I wind up in, I will be most happy when I can teach - which is one of the reasons I am choosing to go back to CRNA school - great opportunities to teach. Not sure about other parts of the country, but here in New England (especially Boston), nurses can get quite snobby about their profession and the appropriate degrees one should have to be a "professional nurse". Unfortunately, one can have much education (even in the sciences) and experience and still be considered "second-rate" because they do not posess the glorious BSN (or MSN, etc.). Thanks again for the helpful posts.

Also, to Brett - sorry you did not appreciate my post. I certainly did not mean to offend you. However, I must remind you that I posted a very reasonable question, and you called my intelligence into question. Not sure why you did that, but I guess I would have expected a strong response, if I were you. In any event, I'm not interested in flame wars either. If I have offended you, please forgive me.

Folks, guess I'm not making myself clear. Let's try a different tack. Assuming one was an RN currently making plans to attend a CRNA program, who eventually wanted to teach with a tertiary degree, would you advise them to stick with a MSN-granting program, the logical subsequent course being a PhD in Nursing, or would it be reasonable to pursue a non-MSN CRNA program, and subsequently a PhD in one of the sciences or even education? Or, perhaps, does it not matter in the least?

Brett, my dear young friend.... Thanks for your most interesting reply. Perhaps I can make it simpler for you. 1) There is a market shortage for CRNA's (and other anesthesia personnel. Has been for a long time, and will likely be for a long time. Therefore, there is a market for both quality CRNA programs and for those who can instruct in those programs....whether you or I or anyone else wants the number of programs to remain the same. However, that has little to do with my original question... 2) MSX.... X is a variable common to most of the sciences...mathematics, physics, chemistry....and I meant it as a variable as well, ie, a MS in NURSING (that's the MSN part :) ...) or an MS in a physical science (chemistry, biology, nursing anesthesia, etc....). You may remember, there have been a significant number of posts dealing with the issue of whether one should apply to CRNA programs which confer an MSN vs some type of MS or MSNA. My question therefore would be....if one is interested in eventually INSTRUCTING in a program, is one degree more desirable than another? Love to hear from some actual teachers on this one. 3) Most CRNA instructors DO NOT have PhD's. Many do, but far from "most"..... 4) One does NOT need a BSN to enter CRNA school. Many schools DO require a BSN; however there is a significant number who will accept an RN with a science degree. Again, usually, but not always, those conferring an MSN want a BSN; those conferring an MS of another type will accept an RN with a science degree. 5) I'm not trying to knock YOUR intelligence or anything...... but you may want to read the question twice before you answer - it certainly does cut down on the ..... confusion (also good advice for taking the GRE's............... ).

Hi everybody. Don't know as I've seen this topic before, but am interested in knowing your opinions on best educational route to eventually teach or instruct in a CRNA program. I realize at this point there are probably several routes one can take; it would be great for any instructors on the board to weigh in with your opinions. Here's a couple of questions I had (some get back to the MSN vs MSX issue): Does anybody favor a "science" background over a nursing background (BS, MS, PhD in biology, physics, chemistry, etc)? How about an advanced degree in education? Does one even need a BSN? (I realize many, but not all, schools want a BSN for admission to their programs). It would seem as though there is room for more schools of nursing anesthesia, and therefore more opportunities to teach. Thanks for any input you have! - Doug

Thanks for the advice on the "significant other" side of life, Kevin. Well said. I could not even think about doing this were it not for my wife. She is great. I'm thankful for the reminder to let her know how much I appreciate her!