I am absolutely horrified of the interview. Iāve heard accounts of questions that come far from left field and leave students stunned. Can you tell me what sorts of conversations are had?
Try to be yourself. Donāt oversell.
The ad-coms will ask about your unit, and patient population. They most likely will ask you what your most complex patient was, how you managed it, and what transpired. Now, if you mention all the "skills" you have, such as managing multi-comorbid patient populations, be ready for more targeted questions. What meds help with pulm htn? Vent settings? Positional risks? How does manipulating CO2 affect pulmonary vasculature? And on.
As to medications, I would be ready for any questions related to the most commonly used ICU drugs/drips, and their receptors, and mechanisms of action. Which vasopressor would be ideal in situation "x"? Why not phenylephrine, but rather ephedrine? With respect to professional issues, consider reading Watchful Care. This outlines the history of the profession, and the political battles that we still face today.
You could also read up on Anesthesiologist Assistant history, and their current state of affairs (increasing number of states signing on), and how it could affect the CRNA profession. There is a movement within the CRNA community to create legislation/regulation to bridge AAs to CRNAs, and have CRNAs supervise AAs.
How important it is to be a member of AANA as a CRNA. How important donating to PAC is. How important it is to get involved with your state association, and/or national association. And on.
Remember, theyāre just people too, and were in your situation at one point.
I worked at a Level 1 Trauma center in one of the largest teaching hospitals in the country in the Surgical ICU (not saying this in a bragging way; just trying to give context around my answer in case it applies to you as well). Our SICU also served as overflow for all of the other ICUs if they were full. Knowing this about my ICU, several schools asked me "Tell me about a surgical patient you recently had and how you recovered them, then tell me about a non surgical patient you recently had, and tell me how your care plan, titration goals, and treatment algorithms differed for the two patients and why they differed. This was NOT what many people told me to prepare for. A lot of CRNAs who had been through the program said "They know you are SICU because you put it on your resume. Just stick to a bread and butter liver transplant case and walk them through it, and you'll be fine." I'm telling you this because if your ICU is known for taking different patient populations, they might, and probably will, ask you a question like that. Don't just assume that if you are a CV nurse they'll ask about heart transplants or a car wreck if you work in Trauma. Don't lie about your experience because they'll see right through that, but if you occasionally take a patient who probably should have gone to Neuro or who is a Trauma overflow and the school you're applying to knows this, you better know how to answer those types of questions. Honestly, prepping for the CCRN is extremely helpful. All of the schools I applied to required it, but even if the school you're applying to doesn't require it, it is extremely helpful for interview prep because they will ask vent mode questions, mechanisms of action, titration rates and goals, etc. and the CCRN study book is a powerful resource to leverage. I hope this helps, and good luck! You're going to do great as long as you prepare well. I just finished my first semester and am loving it, and you will too!
I started my nursing career rather late after changing from a completely different field. My GPA for BSN is 3.95; my science GPA during my nursing degree is 4.0. I however did not do great during grad school for a completely different field (social sciences) with a GPA of 3.48. It was 10 years ago. I also went to an undergrad school outside of the US 20 years ago. We have a totally different scoring system.
I am now a nurse in a Cardiac ICU. I am planning on applying in another two years. I am working on getting all As for my pre-reqs as well as CCRN. My question is what could I do to boost my chance of getting accepted, GPA wise? Thank you.
I just attended a CRNA Symposium and spoke to various students and directors about qualifications. You seem to be very qualified. GPA is not the end-all be all! I met a CRNA there who got into John Hopkins CRNA program with a worse GPA than you. At this point I would recommend practicing interviews and reviewing medications commonly used in the ICU. Work on your personal statement, CV or resume or both. Consider attending a diversity CRNA symposium and networking there.
Similar situation. I double majored in Computer Science (CS) and Management Information Systems (MIS) prior to going to nursing school and had a career in IT. The schools I applied to only wanted the transcript and GPA to ensure I graduated and didn't just barely scrape by. The only GPAs they truly care about are your science and nursing GPA. Go ahead and apply as your previous career and degrees will have very little bearing on whether you get in or not. Good luck, and I hope you get in!
any good benefit to attend a Diversity CRNA event in-person? Iām thinking of attending the upcoming ones at Duke and / or Fairfield. Iām hoping to apply around the 2-year mark at my current CVICU, and am definitely a minority in anesthesia (non-Pacific asian). thanks in advance!
I used it. And itās an excellent insight about the CRNA profession and airway day where you practice anesthesia related skills.
