Route to becoming a CRNA

Specialties CRNA

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What route do you guys suggest? My mother, which is a nurse, and I have been told both routes. 2 year, then RN-BSN while working in SICU, then CRNA school, or 4 year BSN then to CRNA school. What would you recomend? I still have one year but it's not far off. Just let me know what you would say and why.

Thanks,

Brett

I agree with Kevin, meandragonbrett, about the BSN. I get so sick of school sometimes I could just scream, so I know if I went ADN (which was my original plan) I would likely get stuck in the working thing and probably decide to just chill and make some money for a while. Also, I have found that there are quite a few classes that most RN-BSN bridge programs "skip" that are usually considered musts or at least looked well upon when applying to CRNA school. I plan on finishing my BSN (still in first year), then working in ICU for a year while taking more sciences courses - any of those that weren't required for my BSN. This way there is no time lost and I make sure I stay on track with my plans and do not get out of the school groove. Oh and Kevin, I know exactly what you are talking about with other classmates - I am constantly called the overachiever by my classmates. They always saying it jokingly, but it does not bother me, I am proud to be the one holding a solid "A" while they are begging the professor for a curve. They tell me to chill because I am messing up their curve, but the funny thing is I have yet to be in a class where the professor gave a curve. These are the people who went to the parties when you stayed home and studied and they chose their path so do not let them get you down. They'll be calling you when its time to study for finals.

Linda

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I personnally am doing the ADN route to CRNA school so that I can get into the work force quicker. I graduate in May 2003, cannot wait. I already have a BS in psychology (includes statistics, organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, etc) and a combined GRE of 1920. My current GPD in the ADN program is 3.78 and my BS was a 3.68. I am my nursing class president and an ANS member. What are some stat of others that have been accepted or are applying to CRNA schools. I do not wish to complete a BSN so hopefully i can find some schools that do not require it and that will except my BS. I have found a couple. Does anyone know of any part time programs out there. The only one I have found is UNC Charlotte. Does anyone know of any programs that will accept NICU experience instead of adult ICU.

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Those stats sound pretty darn good to me. I know a lot of the graduates from CAMC in Charleston, WV are from NC. There is a man in my class now that is from Lumberton, NC. They accept other BS degrees and the minimum GRE is 1350. There are also people who have never worked in an ICU. Some from cath lab, ER, and OR. I think your stats sound good for the requirements of CAMC. The graduates I have talked to are really pleased with their anesthesia education and said they got great experience there.

I think with those grades and GRE, you would really have to botch an interview to not get accepted somewhere.

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PRICESN,

About half of the nurse anesthesia programs are in schools of nursing, grant an MSN and require a BSN for admission. The other half grant other masters, and accept non nursing bachelors.

Don't worry about adult ICU. NICU nurses have the best passing scores on the certification exam/boards. Any school would look favorably on that background.

The only part time program I know of is at Pitt, but it is a MSN program. There may be others.

loisane CRNA

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University of Detroit/Mercy has part time programs at both Henry Ford Hospita(Detroit)l and St Joes (Pontiac).

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Some, ahem, have unadvertised part time programs, it never hurts to ask.

Craig

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If SOME CRNA schools require a BSN, but NONE exclude the candidate who only has a BSN (in favor of requiring a BS in something like Chemistry, Biology, or Physics) wouldn't logic dictate choosing the BSN route to maximize your eligibility with the MOST schools possible? Of course there is the argument that a BS in one of the sciences might BETTER prepare someone for the rigors of CRNA school. However, can't this concern be addressed via electives (within a BSN program) and self study. Speaking only for myself I find that most of what I learn in math and science comes from intensive study of texts rather than the lectures!

In addition, most BS majors require twenty to thirty core science classes (many of them advanced) within the major you are concentrating. While you will certainly LEARN a great deal by taking the advanced chemistry, biology, physics, and math/calculus classes there is argueably a higher risk of "depressing" your GPA. So here is another factor to consider would one of the CRNA schools which DO accept BSX students (that is to say a student with a BS in something like Chemistry, Biology, Physics or Physiology) prefer the BSX student with a 3.35 GPA or the BSN student who by taking the relatively speaking "easier BSN classes" earned a 3.65 GPA? This is no small issue since at least at my University many of the upper level science classes grade on a Bell curve. Thus, the BSX student will often find themselves competing for A's against pre-med, pre dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and furture science/PHD majors.

Finally, consider that unlike the MCAT, the basic GRE does little to reward the more advanced scientific knowledge imparted by the more rigorous upper level science courses (it can of course be argued that it does reward the superior analytic skills which tend to be facilitated by taking such classes). Perhaps, for the SUPERIOR student (who will be able to obtain mostly A's no matter how rigorous the curriculum) the BSX route would be the optimal path to pursue in order to obtain the maximun scientific knowledge base. However, perhaps the marginal future CRNA student would due well to borrow a bit of John Nash's "game theory" and consider the BSN route (either ADN to BSN or pure BSN route) while doing eveything possible on their own time to optimize their scientific "core" knowledge.

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Hi, I'll tell you what a am doing. I am currently going for LPN while working as a CNA. I have already applied to LPN to RN program which I get to test out of more then half of. then while working as an RN I can bridge to BSN through work. Work one year in critical care then apply to CRNA school.. on top of this I am getting this all paid for. I checked into all of this before doing it and the biggest advantage is getting to work as a nurse while still attending school to further my education. I check into area hospitals to see what type of education package they offered. I talked to them and they are willing to work with me. I work around my school and family, This makes school easier because I am working and know what is going on in class unlike some of those people who are fresh out of HIGH school and working at McDonalds. good luck

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