National Nurse Anesthetists Week on January, 2025: What types of Colleges to become a nurse?

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What types of Colleges to become a nurse?

William,

You're right. First you must become a nurse and if anesthesia is your ultimate goal, then here's my very best advice on the matter ~

1. Pursue your BSN straight away. No use playing around with a 2 year degree when a BSN is required for admission to Nursing Anesthesia Schools. It's a graduate program which grants a Masters of Science in Anesthesia upon completion of all coursework. If you have no family to support then I fail to see the necessity of attending a 2 year RN program only to transfer later.

2. Universities base admission decisions on a variety of factors. The high school grade-point average (GPA) accounts for approximately two-thirds of the decision. The remaining one-third is based on other factors. What are those "other factors?" Your work experience, personal statement and entrance essay, extracurricular activities are some.

Let me be honest, it's not terribly important where you get your BSN (don't pay too much, it's not worth it) however what you want to be sure and do is find out what the school's NCLEX passing percentage is i.e. how many graduates of the nursing program successfully completed the national nursing test (NCLEX). I've supplied you with a link which you may use to compare passing rates at different nursing schools in CO. If your school is not listed then contact the individual program directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Schools with very high pass rates suggest a rigorous and demanding curriculum. That may or may not be what you're looking for... Students enrolled in such a program must meet very stringent demands, the assignments and exams are probably intense, you may feel that too much is being asked of you, students are expected to conform i.e. strict attendance, tardiness not tolerated, group projects, etc. They often have higher passing percentages on the NCLEX because they weed out the weaker students so effectively during the course i.e. many students won't graduate.

Schools with very low pass rates suggest a less structured program which you may or may not like i.e. you'll engage in more independent study and learning, less oversight and direction from instructors. Students enrolled in such a school may flunk out or not pass the NCLEX because they are unmotivated and/or are poor independent learners. These schools will consequently have higher graduation rates because they don't aggressively weed out the weaker students who are then ill prepared for the NCLEX. Many students end up taking it 2 or 3 times in order to pass.

So, there are several things to consider when deciding which school is better or "best." Best for YOU is really what you want to think about. What is important to you? Does the school atmosphere work for you'? Visit each school and take a tour. Ask to talk to some faculty and students. Does the school feel "too big and impersonal" or "too small, without enough support"?

Consider distance as well. How far is the school (and the hospitals used for clinical rotations) from your home in TIME as well as in MILES (fuel consumption). Clinicals often start @6:45 am. Remember, time spent in traffic is time unavailable for other things like studying, writing papers and working (if you will work) TIME is going to become a VERY important commodity while in any training curriculum so distance to and from school and clinicals may have a significant impact on your GPA and your ability to meet deadlines.

How are the clinicals scheduled? Will you go every week and if so then how many actual hours will you be assigned? To become a confident nurse you'll need adequate clinical experience as well as book work to prepare you for the NCLEX.

Does the school offer a mentoring program? What kind of tutoring is available?

What is the credit per hour cost? Adds up quite quickly if you're the one paying especially if you're applying as an out of state student.

What kind of student aid will you qualify for if any?

Is there a rental program for text books or are you forced to buy them all?

What online classes are offered? They can be great for getting many prerequisites out of the way but not so great for the actual nursing classes.

Once there, if you find you need help or advice look for a study group, mentor, or online support group at the school you're attending.

3. Who should pursue Nursing Anesthesia and what's it like becoming one?

See link below for my answer to that question.

Best of luck in your future educational endeavors William.

Becoming a nurse anesthetist (CRNA)?

Becoming a nurse anesthetist (CRNA)?

This is a highly competitive field. You need to start now by keep your grades as high as possible. If your associates degree will be a ADN (RN degree) then you will need to apply to a university to get your BSN, and then you will have to apply for grad school to get your MSN, and be eligible to listed as a CRNA.

If your associates is not in nursing, then you will still need to become a RN and I suggest getting your Bachelors and not your ADN.

Most grad schools require you to have worked as a RN, in critical and or intensive care units for at least one year before entering the program. After completing the program you must take an National Certification exam.

While in the CRNA program you will find it hard to work a regular job because the hours and training are so demanding, on average 40hrs a week for school, and keep in mind your grades to get in. You must do the absolute best to be able to compete.

GOOD LUCK

What are the differences between physician assistants and nurse practitioners?

What are the differences between physician assistants and nurse practitioners?