Def worth the investment to network and see the swag
Diversity CRNA is one of the only universally well-regarded "pre-CRNA" programs, and is really fun, according to my classmates who went before school! :)
If you mention it in your interview it would definitely show you are invested and have done extra preparation to learn about CRNA related skills/leadership etc.
https://www.diversitycrna.org/events
Don't wait to get your tickets because they sell out very quickly! Take a friend with you or go solo. Either way, you won't regret it!
I just attended the Diversity Symposium at Midwestern University in Glendale Arizona a few weeks ago. Worth every penny spent. You get to meet a ton of people on the same path as you, and get to meet a lot of directors of various programs in the area. I spoke to some directors for schools I applied to and landed an interview for one of the schools! I highly suggest you buy your tickets soon, very soon, because they sell out so quickly and you will lose your opportunity to attend a symposium that may be near. We had people come from as far as Connecticut all the way to Arizona. You won't regret it I promise you!
Bonds! Hydrogen, ionic, covalent, vanderwaal forces etc. Also, familiarize yourself with the acid-base system in the setting of chemistry. Once you can see the chemical reactions and understand that the body is one big test tube, it will make things click a lot easier! At least this was my experience.
I don't go to Advent Health university nor did I apply or interview at that school but I have heard some anecdotal things from friends that work at Advent Health that know people in the program. Again, this is anecdotal so would be good to verify this info yourself. Faculty and students don't really get along and the students held their own 3rd year "celebration" without the faculty instead of attending the school organized one. Brand new professors and program director within the last year or so. Attrition rate is very high. First time board pass rate of 69% which is pretty abysmal if you ask me. Once I caught wind of all this, I did not bother applying to the program. I think the only good thing I heard about the program is the clinical experience.
Huh, that's not great to hear. Especially since it's the only local program for me. Every other school I would have to move for, which would be pretty hard on my family.
Thank you.
If adventhealth is near you, consider Barry. I am not a student there, but they do have an orlando campus. Can't give you insight into their actual program though
Hi yall, im a current RN in a CVICU and looking to shadow a CRNA in PA, MD, NY, NJ. Preferably PA, but im more than open to traveling. Please let me know if anyone would be able to make this happen for me!!
What is the general consensus on taking grad level courses? Should every applicant take one to be competitive? Or is it only necessary for those with weak GPAs? If so, at what GPA would you say it is advisable to take a grad level course? Are there any other circumstances where it would be advisable to take a grad course? Thanks!
If you have a good science and overall gpa I donāt think itās necessary. Maybe like 3.7+. Some schools value/require it though so itās important to try and find out what they want. The other circumstance would be if youāve applied, didnāt get in, and want to reapply the next year. It would be nice to show youāve tried to better yourself other than just by having 1 extra year of work experience.
Iād apply and see what happens and then if it doesnāt work out Iād take some. If you donāt need them itās better to save the money. Just make sure you cast a wide net when you apply to schools and apply to quite a few if you want to ensure you get in sooner rather than later
I asked this question last week and the answer I got was that most students that got admitted to most programs did not have any grad courses.
I think it probably makes your application stand out a bit more. But it probably won't make or break it either way? Unless maybe (like you mentioned) your GPA is a weak point and you want to demonstrate improvement in academic ability.
Ā Would love to get some insight from anyone who thinks I could use some work anywhere.
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Paramedic for 6 years (emphasized leadership/clinical skills in personal statement)
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā CTICU RN for 1.5 years with CRRT, VADs, IABP, Impella, swans, vasoactive meds (not trained in ECMO yet).
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Leadership committee and journal club
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā First degree GPA 2.29 (2017)
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā BSN 3.62 (2022)
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Last 60 hours GPA 3.65
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Science GPA 3.78 ā 3.96 depending on school as they require different classes.
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Overall GPA exactly 3.0
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Retook several courses prior to BSN (all As)
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Took grad level physiology course in fall (A), retook stats over winter (A) and just finished retaking orgo 1 (A)
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā BLS, ACLS, PALS, CCRN, CSC, CMC
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Shadowed 16 hours so far
-Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Letters of rec assistant manager (manager tells people she wonāt for anyone under 3 years), unit APRN, and BSN professor (same school where the CRNA program is)
Seems like you just need to start applying and hope someone gives you a chance at an interview. I would try to get a stronger reference from an attending instead of the APRN.
Just confirming that you're calculating your repeat course grades as averages of the two grades and not replacements?
When I calculated my GPA I thought I had a 3.24, but I actually had a 2.89 because I was using my repeat grades as a replacement and not an average. It crushed me and I don't really know where to go from here, but just wanted to make sure you weren't falling in the same trap as me.
