Question regarding age of graduation

[RileyK]

I have a question regarding the average age of starting Crnas. I'm currently 19, and after having finished my nursing prereqs, I will be starting my nursing program on Monday. I am currently in an ADN program which will conclude in two years, and I plan on attempting to get a job in an ICU right after graduation, while achieving my BSN online. I want to do this to knock the year of ICU experience, so I can apply to grad school immediately after achieving my BSN which I'm assuming will take roughly a year. That would put me at 22. If I got accepted as a Srna in a program which averaged 28 months to graduate, j would begin practicing at 24.

My question to you is is this a typical pathway regarding age of entering practice, and if you all have any tips regarding the process as a whole.

Thank you!

[loveanesthesia]

I would plan on at least 2-3 years ICU experience and to obtain your BSN, otherwise it is a workable plan. Don't skimp on the ICU experience, and you may not be able to get an ICU position as a new ADN grad, depends on your local situation. Remember to allow at least a few months post ADN graduation to pass boards and begin your position as well. Very few CRNAs begin practice at 24.

[I_See_You_RN]

i don't know about states other than NY but a lot/most hospitals here are moving towards not hiring ADN nurses. My hospital which is a part ofa major health system actually has it written into policy. So, depending on what state you are from you might want to rethink becoming an ADN nurse, especially if you are trying to get onto an ICU floor.

This isn't a comment on who's better/equal etc., but it is just a financial loss to hospitals to hire an ADN nurse since they typically earn the same pay as a BSN nurse (or close to it). They just don't want to have to pay for you to go back to school, and posssibly have to cater to your schedule. Why bother when there are tons of BSN nursing wanting jobs who will take the same pay. Just something to think about....