Quickest route to (CRNA) Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist?

What is the quickest route to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. I know the requirements already.
A Bachelor鈥檚 of Science in Nursing (BSN) or other appropriate baccalaureate degree.
A current license as a registered nurse.
At least one year鈥檚 experience in an acute care nursing setting.
Graduation from an accredited graduate school of nurse anesthesia.
And pass a national certification examination following graduation. But what is the quickest way to get all of this done?

I am thinking of going to a community college to get an associate and then take the RN test and then get into a RN to BSN program which is 1 year, so I would have my BSN in 3 years. Then get a job at a hospital (how long does it take before one can work in an acute care nursing setting?) work in like the ER for a year then apply to a graduate school of nursing, and it would take like 3 years to get my masters then take the test to be a CRNA.

Or

1 week agoWhen I go in to the RN to BSN program I work as a part time nurse and do school part time. I would get my BSN in 4 years but I would already have the one year experience so I would not have to wait a year before apply to graduate school.
Which is better? Or do you have another shorter route? How long does it take for a new RN to be able to work in an acute setting.

Thats great you want to be a CRNA! You are right it will take about 4 years to get your BSN or about 5 years if you do the bridge RN to BSN program from a CC.
To get into a CRNA school you must have excellent grades and at least one to two year experience in acute care. This can mean ER PAC NICU ICU CCU ect, depends on the school and what the consider acute care.
I know of some people who got accepted with just one year experience and did just fine in CRNA school. Remember getting in will be more competetive then you imagine, think you know? Now triple that!
There is no short cut or fast track into CRNA school (which last 3 years) Get to know the schools you want to apply to, talk with them how you can increase you odds, I think they also like PALS and other certificates like that, check with the school
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You could go to an assoc. program, start working in an ICU to get your requisite year of experience while working on your BSN. In theory, this would take 3 years at the least. However, some associate programs take longer than 2 years to complete. Keep this in mind when looking for ADN programs, also make sure they are NLNAC accredited.

As far as work, some nurses believe one should work med/surg for a year before doing ICU. I believe this is an antiquated idea as health care has become very specialized. If you are sure you want to be a CRNA, go to ICU. Specifically, a big cardiovascular/surgical ICU. Do not go to the ER or PACU. The CRNA schools are looking for specific things that you will experience in the big ICUs every day like ventilator management, titrating drips, swan-ganz readings and interpretation. You just don't get enough experience in the ER or PACU. The hospital I work for will hire you into the ICU right out of school and even has an intern/extern program so check out your local hospitals. I would try and talk to a unit manager while you are in school to perhaps get a foot in the door.

Keep in mind, CRNA school is extremely competitive and I can't stress this enough. There are people applying that have master's degrees, NP's, and even some med school behind them. You have to bring the whole package. Grades, GRE scores, CCRN cert., a personal committment that you are able to communicate well and great experience. Many applicants have to apply 2 and 3 years in a row to get in. You will learn more as you progress but there is no shortcut.

Oh, and one other thing. Make sure you know what being a CRNA is all about. Try to shadow one for a day. Many people pursue this career because the money is good but believe me, CRNA's earn every penny. Good Luck!
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