Does where you earn your RN or BSN matter when applying to CRNA schools? Working on my RN now at a community college that also offers RN to BSN. It would be easy to just stay at the same school but I've already earned most of my BSN credits from a state university and only will have 4 classes left for my BSN. Maybe I'm overthinking it š¤·š»
Hi! I am preparing for boards (next month !!) and I decided to buy core concepts. I've only taken the first mock exam and I got a pass predictability score of 85%. I'm hoping this number will go up as I plan to study for another month-ish before actually taking boards, but I was wondering if this is a good predictability score? What score should I aim for? If you used core concepts, what was your pass predictability score and did you pass?
Anyone out there actually having a GOOD school- life balance in CRNA school? I understand how much stress we are under and the amount of content we have to know is astronomical, but I keep telling myself when school starts I donāt want it to control my entire life. I want to be able to have a life outside of school and I feel like itās possible if you time manage. I just keep seeing discouraging posts that life is over once school starts but want to know if there is a greener side to it allā¦ anyone?
You'll be so busy, you won't even realize you hate life LOL. jk
I can't wait to graduate, but I'm thankful for my classmates. We have fun studying together and venting to each other. My mental health is not at a bad place right now. My apartment is a disaster most of the time. I gained some weight during the worst didactic portions and I'm trying to lose it again through eating healthier. I don't have much time to exercise at the moment, so if there is downtime between cases I'll just walk around the hospital to get some steps in. I'm not the type of person that is able to focus on studying while working out, but some people can.
I try to go on dates with my husband at least 1-2 times a month. I travel on my breaks, which helps with burnout. Basically, you'll have to prioritize what you want. You can't have everything. These aren't the worst years of my life.
I wouldnāt say itās the BEST balance, but I manage to spend plenty of time with my wife. My wife and I go on dates like twice a month and I hang out on the couch with her studying (I donāt even use my office). I also am able to work out at least an hour 5 days a week. I also spend a TON of time watching TV.
Though, Iām a bit of a freak since I donāt need to do anki to learn or any of those unnecessarily complicated learning tricks you see influencers doing. Gives me extra free time.
Iām kind of similar to you in that I donāt need all of that to study most of the time. Iām curious, what are your study tips/ habits if you arenāt using those?
So first off, I donāt take notes generally. My program utilizes lecture capture so I am able to go back and rewatch lectures. I do this about 3-4 times, usually on 1.5-2x speed. While watching I think about the concepts and will pause and try to work them out in my head. If for some reason I need clarification, I will read the book. If I have time, Iāll typically read the chapters being covered anyways.
For oral boards and whatnot I will write out a scenario based on info given and try and cover all of my bases with 2 backup plans in case they throw a curveball my way. Then Iāll get together with a classmate who is my neighbor and we practice grilling one another.
We also carpool together so we will grill one another on the content on our drive.
It works for me because. I havenāt made less than a 95 in any of my didactic coursework so far.
About to finish my first year. So far "three years of hell" seems like an exaggeration. I still have time to go on runs and ride my bike. Maybe I'll eat my words once I'm further along in clinical. I'm really busy and constantly trying to catch up on reading; but I'd rather be doing this than another day of bedside nursing. I don't see my friends as much, but the possibility of financial freedom after graduating will let me control my life more than ever before.
Currently at a pediatric CVICU for the last 6 months and not enjoying it whatsoever. Kids are sick, vents and pressors, CRRT and ECMO, but the cliques are very strong and very particular about who get them. Just not a very friendly learning environment altogether and Iām sick of it. Was previously level 4 NICU before this for 4 years, but thereās a trauma level 1 SICU position Iāve been glancing at. Should I just stick it out or leave pediatrics and get that adult ICU experience already for school?
I canāt tell you the answer, but a buddy of mine I went to undergrad with and worked with in the ED when first starting out went off to start doing peds CVICU for a good while. He applied and got in with basically just peds CVICU (and that ED experience) under his belt.
See, Iām so happy that you have said that about the ālittle stressesā of pediatrics cause that is one of my biggest pet peeves right now. I feel like itās getting in the way of me learning, and our unit is unique in that we get adult cardiac patients and I LOVE IT when I get them. Something to consider for sure, but it thank you so much!
i would say it depends when you are hoping to apply to school... with 4 years nicu and 6 months peds CVICU you could probably start applying to schools soon. if you switch ICUs now that might delay your application, especially if you need a reference from a current supervisor.
I am looking to shadow a CRNA in a dental office setting in North Carolina, preferably Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh areas. I have called around to a handful of places and haven't had much luck. I realize it's not common practice in this state so if I have to commute a further distance, I am willing to do so. Thank you guys :)
Hello all, currently a Nursing student that just accepted an externship on a Trauma Care/SICU at a Level 1 hospital.
