The steps you must take

fence · Oct 26, 2002

Sumstar--

If your planning on getting your ADN first you can surely work in ICU until you get you BSN. You will then have the experience to apply to CRNA school directly after receiving you BSN.

good luck,

Jimmy

kmchugh · Oct 26, 2002

Sumstarr

There are a few different paths to CRNA. If you do not already have a degree, you could either start by getting your ADN, then immediately going to work in an ICU. While working, you could work on your BSN. Most schools will accept your ICU experience as an ADN while working on a BSN, so in your last semester of a BSN program, you could apply to a CRNA program. If you are accepted, the acceptance will be conditional on your finishing your BSN. You could also go straight to a BSN program, and begin working in an ICU on graduation. Most programs require one year of ICU experience before beginning a CRNA program.

Either way should take about the same length of time. I've thought about this some, and generally, I would recommend that you get your BSN first, then work in an ICU for a year, then apply to a CRNA program. The advantage I see to this is that you are concentrating on only one thing at a time. I have known more than one ADN who started working on a BSN, only to have it take longer than initially planned because work and family issues interfered with their planned schedule. I also know a couple who just dropped out of the BSN program because the unit manager either could not or would not work with the nurse around her school schedule. No matter which way you go, you must concentrate on what you are doing, and what your goals are.

Ultimately, it does not really matter which path you choose. The road to becoming a CRNA is tough, but in the end, all the work, struggle and heartache are worth it. Trust me.

Kevin McHugh, CRNA

MICU RN · Oct 26, 2002

Sumstarr;

I agree with Kevin, even though I went the ADN route and will be getting my BSN this sem. and then applying to CRNA school for the fall 2003. I grad. in 1998 with a ADN and took a year off from school, it then took me 3 1/2 years, taking two summers off, to get my BSN. Although some of my friends did that route faster I would say they were not the norm. I can't begin to tell you how people I know who went the ADN route and are still talking about how they are going to become a crna or MD and have yet to go back and get their BSN. So they are basicallystuck doing bedside nursing. So go the BSN route if at all possible, you wont regret it.

sumstarr · Oct 26, 2002

Thanks Guys