makeup_nurse

I am athiest, and because I am dead I wouldn't *care*, but I don't think it is appropriate. I think you can pray silently to yourself of course, but that is more for you than for me (or a patient that has passed).

I came on the forums to nearly ask the same question! I have a BS in Biology (and a MS actually), and want to become a nurse. I am wondering if I could go any nursing school and get my RN--I don't want another Bachelor's degree if I don't need one. My concern is once I become a RN, will I not be eligable for graduate programs (CRNA) since I have only a BS and not a BSN? So I can't answer your question, but am interested in people's response... :)

to Carolina SRNA: I know the difference between a BS and a BSN... What struck me after reading this thread and reading up about AA programs is that AA association really emphasizes that AAs have a BS, they they are "pre-med", that they have "taken all the courses required to get into med school", that they could "apply to med school", etc. Whereas CRNAs have various backgrounds, some BSN, some RN with other BA degrees, etc. I disagree that having a BS (and having taken the pre-med requirements) makes someone more qualified than someone with a BSN. The AA association seems to think it does--sort of a funny thing to dwell on and emphasize over and over again in my opinion. I think it is "six of one, half dozen of the other" sort of situation... I don't think having a pre-med BS or a BSN will make you better or more qualified. AAs and CRNAs learn their profession while in AA school or CRNA school--that is what makes them highly skilled professionals. This thread has been very informative, and I wish both the AAs and CRNAs the best of luck! :)

As someone is is considering becoming a CRNA, I found this thread very interesting! "In the 1960s, three anesthesiologists, Joachim S. Gravenstein, John E. Steinhaus, and Perry P. Volpitto, were concerned with the shortage of anesthesiologists in the country. After studying the educational pathway for anesthesiologists and nurse anesthetists (NAs), they created a new educational paradigm for a mid-level anesthesia practitioner that included a pre-med background in college. This person would perform the same job as the NA but would be readily able to go on to medical school if appropriate. This new professional, the anesthesiologist assistant, or AA, thus had the potential to alleviate the shortage of anesthesiologists." (http://www.asahq.org/career/aa.htm#1) I have an undergraduate degree in Biology from Duke (pre-med), and a MS in Molecular Biology. Why do people think a pre-med BS is much harder or "better" than a BSN? Right now I am looking at entering an accelerated BSN course, and I don't find it easier by any means. Different, but not easier. In fact, pre-med courses are great as a solid science base for medical school, but really have little practical application... The BSN seems to cover more practical applications of science. In my opinion, I think the BSN better prepares you for working in a clinical environment than a BS by many magnitudes! I am not on either side, it is just strange how the literature for AA programs, etc seem to emphasize that AAs "are prepared to go to med school" (paraphrasing) at a moment's notice! To me, that doesn't mean that much, as I know I certainly wasn't prepared for anything after I got my BS degree (pre-med). Now, the actual *training* AA receive in their program, and the *training* CRNAs receive in their program--that is what prepares both CRNAs and AAs for their jobs.