Can I become a Nurse Anesthetist Without a BSN

Many people without a BSN degree want to become nurse anesthetists. The question is, is it possible? A BSN is a requirement to enter CRNA accredited schools. Practicing nurses with an Associate’s degree may get this by taking an RN-to-BSN program. Those with a non-nursing degree may take an accelerated BSN program. Below, you’ll learn how to get a BSN - and other education requirements for CRNA hopefuls. Can You Be a CRNA Without Being a Nurse? You cannot become a CRNA without being a nurse. Being a registered nurse is a clinical requirement for CRNA schools. Likewise, you need to enter nursing school to get this license. While you can do this with an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN), it’s better to get a BSN. It is one of the primary education requirements for CRNA schools. If you’re about to go to college, your best choice is a four-year BSN program. But if you have an ADN - or if you have another bachelor’s degree - you may take any of these two pathways: RN to BSN Program This program is designed for licensed RNs with an associate’s degree. You can finish this in one to two years, though you can take a bridge program that only takes nine to twelve months. Additionally, you may complete an RN to BSN program online. That means you can still work while completing your degree. Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Program Another pathway to becoming a nurse anesthetist is the accelerated BSN program. True to its name, you can get your BSN in as fast as eleven months. The ABSN program aims to cater to Bachelor’s degree holders in other fields. Because of its faster pace, it will be harder to juggle work while you complete this program. How to Get Your BSN Whether you choose BSN, RN to BSN, or ABSN program, you will need to follow this series of steps: https://twitter.com/CRNASchoolHQ/status/1426988311227244548 1. Check the Requirements You need to have a GPA of at least 2.75 to enter nursing. Additionally, you should have finished pre-requisite coursework. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you need to take courses in Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and Statistics. If you only have an ADN, you will need to complete more subjects. Apart from the courses above, you also need to take: College mathEnglishHumanitiesGeneral psychologyGeneral sociologyOther electives 2. File Your Application To gain admission to a BSN program, you need to prepare the following: Completed application formCopy of GPA Depending on the school, you may need to prepare other documents. Additionally, you may need to take a test or attend an interview as well. Once you have completed these requirements, you may proceed with the next step. 3. Complete Your BSN Degree Depending on your program, it may take you a year to four years to finish your BSN. Although curriculums vary, most institutions cover the following courses: Nursing theory concepts Simulation and skills laboratoriesClinical rotations 4. Take (and Pass) the NCLEX-RN If you’re an ADN graduate who’s already licensed and practicing, then you may skip this step. But if you’re a traditional BSN or ABSN student, you may take this test as early as 45 days after your graduation. How to Become a Nurse Anesthetist Now it’s time to build your CRNA qualifications and capabilities. Here’s how to do it: 1. Gain the Experience Needed for CRNA School You need to have critical care experience to get into a nurse anesthetist program. If you have experience before pursuing a BSN degree, you can count that in your application. If not, you need to have at least a year’s worth of work experience in the MICU, SICU, or CCU to enter. Do note that a year is only the bare minimum. Most applicants have at least two to five years of critical care experience. Apart from this, some programs require at least 8 hours of CRNA shadowing. Schools may ask for your BLS, ACLS, and PALS certifications as well. 2. Apply to CRNA-Accredited Schools Once you’ve met the clinical requirement for CRNA school, you may go ahead and apply. The entry requirements are similar to what you submitted to nursing school. However, an accredited nurse anesthesia educational program will also ask for the following: Resume or curriculum vitaeTranscript of records Letters of recommendationEssays Shortlisted applicants may need to undergo interviews as well. What GPA Do You Need for CRNA School? Compared to BSN programs, CRNA schools require a higher GPA of 3.0. You may, however, improve your chance of admission by having a GPA of 3.5 or higher. 3. Finish CRNA School Whether it's traditional or online nurse anesthetist programs, you need to complete these: Principles of CRNA practiceBiostatistics and EpidemiologyResearchHealthcare policy and ethicsInformaticsLeadership and managementAdvanced nurse anesthesia coursesCRNA residency How Long is CRNA School? The years you take up in a CRNA school will depend on the program you plan to take. You will need another two years to finish your Master’s in Nurse Anesthesia. This is on top of the BSN course you have already completed. A DNP/DNAP program, on the other hand, will take you another 3-4 years. Do You Need a DNP to be a CRNA? You don’t need a DNP to be a CRNA because you can become one with only a Master’s degree. It is recommended, however, that you take a DNP. In the year 2025, a doctorate will be the minimum education requirement for CRNA practice. So if you only have a Master’s degree, you will need to undergo more schooling to continue working as a CRNA. 4. Get Certified After finishing an accredited nurse anesthesia program, you may finally apply for certification. You will do this by taking the NCE test. You are eligible if you meet these two nurse anesthetist certification requirements: Active, unrestricted RN license Completion of a CRNA program (with a record of academic and clinical experience) The NCE is a computer-adaptive test administered by the NBCRNA. It includes a minimum of 100 questions (maximum 170) in the following formats: Multiple choice CalculationDrag and dropHotspot Video or graphics Each examinee may only take the test for a maximum of three hours. Before you exit the test center, you will already receive a preliminary report of your exam (pass or fail). You can expect the official results to come in two to four weeks after the test. 5. Work as a CRNA Once you pass the NCE, you can finally work as a CRNA. That means you’re certified to: Determine the best anesthetic plan for the clientPrepare the operating room for anesthesia inductionAdminister the necessary anesthetic drugsMonitor the patients during and after the procedure. As with other disciplines, you need to recertify your skills to keep on working as a CRNA. To do so, you need to meet the following requirements during the first four years of your practice: 60 Class A Credits40 Class B Credits4 Core Modules https://youtu.be/-MFrgaTuz3Q Final Words Getting your BSN takes you one step closer to your dream of becoming a CRNA. As such, you need to enroll in an RN to BSN program if you only have an ADN. An ABSN, on the other hand, will suit you if you already have a bachelor’s degree. Doing any of these will help you meet the education requirements for CRNA schooling.