Why is BSN required for CRNA?

Nurses General Nursing Nursing Q/A

I'm working on my RN and plan to go to CRNA school. I've noticed that a few CRNA schools will allow you to have a bachelors in other science areas, as long as you are an RN. But the best school seem to require a BSN. Why is that? Why is an easy, relatively useless, easy to obtain degree required over something like a bachelors in chemistry?

Specializes in kids.
33 minutes ago, Horseshoe said:

I went to a brick and mortar well regarded state university for my BSN. I would not rank my experience with that of an engineering or physics major, but it was not "laughably easy." It was a pretty rigorous program. While it appears that some of the online RN to BSN programs are simply degree mills, do not assume that every BSN degree holder got their education online, doing "discussion forums and quizzes."

Totally agree. I did as well and am very proud of my education. There is name recognition when asked where I went. And at professional conferences, I wear my pin (as I do every day) and it has been recognized by fellow graduates. Doesn't mean a damn thing to some, it means a lot to me.

Specializes in Nephrology.

This is so easy to answer. You need your undergrad (which is BSN) so that you could apply fot CRNA which is an MSN degree. Unless there are bridge programs that you can obtain BSN while in CRNA program.

All physicians needed to take there undergrad as well before they get eligible to apply for medical school.

Specializes in Retired.
On 12/24/2019 at 10:15 AM, jayjaybsnrn said:

This is so easy to answer. You need your undergrad (which is BSN) so that you could apply fot CRNA which is an MSN degree. Unless there are bridge programs that you can obtain BSN while in CRNA program.

All physicians needed to take there undergrad as well before they get eligible to apply for medical school.

There are no bridge programs to obtain a BSN while in CRNA since there is no way to go to CRNA school until one has BSN (few exceptions with BS majors) AND experience.

Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.

From American Association of Nurse Anesthetists:

https://www.aana.com/membership/become-a-crna/crna-fact-sheet

Education of Nurse Anesthetists in the United States - At a Glance

https://www.aana.com/membership/become-a-crna/education-of-nurse-anesthetists-in-the-u.s

Quote

A baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing or other appropriate major.

An unencumbered license as a registered professional nurse and/or APRN in the United States or its territories.

A minimum of one year full-time work experience, or its part-time equivalent, as a registered nurse in a critical care setting. The average experience of RNs entering nurse anesthesia educational programs is 2.9 years.

Graduation with a minimum of a master’s degree from a nurse anesthesia educational program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). As of August 2019, there were 121 accredited nurse anesthesia programs in the United States and Puerto Rico, using more than 1,870 active clinical sites; 91 nurse anesthesia programs are approved to award doctoral degrees for entry into practice.

Nurse anesthesia programs range from 24-51 months, depending on university requirements. Programs include clinical settings and experiences. Graduates of nurse anesthesia educational programs have an average of 9,369 hours of clinical experience.

It takes a minimum of 7-8.5 calendar years of education and experience to prepare a CRNA.

Specializes in Critical Care.

This is my states most prestigious CRNA program.

Program Requirements

Looking for something specific? Find CRNA schools categorized by their unique requirements.

Some CRNA schools require much more out of their applicants than others. See how the requirements at OLOL College compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.

CRNA Program Requirements

BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited ACEN or CCNE accredited school of nursing college or university

RN:
Current unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse in any state with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana

Critical Care:
Minimum of 1-year full-time experience as an RN in an adult intensive care unit (2 years preferred).

GPA:
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

Minimum GRE scores:
Graduate Record Examination score of 290 or equivalent within five years prior to applying for the program.

Certifications:

BLS (Basic Life Support)

ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)

CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) is encouraged; required if you’re reapplying

Must meet and comply with the DNP-NA Core Performance Standards

The first two semesters are taught via distance education. This will help you continue working in the critical care setting.

After the first two semesters, both didactic and clinical instruction is continuous. This is in order to provide you with the appropriate number of anesthesia cases, classroom hours and clinical hours.

Specializes in Critical Care.
30 minutes ago, ArmyRntoMD said:

This is my states most prestigious CRNA program.

Program Requirements

Looking for something specific? Find CRNA schools categorized by their unique requirements.

Some CRNA schools require much more out of their applicants than others. See how the requirements at OLOL College compare to most CRNA school’s requirements.

