MissMaster

Thank you for the responses. I spoke with one of the guidance counselors in the nursing department of my college today (and finally got some answers from someone working there). I think I have a better understanding of what I need to do. Thanks again for your time =]

1. AA in Nursing to become a CRNA? 2. GPA standards? 3. Any way around volunteer hours at the hospital? 4. CRNA or Anesthesiologist? 5. Qualifications to becoming a CRNA? I'm sorry if I am asking questions that have been previously covered. I'm new here and I just have a few questions about anesthesiology. My mother and oldest brother are both nurses and I've always known growing up that I would want to follow in the same field. I'm almost 22, currently at a community college in Florida, and almost finished with my prerequisites for an AA in Nursing. My GPA (3.66) could be better, but it's not bad. I feel that my prerequisites are taking so long, because I am also in the honors program at my college and they require an honors course every semester (whether it helps toward your degree or not). I'm sorry for the novel, but I wanted to give just a little bit of background. My first question is basically this: Is going for an AA in Nursing the right degree to start with for a career as a CRNA? I was hoping to transfer to a University (UCF or possibly UF, if financial aid allows it). My community college has a nursing program, but all I hear is how hard it is to get in to. I worry that my 3.66 GPA will not be enough to put me in the first priorities. Could anyone provide me with a realistic GPA standard for the nursing programs? And do degrees from Universities look better on transcripts than from 4-year community colleges, or is it about the same? Another issue that I am concerned with is that I do not have any volunteering hours at the hospital. Several others that I know who are trying to get into the nursing program are having trouble getting volunteer hours, because they currently have so many volunteers at my local hospitals. I know that this is a huge requirement, but is there possibly a way around it? I do volunteer in general, but I have not had the opportunity to help out at the hospital yet. I also hear that if you do get to volunteer at the hospital, it has to be around a schedule that they give you (which, currently, would most likely conflict with my school hours and I do not have a flexible babysitter for my daughter). Other than those main questions, I would like to know if anyone in the field of anesthesiology would be kind enough to lend me a few suggestions and/or thoughts about their career. What is the most rewarding part of your job? Do you prefer CRNA or Anesthesiologist? What do you think would make a person most qualified for this career choice? Any comments pertaining to anesthesiology would be much appreciated!