What route did you go?

[Conz3434]

Hey everyone,

I've heard some talk on here as to whether or not going the BSN- then gettin expierence or ADN- expierence while getting BSN is the better route to take when pursuing a career as a CRNA. I am wandering wich route you chose, why, and was it a good/bad choice?

P.S. I ask this because I've heard of one guy who went straight out of highschool to ADN (took him 2 years) worked in an ICU for 2 years while going to school (finished his BSN). Applied right away to CRNA, got accepted. I thought this was great because it definetly fast tracked the education and/or ICU expierence, although expierence is invaluable. He got his CRNA in I beleive 6 years including undergrad. Thats the quickest I've ever heard. What do ya'll think?

[jewelshouse]

I am still on my pre-req's for nursing school. What is a CNRA?

[jen123321]

I did exactly what the guy you knew did. Plus, while you are working in the ICU...someone else (your employer) is paying for your bsn. I just got accepted to crna school, so it worked for me and I wouldn't change it if I could do it over.

[FutureNurseSaga]

I am still on my pre-req's for nursing school. What is a CRNA?

A CRNA is Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

I did exactly what the guy you knew did. Plus, while you are working in the ICU...someone else (your employer) is paying for your bsn. I just got accepted to crna school, so it worked for me and I wouldn't change it if I could do it over.

I'm currently a CNA student and about to being my pre-reg's next fall.

My plan is to do my pre-reg's in year, go 2 years for my ADN (and RN), 2 years as a part-time BSN student and full-time ICU Nurse, and then apply to a CRNA program. I wasn't sure if it was possible to do this.

How difficult was working while getting your BSN?

How long did it take you in total to complete your BSN and your ICU experience?

[JustinTJ, ADN, BSN]

I'm currently a CRN student and about to being my pre-reg's next fall. My plan is to do my pre-reg's in year, go 2 years for my ADN (and RN), 2 years as a part-time BSN student and full-time ICU Nurse, and then apply to a CRNA program. I wasn't sure if it was possible to do this.

I'm doing the same thing, prereqs this fall/spring. Starting ADN next fall.

[jen123321]

BSN is alot of busy work, but nothing astronomical. I worked FT through this entire process. Get your ICU experience in the year or two while you're getting your bsn and start applying to anesthesia schools when you have like 6-8 months left of school.

[JustinTJ, ADN, BSN]

My CRNA school has application deadlines of Feb (early app) and May (final deadline) for a Spring admission of the the following year.

I was thinking that I would finish my BSN in the fall and have to wait till the prior year to start and apply after I had been granted my BSN degree.

Is is possible to apply without the degree, based on the fact that you will have it by the time classes start?

[Summitk2]

If anyone already has a bachelor's degree and is pursuing nursing and anesthesia, I recommend an accelerated BSN program. You can have your RN & BSN in 1 year and start ICU work without having to worry about still getting your BSN. There's a lot to learn as a new grad in the ICU, without having BSN classes. Also, think about how long you'll be a student if you go the ADN route-- 1 year pre-reqs, 2 years ADN, 1-2 years RN-BSN, 2-3 years CRNA. 6-8 years without a break from being a student is a long time. My friend following this path is tired of being a student, and she's not even to CRNA school yet. I started nursing school a year later than her, have the same amount of experience, and haven't had any classes while I'm an ICU RN. I can focus on my credentials, study critical care more in-depth, and prepare for applications during this time. Oh yeah, and I have a life outside of nursing! (that is, until anesthesia school starts)

Summitk2