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Discussion

Working during RN-BSN program?

Hi, I'm a sophomore in High School excited to work my way up to becoming a CRNA. I have done lots of research and talking about it for the last 6 months and I have a pretty nice plan worked out, but I need some help from some of you wise nurses.

Basically, I have this great "Florida 2+2 Prepaid" thing that covers 2 years of tuition at IRSC (local small college) then 2 years at any other public FL university. What I am planning on doing is getting my RN at IRSC then transferring to USF for its RN-BSN program.

I understand that most people work during these programs, but here is where I have questions.

1. Can I work full time or does it have to be part time?

2. Will I be able to save enough money in those two years to pay for a large portion of my CRNA schooling?

3. As 2 years of ICU experience is preferable for CRNA school, would I be able to knock out this requirement while in my RN-BSN program?

I understand that if the answer to 3 is no, I may need to work for another year or two. I also understand how important experience in the ICU is, and that the requirement is there for a good reason. If I do not feel ready to administer anesthesia by the end of my second year in the ICU, I will keep working until I know I am. (So don't worry that I am rushing, I am just trying to be as time/cost effective as possible.)

Thank you very much in advance to all of those who reply! :)

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    Can't speak to the questions about CRNA programs, but, re: your question about BSN completion programs, many (most?) of those programs are designed for RNs who are working full-time. When I finished a BSN a kazillion years ago, at a B&M state uni program near me, I worked full-time throughout the program, as did everyone else I knew in the program. "Full-time" study in that program was one weekday evening and one weekday day a week, and no one I knew had any difficulty arranging their work schedules around that, or completing the required coursework while working full-time. With the proliferation of on-line programs since then, many of them work-at-your-own-pace, it's even easier than it used to be.

    Best wishes for your journey!

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    Not a CRNA or even an RN yet myself, but from what I know about things, I would think the answer to all three questions would be yes assuming a few things:

    1) Like ElkPark said, most of those RN-BSN programs are geared towards nurses who are ALREADY working full-time and want/need to complete their BSN - many of whom have had their RN through an ADN for years - decades even. In my case, I am getting my BSN at the same time as my ADN - all online through a state university that has a program you can take concurrently with the community college.

    2) That all depends on where you wind up going to CRNA school and what it costs and what your living expenses are. If you stay with your parents during your schooling and during your first two years of work experience and have little to no expenses, then yes, you can save a TON of money. I know people who lived with their parents til they were 30 or something and saved tons of money to buy houses, pay for school, etc.

    3) If you read the threads here, you will see that plenty of people got in to CRNA school with 2 years of ICU experience. The tricky part will be landing that elusive ICU job as a new grad - which you can find plenty of threads about that as well.

    Good Luck. As a student in high school, you seem to have done far more research than many of the people who post on these boards with questions regarding the path to CRNA.

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    The bsn program I'm applying to won't accept you if you work and have small children (which is my case) so I plan to drop down to part time then..good luck.. I too want to be a crna

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    It's a good plan, Jack! A young man with a vision and determination can do much. Stick to it, bro.

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    1. Can I work full time or does it have to be part time? 2. Will I be able to save enough money in those two years to pay for a large portion of my CRNA schooling? 3. As 2 years of ICU experience is preferable for CRNA school would I be able to knock out this requirement while in my RN-BSN program? [/quote']

    Jack, I am not a CRNA nor will I ever be one but I just wanted to say it is nice to see a young man in high school with a plan. It is obvious you are putting a lot of time and effort into your research.

    1. Most RN-BSN programs are designed for the working RN

    2. Much depends on your salary, living expenses (will you stay at home or move out, etc.) and the cost of your CRNA program.

    3. The difficulty here might be getting a job in the ICU right out of school without a BSN. It all depends on hiring practices where you want to work and job availability.

    I don't say any of this to discourage you, there are just too many variables to be able to give you definite answers. You may get into nursing and decide you like something you never thought you would. Good luck to you. Keep up your grades!

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    Not to discourage but you still have a realllllly long way to go. I'd focus on getting thru high school and getting accepting to a nursing school and passing your boards in like 6 years. You still got like 8 or so years before you even apply.

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    Thank you all, I know I have a long way to go, but I just like having a plan for my future set out so that I can live without worrying about what to do with my life, and thanks to nursing I have found that :)

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