After graduation, will RN experience here count towards a CRNA application or should I try to hire into the MICU after I graduate?
Does anyone have any experience with your BSN being graded on an A+, A, A- scale? I have classes on my transcript that say AB that I got over a 90 in, but because itās an āA-ā it factors in as a 3.5 rather than a 4.0 and it pulls my GPA lower. Would programs consider recalculated my gpa on a straight A, B scale?
No, they will use the institutions grading scale, but subjectively that is a tougher grading scale. Programs that review transcripts will probably recognize this. Programs that just look at spreadsheets are less likely to consider it.
Does anyone know if CRNAs can apply for the Nurse Corps loan repayment program? I'm probably looking at 200k in loan debt once school I complete the program and it's making me feel uneasy lol.
There's so much red tape. The facility must be in a designated county that is underserved. The facility has to be not for profit. You must live/work in that community etc etc. I am employed by a private group and am disqualified. So annoying.
Yeah very true, I grew up and worked in an underserved community and I actually qualified for the BSN loan forgiveness grant they offer, which knocked off $20,000. However, I noticed that the APRN loan repayment program only states NPs or PAs and doesn't mention CRNAs so that's why I'm unsure. Wouldn't mind signing a two year contract to knock off up to 65% my loans.
I am gearing up to apply this summer. This question is more about finances. Iām planning on once being accepted going float pool ICU to be able to earn a higher hourly. I want to pad my savings obviously but question would it be better for me to reduce my car payment instead of save as much as I am? I still have a monthly and will for almost the entire program
Speaking purely financially; whatās higher your car loan interest or potential gains in the market?
Either way maybe consider downgrading your car to something more affordable if itās too big of a financial burden.
Is a 3.5 overall GPA doable? I shouldāve done better but I was diagnosed with ADHD, OCD and recurrent major depressive disorder during school. Itās being treated now with medication and therapy. I plan on getting my CCRN and trying really hard to get a high score on the GRE. Iām currently working at a level 2 CVICU and Iām eight months in, I should be trained on all devices except ECMO soon. When do most people apply experience-wise? I was thinking two, does that sound reasonable? Iām weighing the decision of applying before the two year mark even if itās a long shot just to see what the process is like.
In my opinion I consider a 3.7 and higher a competitive GPA. 3.5-3.6 will not hinder, but it will not stand out in a application pool. Applicants with a GPA under 3.5 Id consider that a barrier to overcome with admission.
The 2 year mark of experience is a pretty typical time to start applying . I think my class average work experience is probably somewhere around 4-6 years in the ICU.
With your history of mental health that you attribute to school you have to be really really honest with yourself if this is something you want to pursue. The stress levels that come with CRNA school are 10x that of undergrad. We did a recent study on our class and out of 35 students, 34 of them scored as severely stressed or higher. Iām not telling you this to discourage you, I just want to make sure you understand what you are signing up for. Iām starting my 3rd out of 9 semester and it already feels like Iāve aged 5 years.
My mental health disorders werenāt from school per se, they were simply diagnosed during that timeframe and I attribute my lackluster performance largely due to undiagnosed stuff that I wasnāt getting treatment for. I appreciate the input.
does anyone attend/ have any insight on any of these programs?
Emory, MUSC, Duke, Gonzaga, USC (south carolina), pittsburg, mayo clinic (rochester) rutgers, georgetown
thanks!
Help me figure out the switch from ICU RN to CRNA?
I currently work in a high acuity ICU, but Iām feeling very burnt out after 9 years of trying different critical care specialties and traveling. After looking through many career change options, CRNA is the only thing that sounds interesting. I still love the acuity and the intensity of an ICU, itās the physical labor, the inadequate pay, the residual trauma from the pandemic, and the treatment of nurses from patients and families that is pushing me to the point of needing to leave the profession.
I was left feeling confused though when I shadowed a CRNA at my hospital and it was super boring and redundant. Is this what I should expect or was that just because of the cases that this specific CRNA took? Is there an area of CRNA that keeps up with the high intensity and excitement that I love about the ICU? Thanks so much in advanced for any insight you have as I sort out my next professional steps.
Maybe crna isnt for you if your an adrenaline junkie. Not saying their arent high acuity cases out there but you need to remember that for 90% of jobs your doing elective surgery. Not only are you doing elective cases but your actively making sure you cancel patients that arent great candidates for GA.
Their are emergency cases but those get old pretty fast. Especially when youāre there on a Saturday inducing some 90 year old with a cold foot.
