When did you decide?

Hi, everyone! I just discovered this site and already found a lot of info! I am 36 years old immigrant from Russia. In 1992 I went for my nursing first time but 3 years later dropped out. I did not want to be "nurse on the floor" all my life because that's what I used to do in Moscow... In 2000 I decided to get back to school and get my BSN ,hoping to get a job in ER or operating room...Something more dinamic. But one day my girlfriend told me that there is a CRNA opening at her hospital where she works as a nurse. I did not know what that abbreviation means and she told me that it's nurse-anesthetist. Since that time I did lots of research and I know now that it is what I was looking for all the years! I start clinical this coming summer, I know that my first job will be in ICU. I already have a plan of retaking some old courses. I am very positive this time. I am sure I found what I like.

szoozoo, I'm from Russia, too. I want to become CRNA and now I'm waiting to start nursing program. Probably I'll try to apply to Fullerton school of anestesia when I get BSn in Nursing. Good luck to all of us.

I learned about the profession prior to deciding to become a RN and it was really the main reason I chose nursing. For awhile I got side tracked because I seriously thought about medicine, but decided to stay on the crna track. I started nursing school in 1995, graduated from a AD program in 1998. Went back to nursing school a year later to get my BSN and finally got in the fall of 2002. I just received my acceptance letter to a crna program last week and am very excited, although I realize it will be the hardest challenge I ever faced. I can't say I really enjoyed being a bedsid nurse, I knew when I was in nursing school that I was much more interested in medicine than nursing, but stuck it out hoping it would lead me to crna or med school. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy working in a big academic hospital because of all the teaching that goes on and the relationships I have with the residents and nurses; however, being a bedside nurse is not my cup of tea, too many hats to wear and not enough respect or compensation, but thats is for a different thread. It has been a long journey thus far, I started taking prereq.'s for nursing in 1993 and I had to start with a remedial math classe and now ten years later I just finished my graduate stats course which was a prereq. for the anesthesia program I applied to and I even thing I got an A in it. So, I hope anyone out there who is reading this will realize that if they truly set their mind to it and apply themselves they can achieve this goal, it just takes average intelligence and plenty of hard work. And by the way, I discovered this forum about a year ago and it has been a great source of advice an inspiration.

MICU_RN-

That was inspiring thanks!

I am following almost the same route you have already been down. I have a bachelors in Industrial Design, but am not satisfied with my job. I have always been fascinated by anesthesia, but always put it in the back of my head. Now I am realizing that doing so, was a mistake.

So, I am just about starting from scratch here. I just started my CNA class last week. LOL! Will take my pre-reqs this fall for the BSN program. Hopefull be admitted to the BSN program for Fall 2004. Then I will have to get work experience....and FINALLY apply to CRNA schools. I have a very long road ahead of me, but it's incouraging to see that others before you have made it.

warzone,

You probably know this already, but just to cover all bases----------

You could get a two year nursing degree, work in ICU, and get into CRNA school quicker than if you get a BSN

About half of the CRNA programs offer a non-nursing masters, and so they do not require a BSN. Your previous bachelors would work.

Just a thought.

loisane crna

Originally posted by loisane

warzone,

You probably know this already, but just to cover all bases----------

You could get a two year nursing degree, work in ICU, and get into CRNA school quicker than if you get a BSN

About half of the CRNA programs offer a non-nursing masters, and so they do not require a BSN. Your previous bachelors would work.

Just a thought.

loisane crna

I have thought about this route as well, but here's the conclusion I have come to. I would need to take the pre-reqs (at least some) anyways to get into the associates program. After the pre-reqs it's 2 years either way, BSN or ASN. With the BSN there would be no constraints as far as to what schools I can apply to. Also - heaven forbid - I don't get into a CRNA program, or some other unforseen event happens, I will still have the BSN to fall back on leaving me more options than the ASN.

Thanks for your concern though...I need all the help I can get to make this happen! I'm uprooting my family, renting out our newly constructed home, and leaving a good paying job, all to go back to school to make this happen. It's scary, but I know it will be worth it.

If you have any advice, what so ever, please send it my way! :)

I am a firm believer in learning from other's experiences.