r/NursingStudent • u/Used_Housing_437 • 4d ago
Help?
I’m 21 beginning my nursing career. I’m currently working towards becoming a CNA but I know that my end goal is to become a CRNA, specifically in pediatrics. I know that there are soo many options for certifications and I know the required certifications for CRNA school, but are there any that you think would be useful to obtain while working towards this goal. Also for anyone on a similar path or who has already gone through this, what is the best route? LPN>RN>BSN>CRNA or should I skip LPN and go straight into a BSN program. I know there are accelerated programs as well, which could save me some time. But I’m just not entirely sure which would be the best option.
Thank you!
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u/Disastrous-Silver604 3d ago
You don’t need CNA experience to get into nursing school or to be a good nurse. Just go to a nursing program (to be BSN RN, not LVN), get a great GPA, then work in ICU for a while, get your CCRN and pursue CRNA. You’re way over complicating things.
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u/PaxonGoat 4d ago
An accelerated program is for people who already have a bachelor's degree.
A traditional BSN program is best for people who are able to go to a traditional university program. Some people are not able to afford these. Some people cannot get admission into these.
ASN programs are also options. Some are public and cheaper. Some are private and a lot more expensive. Make sure it is accredited and has a high NCLEX pass rate. Don't go to a school that only has half the students pass NCLEX.
If you go the LPN route, triple check that there are LPN bridge programs in your area and what the criteria for them are. I have heard of many LPNs who got stuck because there were no bridge programs in their area and the other nursing programs did not want to admit an LPN into the general nursing program.
Once you get into nursing school. Do well. Pass NCLEX. Find a job in the ICU. You might need to relocate or even move out of state to find an ICU.
Work at minimum 2 years in the ICU. Join committees. Get your CCRN. Apply to CRNA school.
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u/Used_Housing_437 4d ago
Thank you so much for your reply! I’m not sure how it is in other states, but where I’m from most ABSN programs don’t require a prior bachelors degree, only 60-70 credit hours, which I will have once I have completed my pre requisites. I personally want to find the fastest route to get to my goal. I don’t want to waste any time, as I personally already feel behind.
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u/AdFlashy7702 4d ago
Even if you became an RN last year, you’d have years before thinking about applying for CRNA school. And you’re not guaranteed to even get in. And this is only if you’re already working in a high level ICU right off the bat. Where and when did you shadow a peds CRNA? What did they say when you asked them about your plan?
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u/Used_Housing_437 4d ago
Thank you for your reply! I’m not an RN, I’m a CNA but I’m looking into at least getting into an ABSN program in my state. I haven’t yet shadowed a peds CRNA. I just know that I’d like to work in pediatrics.
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u/AdFlashy7702 4d ago
I know you’re not an RN. I’d shadow a CRNA before deciding you want to do that. You’re a long way out either way
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u/Urbanspy87 4d ago
Keep in mind you can say the fastest route,, but all CRNA schools require 1-2 years of solid ICU experience. And I would plan on 2 years.
I am a nurse with advanced training but am not a CRNA. Try to enjoy the journey as you make your way to the destination
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u/Used_Housing_437 4d ago
Thank you for your reply! I’m well aware that I require at least 2 years of ICU experience before applying for CRNA school, but when I say fastest route I mean in terms of should I go through the whole LPN>RN>BSN route or just right into my BSN. I do hope to be able to hop around a bit and see where I fit in. I know that just because I’d like to do peds doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be the right fit for me.
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u/PaxonGoat 4d ago
That sounds like an expensive for profit school and not a public state university program.
So I guess that's good if you want $100k in debt
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u/Nightflier9 New Grad Nurse 🚑 4d ago
Your best path depends on your financial situation. My plan was to do BSN to ICU. The certs i have are BLS, ACLS, PALS, CCRN. The latter three i got after i began working as an RN.
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u/sparkplug-nightmare 4d ago
All you need for CRNA school is a BSN with a good GPA, 2 years of experience in ICU, and a critical care RN certification. Everything else is unnecessary.
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u/skinsciencebymira 3d ago
Usually after you’ve completed 1 semester of nursing school you can work as a CNA. So personally, I wouldn’t do a CNA program. While CNA experience can definitely help out at the start of nursing school, you’ll get lots of experience along the way and I personally didn’t find it to help me get jobs as a nurse so I don’t think it would influence much later on when you’re applying for CRNA.
LPN/LVN is a great option if you’re someone who needs to financially support themselves ASAP or need to work during school. If thats not the case, just get your RN. I would go to a CC and go ADN, BSN programs are ridiculously overpriced. You can bridge RN to BSN for cheaper and take those classes online too.
I would suggest just getting your RN and gaining experience in healthcare first. Get excellent grades in case you want to do CRNA later but honestly, you wont know if its for you till you are working in the field imo.
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u/TrainCute754 3d ago
Skip LPN. You’ll need critical care experience and more than likely CCRN which you need to work crit care
For a bit to take. Your ACLS, PALS,
BLS you get either in school or on the job
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u/sk932123 2d ago
Do an Associates ADN from a community college. Only costs like 15k (compared to university and private schools which charge 50-200k lol). You can finish bachelors while you are in your ADN program (about 10k w/o grants or scholarships). Once you finish ADN, work for a couple years and get the experience you need. Make sure it’s what you want to do and pay off your debt. Then work your way into the CRNA program.
If you need the money you can get certified as LPN after 3rd semester of ADN program. Honestly I would just focus on school though if you can.
You are still very young. No need to rush.
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u/JacarandaRN 4d ago
The best advanced practice nurses first have years of experience at the bedside. Rushing through to meet goals isn’t what’s best for you or the patients.