CRNA Program Requirements

BSN
Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited ACEN or CCNE accredited school of nursing college or university

RN:
Current unrestricted licensure as a registered nurse in any state with eligibility for licensure in Louisiana

Critical Care:
Minimum of 1-year full-time experience as an RN in an adult intensive care unit (2 years preferred).

GPA:
Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

Minimum GRE scores:
Graduate Record Examination score of 290 or equivalent within five years prior to applying for the program.

Certifications:

BLS (Basic Life Support)

ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)

CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) is encouraged; required if you’re reapplying

Must meet and comply with the DNP-NA Core Performance Standards

The first two semesters are taught via distance education. This will help you continue working in the critical care setting.

After the first two semesters, both didactic and clinical instruction is continuous. This is in order to provide you with the appropriate number of anesthesia cases, classroom hours and clinical hours.

Whether OLOL's CRNA program ranks higher than LSU's is debatable, but a BSN is not required for LSU's program, but you would have to have an MSN without a BSN. So to answer the OP's question, no, a BSN is not always required for a CRNA program.

In the very near future they will require all RNs to pick up a BSN anyway. You might as well get it done. It does not make any difference what you want, it's what they want. I'm doing the ADN to BSN at the local CC. Best bet is a DTA to a 4 year.

One thing I find surprising is my CC does not require medical terminology for their nursing program. I took it anyway because my first pick was Radiology and that required it. I'm looking forward to getting my BSN in the future.

On 12/17/2019 at 6:14 PM, MM1989 said:

I’m working on my RN and plan to go to CRNA school. I’ve noticed that a few CRNA schools will allow you to have a bachelors in other science areas, as long as you are an RN. But the best school seem to require a BSN. Why is that? Why is an easy, relatively useless, easy to obtain degree required over something like a bachelors in chemistry?

I want to start off with wishing you good luck in your journey for CRNA school. Like many other posters I find many issues with your initial statement.

First yes BSN is very important and essential to become a successful SRNA student/provider. You may view these classes as useless, but they are the cornerstone of the profession. Those courses that are more then likely viewed as useless for the cornerstone courses are essential such how to critically analyze research, since the profession is built on a plethora of research. In addition, communication and collaboration is the cornerstone to create the best and safest plan of care.

I will say attitude is essential to getting into CRNA programs. For every spot there is 10 applicants. If the initial attitude is the uselessness of the Bachelors degree there are 9 other people who will get that spot over you. I hesitantly would advise that is chemistry and science classes are the upmost important aspect of anesthesia you may want to consider Anesthesia Assistant over CRNA. I promise you I mean no malice or cruelness, but another profespctive form someone in the field.

Specializes in Anesthesia.

Hello! A BSN is required because a CRNA is an advanced nursing degree. Many CRNAs I know have a BS in chemistry or biology, and do an accelerated BSN. Then the critical care experience prior to CRNA school. If you have any questions please feel free to PM me. I’d love to talk about anesthesia

Dr. Christ, DNAP-CRNA

Specializes in kids.
1 hour ago, MunoRN said:

I don't think the OP was suggesting pursuing a CRNA without first becoming an RN or having a bachelor's degree, or that chemistry isn't important in becoming a CRNA since they were asking about pursuing a CRNA with a bachelor's degree in chemistry.

"But the best school seem to require a BSN. Why is that? Why is an easy, relatively useless, easy to obtain degree required over something like a bachelors in chemistry?"

She states a BSN is easy and useless...

Specializes in Critical Care.

Well it’s easy, that’s for sure. I wouldn’t say USELESS, since some jobs and educations require it. Maybe he means useless as in the education it provides in practicality? My BSN was a waste of my time.

Specializes in Critical Care.
14 minutes ago, NutmeggeRN said:

"But the best school seem to require a BSN. Why is that? Why is an easy, relatively useless, easy to obtain degree required over something like a bachelors in chemistry?"

She states a BSN is easy and useless...

I don't disagree with the OP's point that obtaining a bachelor's degree in chemistry in addition to what I presume would be an ADN, rather than an RN-to-BSN is going to be more useful in becoming a CRNA.

And yes, RN-to-BSN programs are pretty universally described as being both easy and of little practical use in nursing practice, they tend to be mainly composed of redundant busy work, with the primary purpose being to justify the credit hours required to charge for the tuition. I'm a liaison between my facility and the local nursing programs, which includes an RN-to-BSN programs, and the faculty of the RN-to-BSN program generally agrees that they program is "easy and useless", although they probably wouldn't use that phrasing.

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