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    Re: Should I take CRNA or AA route? Archived Message

    Posted by max on October 10, 2008, 7:03 pm, in reply to "Re: Should I take CRNA or AA route?"

    Also I want to add a few more things since I was faced with the same decision as you not too long ago. You seem to be leaning CRNA and that's fine, but I really think AA is an excellent choice in your case.

    First off you already have a non-nursing bachelor's with all AA prereqs. Also with your grades and MCAT you have a great chance of getting accepted to an AA school.

    The question is do you think the additional available jobs for CRNAs are good enough reason to spend an extra 2+ years of your life? Do you want to stay in FL? (seems like you do) Keep in mind that AA job opportunities are only going to get better - not worse. If you become a CRNA and wind up working somewhere that also employs AA's (at the same pay mind you), will you feel that those extra 2-3 years were wasted? What if you find a place that employs AAs but not CRNAs? (Don't think that this is impossible).

    Basically my recommendation is this: Apply to both AA schools and accelerated BSNs. That way you can keep your options open. If you get accepted to an AA school, you can think about either going to it or taking the 2+ year longer route on the "gamble" that the job you want will only be available for CRNAs (those odds will be continually decreasing every year).


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