Question! I'm looking to advance in the nursing career but..

[lawlammy]

Hello everyone. I discovered this site about a year ago, and I just decided to join. :) Hope everyone's doing great!

Anyway, I am wondering if it is "okay" for me to earn my ADN in Nursing and obtain my RN license and begin my 1-2 years in ICU or if it would be better for me to just throw all energy into school, get my BSN in Nursing, and start up on my experience as an RN AFTER schooling so that I can apply to the Anesthetic program. ( I am going to attempt to apply to the one at Columbia University)

Finances and other factors like time have led me to contemplate many different choices, and I've narrowed it down to these two. If anyone has any other suggestions to becoming a CRNA, please let me know. I think to myself, and tell me if I'm wrong, "If I get my ICU experience out of the way while attending school it's less I have to do later.." But judging from other posts, it doesn't seem that way. Ultimately it is my decision, but I would like some input.

Thanks alot.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

If it is an option ... get the BSN.

However, until you get some exposure to the OR environment and the critical care environment ... I think it's way premature to be considering the MSN in nurse anesthesia.

The second paragraph of your post is difficult to interpret ... but I just want to make sure you understand that you will need a minimum of one solid year of experience working as an RN in a high acuity ICU to be a competitive applicant for anesthesia school.

[lawlammy]

yeah, that's understood. I contacted the school, read up on all that I could. I just wanted a second opinion.

How is the second paragraph difficult to interpret?

[nursingschool*]

To my knowledge, you're not only going to need a a solid year of RN experience but you're going to need a BSN to get into any CRNA program. So if you do the ADN route first, you're going to have to do an ADN-BSN bridge program before you apply to grad school. So, if I understand correctly, I'd think you were better off going straight for your BSN. Money and time are a factor that you'll have to consider on your own but, personally, I'd take the most direct route. Well, in fact, I did - I just started a BSN program after 3 semesters of pre-reqs and weighing the same factors you are. I have no doubts I made the right decision.

[lawlammy]

Yeah...I do know I need my BSN to get into CRNA school. It's just a matter of getting my requirements for the program sooner (Working as an RN while STILL going for my BSN) or getting my BSN, and then working. either way, all has to be done before i even THINK of enrolling.

and nursingschoolat38, good luck to you.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I would say go for the BSN. I don't know of too many places that would hire an ADN RN into a new-grad ICU position these days.