Where do I start?

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i have decided to pursue my dream of being a crna finally.. so now where do i start? can i do pre reqs and get into a bsn program? if so where? or do i have to just go to a 4 year bsn program? im so confuses by all of this........ i dont have any vredits as of right now....any suggestions? im trying to complete my bsn asap im hoping on some sort of accelerated program? any advice thanks :twocents::banghead::D:bow::bow::bow::bow:

Specializes in Emergency.
It doesn't matter if you do pre-req's at a community or 4-year college. You still will have to attend 4 years of school in order to complete a BSN. The only way to fastrack is to have an associates degree in nursing (ADN-RN) which takes about 3 years to get, then there is a 1 year transition program from ADN to BSN, still totaling 4 years of college either way. The other option is if you already have a BS in another field you can then go back and take an accelerated BSN program that can take anywhere from 1 to 2 years (for a grand total of 5 to 6 years of college). As you can see, there is no true "fast-track" from ground zero. And guess what? Once you complete your BSN you will have to work a minimum of 1 year, if not more, in the ICU before you can qualify for CRNA school. Good luck!

Not true. I graduated from high school in 2006, and I started pre-requisites two years ago (in the fall of '06). I am starting the Accelerated BSN program (without any type of degree whatsoever) and will graduate next August, therefore getting my BSN in three years...that's what the OP was asking about. I'm not trying to argue with anyone or offend anyone (which apparently is coming across in such a way) I'm just simply telling the OP that it IS possible to get a BSN in three years if one is dedicated enough to do their pre-requisites (aka go to school full time). That is all. Have a nice day everyone :)

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Specializes in Emergency.
Well, I'm certainly glad to hear they're correct, since I cut & pasted them directly from the UMSL ABSN website ... As for qualifying in two years, he "should" qualify in two years if he spends the next two years taking all those courses, and has a competitive GPA. Sounds like the OP is in a big rush, and looking for some other option besides spending the next two years positioning himself to apply for a program.

I must have come off as attacking you?? If so, I'm sorry it came across that way. I'm here to help the OP. I've had PM's with OP and was trying to further clear up information with him. It sounds like he is dedicated from our conversations, so I'm simply here to help. I never intended on coming across in an aggressive manner, so I apologize if I did. Have a nice day :)

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I must have come off as attacking you?? If so, I'm sorry it came across that way. I'm here to help the OP. I've had PM's with OP and was trying to further clear up information with him. It sounds like he is dedicated from our conversations, so I'm simply here to help. I never intended on coming across in an aggressive manner, so I apologize if I did. Have a nice day :)

I did not intend to sound aggressive or defensive, either, and I also apologize. Best wishes for your studies! :)

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Friendly Ghost, I stand corrected! I wasn't aware of any accelerated programs for BSN such as you describe. I have to wonder though, how thorough are these programs? One big issue with some programs these days is that they do not give extensive enough training. Many are allowing students to graduate without ever having inserted an IV, foley, NGT, etc. It's really scary. I found that in the ICU in the old days when we precepted a new grad we could start with ICU stuff right away, but not anymore. Now we typically spend the first couple of weeks teaching basic nursing skills to these types of grads that should have been taught in school. I think it's great if you can get what you need out of a program, but I don't agree with accelerated programs that are skipping necessary training. I don't mean to come down on your good luck, honestly. I just know after 15 years of ICU that there are just certain steps you can't skip if you want to be a really good nurse.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Friendly Ghost, I stand corrected! I wasn't aware of any accelerated programs for BSN such as you describe. I have to wonder though, how thorough are these programs? One big issue with some programs these days is that they do not give extensive enough training. Many are allowing students to graduate without ever having inserted an IV, foley, NGT, etc. It's really scary. I found that in the ICU in the old days when we precepted a new grad we could start with ICU stuff right away, but not anymore. Now we typically spend the first couple of weeks teaching basic nursing skills to these types of grads that should have been taught in school. I think it's great if you can get what you need out of a program, but I don't agree with accelerated programs that are skipping necessary training. I don't mean to come down on your good luck, honestly. I just know after 15 years of ICU that there are just certain steps you can't skip if you want to be a really good nurse.

I understand what you mean! It seems like if its accelerated that they must cut some stuff out....and I have the same concerns sometimes, too. We take the exact same classes as the regular program that lasts two years....it's only different in that our summer semester this year is 12 weeks instead of 15 and then our fall and spring semesters are completely normal...then next summer is also shortened by three weeks....so for most of it, we are going the same pace/rate as everyone else...we just go 6 weeks less overall...which could mean things get cut out that shouldn't! I'll have to let you know what happens with that.

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Hi! This in in response to Gambln00's questions about if you can take your pre reqs at a community college before going to an accelerated nursing program...I have taken all of my pre reqs at st charles community college and I am starting UMSL's accelerated program May 12. So, yes you can go that route. Hope that helps.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Hi! This in in response to Gambln00's questions about if you can take your pre reqs at a community college before going to an accelerated nursing program...I have taken all of my pre reqs at st charles community college and I am starting UMSL's accelerated program May 12. So, yes you can go that route. Hope that helps.

HEY Another accelerated UMSL nursing student!! It sounds like we're going to be classmates!! Yay!

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