What should I do now to prepare for nursing school?

[jeanne_w_a]

I'm a non-nursing career changer who ultimately wants be be a CRNA.

I'm currently finishing up my prerequisites in order to apply to a Direct Entry Nursing program in the near future.

My question is, as someone who has no real medical experience (except for volunteer experience in High School) is there anything I can do to gain more experience in the nursing field and strengthen my Nursing School application, and ultimately my chances of being accepted into a Nurse Anesthesia program down the road?

Thanks so much for your help.

[Atl-Murse]

Get As on all preqs

[Boomer MS, RN]

Congrats on your career goals. If you are determined to be a CRNA, be forewarned that there are no shortcuts. These programs are quite competitive, requiring critical care experience., some as much as five years. First you need to get that experience as an RN. Because there is no nursing shortage for new grads now in many areas, focus on getting the best basic education you can. I recommend a BSN instead of a direct entry master's program because you will be a new grad with no experience either way. The CRNA is an advanced practice role, and one needs experience to transfer the academic knowledge, critical thinking skills and nursing maturity to that new role. There has to be a solid foundation. What I have observed from several direct entry students in a an excellent program (nationally rated #1 for CNS and NP roles) is that they have no experience and will step out and get several years of experience in their area of passion before applying to and working in an advanced practice role. One CRNA program I am familiar with awards a DNP and accepts qualified applicants with a BSN. So you'd go from a BSN to a DNP.

On this forum, I read numerous postings similar as yours. I want to emphasize that it is all doable but is a long, yet rewarding, road. If you do a direct entry master's program, a traditional BSN program or an accelerated BSN program, you will be a new grad...period. Contact the schools which interest you; there is information on their websites how to strengthen one's application. Once you graduate and pass the NCLEX, you can work toward getting hired. There are students who move directly into ICU positions immediately after graduation.

Hopefully some CRNAs could contribute to your posting.

[nurseflip26, CRNA]

I would recommend being a CNA or tech of some kind. Yes I realize that being a CNA has little to do with being a CRNA but it's does get you "hands-on" with the patient. I found the patient contact and learning a proper bedside manner to be helpful in my maturation as a nurse. I personally went straight to the ICU as a new grad RN. Yes it was challenging but would not change it if I could. I have 2 years ICU experience and am applying to CRNA programs now.

There is certainly something with being able to step into the room and making a family confident that you will provide excellent nursing care. Similarly, as a CRNA you will need to have excellent bedside manner. Spending 5-10 minutes with someone, gaining their trust, and having them comfortable with you as their anesthesia provider is not something you learn in school.

[DTWriter]

For strengthening your application -volunteer some more

For preparing for nursing school - get yourself in physical shape (for instance, do yoga), get on a health diet (to boost your energy), and, above all -

Chill~