Career: Advanced-Practice Nurses

You wake up one morning with awful flu symptoms and call your doctor. Unfortunately, she’s out of town, but the nurse practitioner (NP) is available instead. The NP examines you, cultures your throat, writes a prescription, and sends you on your way to recovery.

Today’s advanced-practice nurses (including NPs) perform tasks once reserved for medical doctors. They assist other medical professionals and manage patient care. And some specialize in fields such as pediatrics (working with children and teens) and oncology (working with cancer patients).

Advanced-practice nurses diagnose and treat illnesses and provide health care. Most are also certified to prescribe medication.

“I can't call the doctors at the hospital for every decision I need to make. I was hired to make these decisions by myself.”

Joan, Nurse Practitioner

Are You Ready To...?

Take an extra two or three years of postgraduate study to specialize

Pass a specialty test in addition to the National Council Licensure Exam

Examine and counsel patients

Diagnose health problems

Write prescriptions

Observe rigid guidelines to protect yourself and others against disease and work-related dangers

Possibly start your own practice

It Helps to Be...

Caring, sympathetic, detail-oriented, and able to make quick, logical decisions. You must be able to cope with emergencies, stress, and suffering -- and remain levelheaded all the while. You'll encourage patients to get well and, sometimes, help them to let go.

Make High School Count

Take plenty of challenging math and science courses all through high school.

Enhance your communication skills through English composition, drama, and speech classes.

Study a foreign language so you’ll be able to reach out and communicate with different communities and patients.

Volunteer at a health clinic, a hospital, a women’s clinic, or an eldercare facility.

Did You Know?

Certified registered nurse anesthetists are advanced-practice nurses who give patients medication before surgery to prevent pain.

Outlook

Government economists expect job growth for registered nurses, including advanced-practice nurses, to be much faster than the average for all careers through 2014. A continued nursing shortage combined with the number of nurses nearing retirement should result in many job openings.

Thanks to new technology, nurses will be providing patients with improved medical treatments and preventive care. More jobs will be available outside of hospitals as medical procedures and treatments are increasingly done in doctors' offices to cut costs.

Compensation

In its 2003 salary survey, the journal ADVANCE for Nurse Practitioners found that the average annual salary of full-time nurse practitioners was $69,203. Nurse practitioners with their own practices earn the most at $94,313.

Average annual salaries by specialty are listed below:

Emergency: $80,697

Neonatal: $73,796

Gerontology: $70,507

Surgery: $69,506

Mental health: $68,628

Pediatric: $67,303

Family practice: $66,276

Obstetrics/gynecology: $65,963

Career: Physician Assistants

You won’t have a “Dr.” in front of your name as a physician assistant (PA). But it’s the next best thing to being there. As a PA, you’ll do much of what doctors do, from giving checkups and diagnosing illness to prescribing medication. While technically you’ll be under a doctor’s supervision, you’ll work very independently most of the time.

If you’re passionate about health care and have the personality and desire to be out there on the front lines, becoming a physician assistant may be just the path for you.

Physician assistants practice medicine under a doctor's supervision, doing almost everything that doctors do.

Did You Know?

It takes almost as long to become a PA as it does to become a physician. The average PA program takes 111 weeks to complete; medical school takes 155 weeks.

Are You Ready To...?

Examine and treat patients

Diagnose illness

Prescribe medication

Work under a doctor’s supervision

Continue studying throughout your career

It Helps to Be...

A science whiz who likes school -- you’ll be there for quite a while. An ability to work on your own with confidence is also critical.

Make High School Count

Let science be your guide. Building a solid foundation in challenging biology, chemistry, and physics courses will put you ahead of the game when you start college.

Take speech. Being able to communicate clearly with patients and coworkers is an important part of a PA’s job.

Enroll in a university health sciences summer program for high school students or compete for a free place in your state’s Governor’s School for the sciences.

Volunteer with the local hospital or another health care provider to see if this is really the life for you.

Become a peer counselor at your school.

Did You Know?

PAs can prescribe medications in forty-seven states and the District of Columbia.

Outlook

Government economists expect physician assisting to be the fourth-fastest-growing field through 2014.

The most opportunities will be found in rural and inner-city clinics, which have trouble attracting physicians.

Compensation

The average yearly income for physician assistants in 2005 was $71,070, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

California PA programs -

California NP programs -

Also on this date Wednesday, January 1, 2025...