Looking at Nursing?

OK, what I am trying to do is make sure I completely understand the progress required to become a Nurse (and, theoretically, eventually a Nurse Anesthetist).

1. Get a Associate Degree in Nursing; AND / OR
--- ( This, I am assuming, is an ADN. )
2. Get a Bachelors Degree in Science in Nursing
--- ( This, I am assuming, is an BSN. )

STOP: Is it best to get both, one of the two [ADN, BSN] (which?... I'd assume my potential choice of Nurse Anesthetist has an impact on that).

3. Become a licensed registered nurse (RN);
4. Get at least one year of critical-care nursing experience;
5. Join and pass an accredited Nurse Anesthetist program;
6. Pass a national certification exam (required every 2 years).

Am I correct?

As well, out of curiousity, if anyone who answers became a Nurse, or a Nurse Anesthetist, etc... I'd be interested to know what schools you attended and how you were financially after going all through it (debt)...

Thanks!

I am in an ADN program and will be graduating in December 07 (two more months!). I plan on doing the 3-year RN to BSN to MSN program and be a Nurse Practitioner =) after getting about a year and a half work experience.

Anyway, my Plan A was to apply for a BSN program at a University near where I live but the waiting list was long (1 1/2 years) and I didn't want to wait that long so I proceeded to Plan B: apply for an ADN program at the nearby community college (which is very established, with graduates very well-liked by the local hospitals) and I got in without hassle.

SO since my Plan A is to get the BSN, I would suggest that you try applying for a BSN FIRST and if things don't go as planned, go for the ADN. You DO NOT HAVE to get both degrees if you do BSN, but if you graduate ADN you have to get your BSN before you can even apply for the Nurse Anesthetist (NA) program.

You DON'T necessarily need to have work experience to do the NA program. I have a friend who graduated BSN and directly went on to the NA program (I think the fact that he was also a Summa *** Laude helps).

It looks like you have all your research done, and you have a great plan for your future. I truly wish you all the best =)

I recommend getting a BSN because it is closer to your goal. if you get and ADN you might have to take a few courses before you apply to the BSN bridge program which is for RN's wanting a BSN. after the BSN then you could apply to the CRNA program, its shorter if you go straight into BSN.