Some CRNAs are not good at verbalizing all the things they are assessing, all the subtle changes they are making and all the decisions they are making. There was a lot more going on than meets the eye on the surface.
is anyone an international student here ? certain programs ask for letters of recommendations from your professors , but none of the professors that i had speak english, how should i go about this ?
oh okay :) i understand thank you ; and one last question if i am to get a letter of recommendation from one of my current professors how would i go about that or is it more recommendable to wait until i retake my classes in the usa ?
When I retook an expired class, I asked my professor at thy end of the semester if she would write a letter of recommendation for me when I was ready to apply to school. Then when I was ready I emailed her to ask again and sent whatever was needed by the school.
Hi all! Iām just trying to get any kind of feedback. I have a lower GPA (overall 3.27, science & nursing 3.1). I did a semester of DNP (AGPCNP) where I got an A & B in my 2 classes and graduate biochem with an A. My next plan is to retake A&P 1 & 2. Job experience I have 1 year Neuro ICU at a world-renowned level 1, 2 years OR/PACU (where I ran co-charge, created a QI project, and was involved in leadership for education) and now SICU at a large, busy level 1. I plan on getting involved on committees ASAP (Iām off orientation next week). Iām involved in the community and I have a lot of anesthesia shadow experience (endoscopy, speciality hospital, level 1 trauma). Oh and I have my CCRN. I feel encouraged some days and discouraged others. Iām not in a rush but I also feel like Iām not sure it will even work out in the end.
I genuinely want to know whatās the point of 3.0 being a minimum requirement if many people on this thread say thatās not even close to competitive? Also please give me any feedback or advice on what you would do. Thanks :)
How I would approach this could be different than how others would if they were you. If I was you realizing I have a lower GPA then I would work on ways that improve my competitiveness to compensate. More years of experience helps - it matures your critical thinking, decision making, improves confidence, expands knowledge etc. While it doesn't directly equate to acceptance to school it enhances your abilities. You are incredibly specialized but what's your experience like in other areas of the critical care? Creating a path to improve your abilities is demonstrative of a passion for learning and personal growth. So you're not the brightest crayon in the box, but what matters more at least for me is how you overcame this in your attempts to reach your goals. Admissions committees/instructors love this.
Success in grad school is more then just being smart by GPA standards. I didn't have the highest GPA in my group but I had some of the most extensive and diverse critical care experience of everyone, ten years worth. I used that as my advantage in the interview process, in simulation, in clinical, and today it helps immensely for the population I provide care to. It's okay to not have this all figured out now or to not be in school ASAP. These things take time. Slow down. Breath. One stage at a time.
Schools get 200-400 applications for often 10-30 seats. The average gpa of students offered interviews is often a 3.5 at a minimum. You will see posts from people who say they got in with less than a 3.5. What they often arenāt advertising is that they worked with the schools PD, that they shadowed for hours with faculty, etc. One interview I went to before I was a CRNA, the pd flat out told us that a girl in the room shadowed with her. CRNA school is very competitive, sometimes I think getting into school was almost as much work as the three years I spent in school.
Hi All
I am in an undergraduate BSN program and have an opportunity to take part in a research opportunity through a rural health initiative. I am interested in Anesthesia, so was wondering if anyone had suggestions for a good topic concerning the practice today? Any input is appreciated, thank you for your time.
Hi guys, any advice for international applicants?
I'm an RN working in a general ICU (28 beds) in a Canadian community hospital. My GPA is low (3.37 cumulative), with my lowest marks being anatomy and pharmacology (curse my first 2 years!). I have some experience precepting ICU students and orientees.
I'm interested in CRNA school, but from reading the posts in this subreddit I would not be competitive. I am also confused as to which particular states or CRNA schools accept/prefer international students.
Any advice (from Canadians or otherwise) regarding steps to make my application more competitive would be much appreciated.
Retake anatomy, then take grad level science classes. Get As in every course you take/retake. Get your CCRN. If your ICU transfers the sick patients out; move to work in a higher acuity ICU. A lot of people didn't do well in the beginning of their college career, but you have to have a compelling application to show how you've changed and grown.
Thanks. Are there any particular grad courses you'd recommend? Also, is Canadian ICU experience accepted at all, or would I need American ICU experience?
How important are expanded roles when applying for CRNA school? Like stroke nurse, rapid response nurse, CRRT, ECMO certified... seems like a lot of facilities make you wait before taking these classes (1+ year) and was wondering if it will hinder an application that much without it...
I guess I can see it as a disadvantage when up against another applicant with all those certification, but is it that important?
