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Hi, I'm Samantha and I'm aspiring to be a CRNA but I'm currently still working on my AAS in Biological Sciences - I'm 20. I plan to finish my associates, obtain a CNA certificate, volunteer at Habit for Humanity, and take the prerequisite courses for the RN program at my current community college. Afterwards, I plan on earning a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing at the University, meanwhile, working in an ICU. Finally, earn a Master's Degree in Nurse Anesthesia.

I'm wondering if this a good plan to commit to. How have you gotten to where you are right now? I would love to hear your journey and any tips/suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!! :)

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Welcome to allnurses.com

Thread moved to SRNA forum for the best response.

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

Welcome to AN. I would say that the biological sciences degree will not help unless some of those classes can be used as prereqs for nursing. The CNA is a great idea as you can work and get experience working with nurses.

Have you considered getting a Associate in Nursing? The BSN is a given. The ICU experience minimum is 2 years but you may be competing with people who have many years more experience. Also, CRNA has adopted the doctorate entry into practice by 2025, the DNAP is the degree you will need. I am not a CRNA so I don't know if this is written in stone or is a recommendation but that's where you are headed.

I started as a 19 y/o LPN, ADN/RN then BSN, then finally MSN/FNP.

Good luck!

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Specializes in ER/Tele, Med-Surg, Faculty, Urgent Care.

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If you are sure that you would like to be a CRNA, I would stop everything and focus on getting a BSN. Take all the pre-reca now and switch your program. The nursing market is very tight and it can be very difficult for a new grad to get a position in the ICU. Often times, people work as a secretary or nurses aide on a med-surg/ER floor while in school to get a foot on the door for a job after graduation.

What at is the job market like in your area? Can you work for the hospital while pursing a BSN? Have you considered getting an EMT license and doing that while

getting a BSN degree? While working for Habitat for Humanity is nice, it really isn't helping you towards your end goal of being a CRNA.

A BSN with an AA should take 2 years, then you might have 1-2 years working in the ER/med-surg before being able to get into an ICU to work, then 2-3 years in the ICU and then 3-4 years CRNA school (it will be longer with the new DNAP program). That in itself is 10 years (being on the short side). If you really want to be a CRNA, everything you do should be targeted towards that end goal. It's too long of a road to go down without being focused and driven.

Feel free to PM me. I would shadow a CRNA (if you haven't already) and contact your local hospital's nursing department to see what their current job openings are like to get you a better idea of what things are like.

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Set your sights on a BSN. So many hospitals are moving towards wanting to become magnet. As a result, their preference is a BSN. My old ICU wouldn't even blink at ADN resumes, no matter how qualified. You're young, if you want to go to crna school, set your sights on that. Which means becoming a nurse and getting into the ICU.

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