Accepted to CRNA school w/ Online BSN?

AgentBeast, BSN, RN · Feb 19, 2011

Maybe, maybe not. It's not going to hurt your chances any more or less than showing up for the interview wearing a color the interviewer doesn't like.

RN7776 · Feb 19, 2011

I'd worry more about employment picture with an ADN right now. Locking down 1+ yrs in critical care is no cakewalk.

They usually won't take ER...they want solid ICU experience infusing vaso-active medications. This isnt something that is easy to get as a new graduate, yet alone at all once a nurse with experience.

lrobinson5 · Feb 19, 2011

Just because a school is 'accredited' doesn't mean it is accepted by other universities. Most online schools are accredited through a different agency than 'real' colleges. I know that the colleges I have looked at will only accept a Bachelors degree from a school accredited by one of 6 regional accrediting bodies. WASC is the one for California and the west coast, but you should look up WHO accredits the online program you are interested in.

There are plenty of distance programs offered through universities, so I would try to avoid places like the University of Phoenix, I think it is just a safer bet in the long run. Just my $0.02

Good luck :)

DesertRN2, MSN, APRN · Feb 19, 2011

lrobinson5 said:

Just because a school is 'accredited' doesn't mean it is accepted by other universities. Most online schools are accredited through a different agency than 'real' colleges. I know that the colleges I have looked at will only accept a Bachelors degree from a school accredited by one of 6 regional accrediting bodies. WASC is the one for California and the west coast, but you should look up WHO accredits the online program you are interested in.

That is not true. There are plenty of online schools that are part of traditional brick and mortar schools and hold the same accreditation. Many schools that offer RN-BSN, online is the only option. You have met your requirements for clinical RN practice as an ADN.

I am a student at ASU in the RN-BSN program and it is Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing

Education (CCNE), the same as the traditional BSN program you start as a freshman. There are plenty of options at state schools and private (for profit) colleges.

Also check out University of Texas at Arlington they are also CCNE accredited and have the lowest tuition I have found, had I known earlier I would have transfered I could have save myself money over ASU.

FOCKER0014 · Feb 19, 2011

Hey there...agree with all the above posters...obtained my ADN and then got my BSN online through UNC-Chapel Hill.... there wasn't ANY issue of my degree not being accepted as it is an "acutal" university...I got into CRNA school just fine....But in all honesty....where you get your BSN from could matter less to most admin comm....rather your experience and the grades you have obtained up to interview time....and of course your GRE/MAT scores...

Although the school may not matter as much the GRADES STILL do...so do your best...

good luck

lrobinson5 · Feb 20, 2011

That is not true. There are plenty of online schools that are part of traditional brick and mortar schools and hold the same accreditation. Many schools that offer RN-BSN, online is the only option. You have met your requirements for clinical RN practice as an ADN.

I am a student at ASU in the RN-BSN program and it is Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing

Education (CCNE), the same as the traditional BSN program you start as a freshman. There are plenty of options at state schools and private (for profit) colleges.

Also check out University of Texas at Arlington they are also CCNE accredited and have the lowest tuition I have found, had i known earlier I would have transfered I could have save myself money over ASU.

That is the type of online program that is awesome. Here in California there are many distance programs that are offered through universities, which is what I pointed out in my original post.

My main beef is for places like the University of Phoenix, where you will run into problems at certain schools, but it might be fine at others. I definitely think that if you are going to pick any online program you should do it through a University that is regionally accredited because it will be accepted at any place you want to go in the United States.

fyrace · Feb 20, 2011

Did my ADN 50% online via community college (PM to RN) and doing my ENTIRE BSN via the local University and have my 1st interview in March for CRNA school.

bibibi · Feb 20, 2011

RN to ban online is just fine. RN online would not be fine. Make sure you choose a school that is regionally accredited and also accredited by nursing bodies. It has to be a solid school no online only school or a degree mill such as university of phoenix or strayer. Any public college would do. Don't forget to maintain a high GPA.

remifentanil · Feb 20, 2011

At one time I think the online degree was somewhat looked down upon..But the fact is there are many many more seats in CRNA schools to fill.

Anesthesia schools are popping up all over the place. A CRNA school makes a lot of money for a university. People are getting into the profession today who would not have had a chance 10 years ago.

If you CANNOT get into a CRNA school today... something is seriously wrong.

SanFranSRNA · Feb 20, 2011

At one time I think the online degree was somewhat looked down upon..But the fact is there are many many more seats in CRNA schools to fill.
Anesthesia schools are popping up all over the place. A CRNA school makes a lot of money for a university. People are getting into the profession today who would not have had a chance 10 years ago.
If you CANNOT get into a CRNA school today... something is seriously wrong.

I am not sure about that....I am currently attending a school in northern California. I know plenty of people with good grades and a lot of ICU experience who didn't even get interview. CRNA application process is extremely competitive. I don't think that they will simply just accept anyone into the program. The majority of people in my program have the average GPA of above 3.7 and excellent GRE scores. To state that if you can't get into a CRNA school today there is something seriously wrong is simply incorrect.

remifentanil · Feb 20, 2011

I am not sure about that....I am currently attending a school in northern California. I know plenty of people with good grades and a lot of ICU experience who didn't even get interview. CRNA application process is extremely competitive. I don't think that they will simply just accept anyone into the program. The majority of people in my program have the average GPA of above 3.7 and excellent GRE scores. To state that if you can't get into a CRNA school today there is something seriously wrong is simply incorrect.

Actually the number of CRNA schools has expanded exponentially in recent years.. Globally, you cannot have a huge increase in the numbers of seats in schools without lowering the standards for admission. While it may not be the case in your particular school... and with the people you know, overall " Thems the facts". I can state with certainty that it is much easier to get into a CRNA school now than it was, say, 10 years ago. As an example: A city in the midwest went from a school turning out 8 graduates per year, to 3 schools turning out 60 graduates per year without a matching expansion of positions regionally. And there are schools graduating 140 or more grads a year... these CRNA farms did not exist just a few years ago. Anecdote does not equal data... 10 years ago students were offered large sign on bonuses, moving expenses etc. Those are now all but thing of the past.

Do some Googling on CRNA job availability.