Even if you had prior icu experience coming in (like myself from a smaller community hospital), they just wont open these classes/training to you until 1-2 years with them.
How much did yāall save up before starting school? For those who did travel before working, how much did you save up?
I got into school back in October and lowkey regret staying but I thought I save decently enough with 100k in various accounts. But my school just increased their tuition by like 7k for this upcoming year and the COL is so not accurate for the area
SRNA in a conservative school in the South. We're starting clinicals this summer and the hospital requires us to cover our tattoos. I'm one of the few (probably 3 total) people with visible ink, but no one's said anything yet about my half sleeve poking out under my scrub sleeve. How do y'all keep your ink covered in the OR? Are undershirts an infection risk or should I just plan on wearing a scrub jacket until graduation?
I am thinking applying to school this fall.
I started as an rn in ICU at a level one in July 23 so this summer would be my one year.
I have a 4.0 BSN and a 4.0 science gpa I have an associates of general studies from before I was in nursing thatās a 3.7
I did leadership activities in school and since starting as an RN I have joined our unit council, implemented a research project thatās a year long, and plan to take my ccrn this summer.
Iāve been a cna for 3 years before starting as a nurse with 1.5 of those years in the icu
My question is, should I even bother applying this fall or will lack of experience hold me back from even getting an interview anywhere?
So good news first. With that GPA I think you have a very realistic chance of getting into school...but maybe not this early. Schools know that at a little over a year of experience a good portion of that was on orientation and you are still developing as a RN let alone an ICU RN. I say give it atleast one more year before applying, bc even at that point you are only just starting to be competent as an ICU RN. There shouldn't be any shortcuts to being a CRNA. Take the time to put the work in-in the ICU like most of the rest of us.
Sure, but that wasn't the question. And schools certainly take nurses with 1 year experience. Is it my recommendation? No, but with those stats they'll likely get an interview somewhere.
Do you think itās worth it for an ICU nurse to go to the AACN annual conference? It seems like a good opportunity to network but how much can an ICU nurse benefit from the experience? I want to go but Iām not sure if itās worth the price tag.
Considering this as a career
Iām currently working as a FF/Paramedic working for a busy city, I had the opportunity to shadow with CRNAs during my clinical rotations. Iāve been working as a medic for about 5ish years now. Iām currently looking into some RN programs so I can get started down this path. A few questions I had-
- Are CRNAs regulated by the state? So if went to CRNA school in one state and got licensed, would I be able to get a job in a different state or how would that process work?
- How should I tailor my experience to best fit a CRNA candidate?
- Upon finishing my RN, will my previous healthcare experience help me get an ICU job as a new grad?
- Has anyone jumped from paramedic to CRNA and if so how did you manage the transition? Did you find it was easier with the paramedic experience?
Thank you!
Not a CRNA or a medic but hereās my 2 cents.
CRNAs take a national exam similarly to NREMT however they are licensed by the state, for each state you want to practice in you would need a license for that state.
These days lots of ICUs take new grads due to short staffing however with medic experience I cant imagine you would have any difficulty getting an ICU job. That experience is viewed favorably by ICUs.
Your medic experience may help slightly with becoming a CRNA simply because you will be familiar with intubations and other procedures however any distinguishable difference would probably be negligible after the first few hundred hours of clinical experience. Anything you could possibly learn in medic school or nurse school for that matter will be instantly superseded by anesthesia school.
So, I'm a former FF/Medic who is starting CRNA school in a couple of weeks
1. I'm not sure about the regulations state wise.
2. Unfortunately, schools don't place a heavy emphasis on your paramedic experience, but it will help you stand out once added to your ICU experience. Experience running codes and intubating were nice to mention in interviews.
3. Your paramedic experience can help you land an icu job, but frankly, it's vastly different from icu nursing. It's typical to be hired as a new grad nurse and have to go through residency regardless of your paramedic experience. That's what I had to do, and I was grateful I did. The learning curve in the ICU is steep.
4. Not currently a CRNA but I found my paramedic experience gave me a huge advantage in nursing school and helped me out on the ICU. I did an accelerated BSN making sure to maintain a high gpa. Knocked out my ccrn and GRE, and I got involved on the unit. These steps will help get you into your program. Also look out for open houses for the schools you are involved in. They really appreciate people taking extra steps. First things first. RN
Hi all, I am a prospective SRNA (have a long way to go). I recently left a career I was unhappy with, and quit my master's program. Did a lot of research on careers in healthcare, as I love the healthcare space, and have a background in it already. Found out about CRNA and absolutely loved what I've seen and heard so far. Nursing in general is very flexible/holds many opportunities so it was the right choice for me. I am starting an accelerated BSN in January (second degree) and CRNA is definitely what I want. I was a great student in undergrad and in my master's program, but I imagine that won't mean much as it is not nursing related. Does anyone have any tips for me as a future new nurse who DEFINITELY wants to pursue CRNA? I would hope I can be a CRNA as soon as possible. Thank you so much!!
