Switching to Nursing???

Started by Raydanation
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Raydanation

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Hi. I'm a high school teacher looking for a career change. I've decided, after much thought and shadowing, that a Nurse Anesthetist is what I ultimately would like to end up doing for a career. How can I make this happen? Have any of you been in this same situation?

As far as classes go, I've taken Anatomy, Physio, and Micro...but that's about it since I was a Social Science major. How long would it take me to get my BSN?

To become a CRNA, at least in CA, you have to complete one year of critical care after getting your BSN. Are the masters programs for anesthestists super competitive or are they not too difficult due to the shortage of nurses? Thanks for the help in advance.

PS, I am located in southern CA and would like to stay in the area. Thanks again.
 
I am from California too, but I had to move to do nursing. In fact, my school has, for the first time, accepted more students from California than from Maryland. UCLA has a nursing program, but it is brand-spanking-new (began in 2006) and I am not wild about the idea of getting into a program that has no reputation yet. From what I hear, it is still quite competitive because a lot of people from So Cal don't want to move. SDSU has a program, but when I called them two years ago they said unequivocally that they will not be accepting anyone that already had a bachelor’s. Well, that excluded me. USD has a program but it is pricey and you have to take theology classes. Of course there is UCSF, but that program is extremely competitive, doesn’t offer just a BSN (you have to get a master’s with them, they don’t give you a BSN at all) and isn’t So Cal anyway. As for the classes you’ve taken, all the programs require different things. I know that UCLA had some requirements that I couldn’t meet at community college.

As for your goal of CRNA it is the most highly paid specialty so yes, it is competitive and requires a lot of chemistry classes (naturally).

As an aside, yes, there is a nursing shortage but don’t let that fool you. There is no shortage of people willing to do the job. The universities are the bottle neck. Even Samuel Merritt in Oakland has to do a lottery for all qualified applicants because there simply isn’t space to accommodate them all.
 
I'm from Ohio, but here we have a ton of accelerated BSN programs that take 11-15 months. Average admissions requirements are 1 semester of general chemistry, 1 semseter of organic chemistry, anatomy/physiology I/II, and microbiology.

There are also 3 year graduate entry programs for people with a bachelors degree in non-nursing who wish to be an advanced practice nurse, but I've never seen one that was for a CRNA.

Your best bet is to find an accelerated BSN program, enter it, work as an RN in critical care for 2 years, then enter a CRNA program.

Here is the most current list of accelerated BSN programs that I have been given:
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Education/pdf/APLIST.PDF
 
California is a different world.

Here in Kentucky, we have a number of BSN programs. They are pretty easy to get into but the only problem is the expense.

The private schools are sometimes expensive, but you can get a contract with a hospital to have them pay your tuition.
 
There are a number of CRNA programs opening throughout the country. I think the newest one is in Florida. AA programs are popping up too.

My wife is in nursing and we know a few CRNAs. Despite it being competitive, I've never known anyone who has not eventually been accepted to a CRNA program. The other perk is that unlike applying to med school, you have a job as an RN while you're applying.

So if it takes an extra year, so what. You'll have another year of ICU critical care under your belt, which can only help! And a ton more in savings! I can't think of a safer way to advance your career.

If you want to be a CRNA, it is only a matter of time.
 
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