rritter.rn

It is very difficult to find jobs in all areas of nursing right now (though may vary depending what area you live in). If you plan to do ADN then work for a couple of years, then go to critical care, you can probably do that. However, if you're trying to go straight from school to critical care, you'll almost certainly need a BSN, at least here in the Northeast where I live/work. As far as CRNA admissions related to BSN or BS + ADN, it will depend. I imagine it will limit your choices considerably. Your chances at the schools that accept it will depend largely on the pool of applicants they have to choose from at that moment, a pool that will vary from year to year, making it impossible to predict. BSNs generally seem to be preferred (in the workplace--I'm not familiar with graduate admissions) to ADNs, even if the ADN has another BS or BA, because it's more applicable to our specific field. My advice would be to try to work and do your BSN if at all possible. Can you do your BSN a bit slower so that you can still maintain your income? If you have your prereqs done and you already have a BS, you'll only need two years of school for either an ADN or BSN, so why not just do the BSN? Tell us more about why you would be able to work during your ASN but not your BSN and perhaps we can offer a bit more advice... The other option is to get your ADN because it's right for you and your family in the present moment. Then you'll graduate more quickly and you can find a job as an RN, which allows you great income and flexibility while you consider and pursue your other options. You may fall in love with another aspect of nursing in the meantime or you may still want to pursue a career as a nurse anesthetist, but you will have created a viable financial situation for yourself in the meantime.

I've been accepted to Northeastern and Boston College and am looking for experienced CRNAs advice on which to choose, especially if you've attended either one. Boston College: Pros: starts January 2011 26 months long front loaded clinical sites closer to where I live but they move you around from site to site a lot Cons: No DNP program, only PhD Northeastern: Pros: DNP classes rolled into CRNA program only takes one year after CRNA to get DNP, which is online with two Saturday classes/month on campus been around for 50 years Cons: starts Sept 2011 (but can start taking classes while working now) 32 months long, which they claim makes it so that you can work (not sure if I'd rather just get it over with) many clinical sites are further away (only one is within 30 minutes or so) NEU keeps you at one clinical site but moves you around between the specialties, BC moves your clinical site, I'd love to hear perspectives of pros and cons of both. BC is closely affiliated with AAM. Any thoughts? Price is fairly similar. I would like to get a DNP eventually for a few reasons. 1. I enjoy EBP and research but also clinical 2. I've always thought I might want my doctorate, but not just to be in academia 3. it seems to be the way the industry is going and I'd like to stay competitive even though I'll likely be grandfathered in. Many thanks for any and all input--

I feel your frustration, but what you're saying is unusual compared with what many experienced nurses see... Let me give you an example... I had three nurse-wanna-bes approach me this summer, asking questions about the path to becoming a CRNA. These three individuals had not even started nursing school yet, but intended to begin in September. How do they truly know they want to be a CRNA? They don't even know if they like nursing yet. They may dream of it, think they'll like it, but it's hard to say for sure. As you get older, you realize that life is full of surprises and it is hardly ever what you expect. In contrast, one of my staff is a motivated young man who is a senior in a BSN program this year. He has been working as a nursing assistant for two years now and is familiar with the ins and outs of critical care. He is a sponge for knowledge and goes far beyond his school requirements. He constantly asks me for additional reading, online tutorials, and journal articles. This is a kid who likes to be challenged! He is considering a number of different paths, including CRNA, but is working hard while learning what paths feels right for him. I've been quite supportive of him and have connected him to a CRNA (in addition to other APRNs) so that he can shadow and get a better feel for things. It's great to have dreams and we all totally support that. However, the people on this forum are responding to the onslaught of people who read that CRNA's make lots of money. For example, when I asked the 3 people during the summer, they ALL mentioned an article about CRNA income that was featured on Yahoo.com last year. On a personal note, I thought I wanted to be a doctor when I was younger. I attended an ADN program, then applied for pre-med. When I started working in a hospital and I saw what it was actually like to be an MD, I decided it was not for me. I had the youthful fervor that is common to all of us, though--if you had told me that I'd feel that way a few years prior, I would have denied it and become angry with you. "How dare you tell me what I want?!" I would have thought to myself indignantly. I worked on a med-surg floor for a couple of years, then progressed to an ICU. Initially I detested the ICU and missed talking to my patients. I grew to love it, though, and subsequently became the Assistant Nurse Manager and then the Educator of a critical care area. Through these experiences, I realized that CRNA would be a rewarding career choice for me. I've been accepted at two schools but haven't begun classes yet. Time has taught me that I may begin and discover that being a CRNA isn't the best thing for me--and if that happens, I'll be open to the possibilities. Age has taught me to be flexible--you never know what life will bring your way... and that, I think, is the sage advice and perspective offered by the voices in this forum. Take everyone's advice for what it's worth, with a grain of salt perhaps, and follow your heart. You sound like an incredibly motivated, passionate person, and whether you end up a CRNA or not, your life will be rewarding and full and just right for you.

I agree with Chare. I had the same issue this summer, and ultimately decided to take the AHA course (PALS) because it is the most common and the one that's generally expected. Others may be acceptable, though, so I would echo Chare and say that you should ask the programs you're applying to.

Are you in school for an ADN or a BSN? If you're in school for an ADN, your grade will likely not matter. When you have an ADN, then continue to a BSN, they "count" your credits toward your BSN but do not include your GPA. If you're in a BSN program, that's a different story. CRNA programs are quite competitive, but if you're willing to be flexible with relocation you'll increase your chances. Keep up the awesome work with your grades and keep and your mind open to a multitude of options. You may find that your interests change as your practice begins...