Find solution
What are the steps for becoming a CRNA?

Steps to becoming a CRNA (nurse anesthetist)?

  • I'm currently a junior in high school and I was just wondering about the process of becoming one as I am interesting in this carer path. I've taken Medical Terminology my ...show more

  • Answer:

    Simpson gave the most direct and concise answer, but I will add to it. When you are earning your BSN to become an RN, keep a very high GPA. CRNA programs only take the best of the best students, the superstars, the leaders. Regular BSN programs are competitive for admission - but CRNA programs are insane. Not uncommon for a program to have only a dozen or two slots and they get hundreds of applicants. Join professional nursing organizations. Do volunteer work. Do fundraisers or other health-promotion activities while in school. List all these things on your resume and application for the CRNA program. Also you need to know that by the time you're ready to start a CRNA program, you might very well be looking at needing a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree and not just a Masters degree. For about the last 5-10 years, there has been a push to change the minimum education for any kind of advanced practice nurse (CRNAs, NPs, and Certified Nurse Midwives) to change to the DNP. There has been a recommendation for this change to occur in 2015 - however I'm currently an MSN - NP student and my school has repeatedly reassured us that this will not happen by 2015, but rather by 2018-2020 it is more realistic. So be prepared. . . you might need to complete your MSN (2-3 year program) and then your DNP (which is another 2-3 years). Some universities have already started to create a BSN to DNP bridge program which cuts out about a year's worth of the MSN level courses, but these are still pretty rare, especially for CRNA programs. Becoming a CRNA is not easy. It's hard work. It's a long, long path. It takes persistence and dedication to get there, and most people do not have the patience to make it that far.

27LYBKYK7MSMU4XC3FYPWYRC4E at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

Was this solution helpful to you?

Other answers

Pooky™

You have a long way to go! Get into a RN school and get your license first. CRNA school is highly competitive and of extreme rigor, on the same basis like medical school. Most programs are 28 months and award a Masters of Science in Nursing. If you have the drive, time and passion, do it! Great $! Good luck.

Bob Green

It used to be just a masters program but now I think all colleges are converting to a PhD program if you want to be a nurse anesthetist. So plan on getting a BSN- MSN- and then PhD if you want to work as a nurse anesthetist.

Educated

You need to get your BSN and atg least a couple of years ICU nursing experience. Then complete a CRNA Masters program.

Lori

This will require you to have a Master's level of education. You go to a school that specifically does this. A friend had gone to Duke University in N. Carolina, I think. You do have to do 1-2 years working in an ICU first. And of course, you must be an RN with experience. The ICU experience may be enough, not sure. I think he said he could not have any debts at all when going to school because there would be no time to work to pay back any loans. So he did 7-10 consecutive 12 hours shifts at a time in ICU.

mildred f

Related Q & A:

Just Added Q & A:

Find solution

For every problem there is a solution! Proved by Solucija.

  • Got an issue and looking for advice?

  • Ask Solucija to search every corner of the Web for help.

  • Get workable solutions and helpful tips in a moment.

Just ask Solucija about an issue you face and immediately get a list of ready solutions, answers and tips from other Internet users. We always provide the most suitable and complete answer to your question at the top, along with a few good alternatives below.