Realistic Qualifications

[Cucuchicuu]

Hi. I'm currently only a freshman in college working on prerequisites to get into the nursing program. I am very interested in specializing to be Nurse Anesthesia later on. My question is, after I get my BSN, realistically, how long will it be before I can go through the program? I know it's very hard to get in and very competitive. I also understand that it is up to my grades/scores and experience. I'm just curious as to how old people are and how many years of experience nurses who are admitted have. I'm also interested in their test scores.

Thank you very much!

[Marie_LPN]

Hi. I'm currently only a freshman in college working on prerequisites to get into the nursing program. I am very interested in specializing to be Nurse Anesthesia later on. My question is, after I get my BSN, realistically, how long will it be before I can go through the program? I know it's very hard to get in and very competitive. I also understand that it is up to my grades/scores and experience. I'm just curious as to how old people are and how many years of experience nurses who are admitted have. I'm also interested in their test scores.

Thank you very much!

If your goal is CRNA, you'll a couple of years' ICU/CCU experience.

I've heard of various nurses of various ages getting accepted into programs.

[nightstar3dp]

You honestly need to chose which university you would be interested in going to CRNA school at, then check the requirements of that particular program..

Lets add this up.. and this is using the Arkansas State University admission guidelines for a BSN program and a CRNA program...

You usually graduate school at the age of 18.
A BSN program usually runs about ---------4years (8 semesters, 136 hours)
ASU requires at least 1 year of ICU exp.----1year (CVICU, MICU, NICU)
The CRNA school usually runs about--------3years (7 semesters, 71 hours)

Which means you will be close to 26 year of age when you graduate as a CRNA.

This is, of course, assuming you go straight to school like this. As I said before check out the university you are planning on going to school and check their requirements it might be different. ASU requires you also to be certified in Pediatric Advance Life Support (PALS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS)

[teaberry]

All anesthesia programs require a bachelor's in either nursing or an appropriate science, and a minimum of at least one year critical care.

Your grades are most important, plus your interview will seal the deal - how you conduct yourself under stress, manual dexterity is a plus, also.

Good luck!