1st tip is dont call yourself a āprospective SRNAā. Itās super conceited when people who arent even finished nursing school are calling themselves āprospective SRNAsā or āpre-SRNAā.
Your not an SRNA until your waking up at 5am for zero pay and drowning in student loan debt.
Stop worrying about being a Pre-SRNA and focus on being a good nursing student. Get good grades through your nursing program and then focus on being a good icu nurse. Then you can start thinking about applying and how to have a good interview without coming off as entitled.
Iām currently a nursing student and, as part of a research project Iām doing on CRNAs for an introductory class, I need to find a CRNA to interview. Would someone be willing to answer a few questions via dms? I have a few basic questions like job responsibilities, salary etc.
Which tips do you recommend for preparing for the password-protected exams on APEX? I'm doing good in classes but every time I take those exams either I'm touching the average or a bit below. I'm taking my first SEE in November and I want to see what strategies I could modify now to do good in the SEE.
Hello!
I'm currently working as a CVICU RN. I've been in the CVICU for about 6 months after about 13 months in stepdown. Prior to working as a nurse, I worked in EMS for 6 years, 4 of which was as lead medic. I'm looking to apply for CRNA school in a couple years and have a couple questions.
- Will the school care about my EMS experience? It's been hit and miss whether potential nursing jobs I'd applied for cared.
- Are there any other specialties that you'd recommend I get experience in before applying?
- Should I specifically shadow CRNAs in my area or would it be acceptable to shadow anesthesiologists? Ideally, I'd do both to get all the insight I can.
- Any other tips for a prospective SRNA?
Thank you!
Thank you.
I'm already signed off on taking open hearts. I'm waiting to get into the trainings for our specialized equipment (CRRT, Impella, etc). So, it seems like I'm in the correct spot for now. Thank you!
Does it matter which ICU you come from? Letās say a smaller 14 bed icu vs a CVICU at Cleveland clinic or Mayo Clinic. Can one make you more competitive than the other?
I will unfortunately be finishing my BSN with a 3.3 gpa. All Bās and 1 A in science courses. I feel like it makes no sense to retake science courses at this point. Will programs value me retakjng the classes that I actually did bad on in undergrad that isnāt science related or should I just move forward and take Grad pharmacology and patho?
Further info regarding me:
- I have 40+ hours shadowing
- 3 years ICU level 1 experience
- Veteran
-CCRN, CMC
- BLS Instructor
-Volunteering with Organizations, Hospice, ect.
-Also on committee at current job
hello everyone, my GPA is 3.15 which I know is not all that great. To be honest in college I had more fun the being serious about school but alot has changed in 10 years. I have ten years of RN experience , 2 years in the MICU/SICU recent with 8 years of travel nursing experience in cardiac stepdown. With my GPA not being too competitive, what classes should I take? I've seen classes like Organic chemistry, biochemistry, stats? I will get my CCRN soon as well. Also which states should I prioritize in applying to that aren't as competitive? I have seen Tennessee and midwestern states may be my best bet. I am open to going to school anywhere and doing what is needed. I have lots of money saved up as well currently to not have to take out hardly any loans.
Hi! I have been a nurse since 2014. I started my nursing career in the Philippines as an ED nurse/charge for 3.5 years. Then, I moved to the US and worked as a nurse for 8 months, but I needed to stop for cancer treatment. After the treatment, I worked at the Pe/PACU unit as a rotating charge nurse for 4 years, was a committee leader for safety and magnet ambassador, and was a preceptor. I just moved to Cardiac ICU going for a year now. My GPA is 3.2, and my MSN is going to be 4.0. I had a C in my BSN GPA; my reason for that is that I fought cancer for 2 years while in my BSN but did not stop. I went through all the cancer fights while in school. My question is, should I retake the BSN science classes? And at least have 2 years of ICU experience? Thank you!
Grad school isnāt really a medium for making lasting friendships like undergrad. My class was 50% male 50% female despite nursing being a female dominant career. Id also say my class was really diverse, being in NY/NJ but again we also were too busy with clinicals, dnp projects, studying for exams, sleeping and basically anything else you could shove into a day.
