Switching to nuirsing.. need advice.

[Btr1208]

Hi everybody.

I have always been on path for dental school. My grades are where they need to be (3.7oGPA, 3.75 sGPA) but I just can not imagine working on a mouth all day long everyday. I have been doing research and I really want to pursue a career as a CRNA. I know the general path is BSN-> work for 1-2 yrs in critical care-> 3yr CRNA program.

Now this is where things get tricky....

My gf (soon to be fiance) and I are moving to Houston this summer from Indiana. She is working in healthcare admin. I am close to finishing my degree but have all the prerequisites for UTH's BSN pacesetter program. I figure with a good HESI score and my GPA I would have a good shot at getting in. That program is 4 semesters. From there I would work 1-2 yrs in critical care and then apply to their CRNA program. Does this seem like a good path to take?

My concerns...

- I am considered out of state. Will this hurt my chances?

- I do not have my degree BUT have all the prerequisites required PLUS some more advanced science classes.

Thank you all so much for any information.

Bryce

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

On the surface, the outline you have laid out looks fine. Buuuuttt.....I believe it will take you a little longer than you are planning before you can apply to a school for CRNA.

First thing is that the job market in that area (unless I've fallen behind and this is no longer true?) is quite tight: new grads are plentiful and jobs for new grads scarce. Again, unless my info is out of date, this is what I recall reading about on this board only a year or so ago.

Once you DO find a job, it is unlikely to be in critical care, as that typically requires enough experience in various acute care settings (learning the ropes); the oft-discussed year or two of med-surg that many don't feel is required is usually what is preferred for ICU/critical care.

Sometimes a new grad will luck into a position in ICU where they can learn from the ground up, but usually....not. If you did land an ICU spot straight out of school it will be the higher end of the experience range that you would need to be considered for further schooling, as you'd have zero prior experience.

So if you take into account it could take you 6 months or more to land a job, and that job is med-surg, you'd probably be there a good year (or more) before being considered for a transfer to ICU....you might be looking at 3-4-5 years after nursing school graduation before applying to CRNA school. And THAT is a very competitive process as well! Nothing worthwhile is easy or fast

Good luck!