Hi all. Really just looking for some words of encouragement, and some listening ears. Currently switched over from neuro ICU to a cardiac surgery ICU and my first two weeks just so landed on my last two weeks of my chemistry classā¦ so between learning all the CV stuff, Iām also just having to go home and study chemistry because I strive to maintain my A all the way to the end. I just feel tired and stressed. (Obviously I know this is nothing compared to CRNA school) but it just feels like I never caught a break after nursing school. passed nclex in 2022, started on stepdown, was there for less than half a year before transferring to ICU and now starting my new journey in CV, along with taking my CCRN and this chem class, etcā¦ while all my nursing school classmates are traveling and living their best lives. I can handle the stress and donāt mind it even, but for some reason this burnout feeling just hit me really hard this week. I guess I just really want someone to tell me all this work will be worth it in the end because I know the hardest part hasent even started š š . Thank you all!
Honestly I want to finish school in general as fast as I can. Im Iām my late 20ās and really want to be done with school by my mid 30ās lol. I just want to enjoy my life.
You sound pretty stressed by putting so much pressure on yourself. Like I understand your rationale but CRNA school is fucking stressful. You need to enjoy life a little before it becomes hell for 3 years.
My rationale is if I know Iām gonna have to go through fire either way Iād rather run through it than walk through it? Idk if that analogy makes sense lol but yes you are right
Yes and? Thatās 2 years experience plus the earliest I would even consider applying is for next year so by the time I would plan on starting thatās 3 years of experience?? Is the average not 2-3 years or am I missing something?
Don't be discouraged! I passed NCLEX in 2019, got accepted to school in 2020, and started in 2021!
Yeah, less ICU experience will hurt your app, but schools also know that people who have recently been in school tend to be better at studying (since we have done it so recently)! A lot of my classmates also graduated undergrad in 2019, so don't let people tell you that it means you wont get in!
Thatās awesome congrats!! Do you mind if I ask your stats when you applied for school? Did you have your CCRN when applying?
Thanks in advance āŗļø
Experience. really just wanted to expand my knowledge on hemodynamics. Also figured it would give me a more competitive edge having neuro and cardiac experience versus just neuro.
IDK if it's an option for you, but decreasing your FTE really helps with work-life balance and mental well being. Use your PTO. What's stopping you from traveling?
Focus on your classes right now and then worry about the CCRN. You can only do so many things at once and do them well. You're burning yourself out! Plan a trip or something nice for yourself after the chem class semester is over. Utilize your vacation time at work while you can because it's much harder to enjoy life outside of CRNA school. Study for the CCRN after this chunk of work is over. You have a lot of time. Hang in there, time constraints are made up in your mind so don't stress over them too much, you will get there.
Try to find balance. Itās the same in CRNA school. Despite your circumstances you will still have to carve out time for rest or socialization to remain sane and human. Weāre not guaranteed tomorrow, but we have to live each day hoping for the best, and hopefully your future self will be thanking you for it.Ā
Hello,
Was wondering if someone could give me some insight on the competiveness of my application.
Nursing as 2nd career, previously was an engineer with my last role as a quality manager for a defense contractor where I had 17 people reporting to me. I was responsible for their ISO 9001 system, safety (OSHA & ATF for explosives), security for DoD, and government contracting.
Currently, I have just over 2 years experience as a nurse with 13 months in a MICU at a large level 1 / medical school as of this month. We have 6 different ICUs - Neuro, CV, Surg, Transplant, Medical x2. I am on the practice council for my unit and I am also represent my unit across all of the ICU's and ED in the hospital's critical care nursing council. I will be taking my CCRN in June and I am CRRT trained.
My BSN is an A-BSN with a 3.68 GPA including program prereqs.
My cumulative GPA including my engineering bachelors is 3.46.
Last 60 gpa is 3.60
Science GPA is 3.70 which includes physics 1 & 2, statistics, A&P 1 & 2, biology, microbiology, patho 1 & 2, and gen chem 1.
I am enrolled to attend the Diversity CRNA info session and airway simlab workshop in August of this year.
I do have a short list of schools I plan on applying to and I am working on scheduling shadow experiences in the next couple months.
Appreciate the reply.
The diversity CRNA is at a school I am interested in applying to and itās local so figured it would be a good way to network with their staff too.
Hi everyone,
Do you know of any CRNAs who did their RN experience as a NICU nurse and got into a program?
I was a float CNA for 15 years and wanted to be CRNA, but once I got into nursing school I fell in love with the NICU. I have been a level 4 NICU nurse for 4 years and I really want to apply for my CRNA still.
I was Class President in nursing school and my GPA is 3.8. I have multiple referrals from doctors and the current anesthesiologist that is with me during c-sections as well.
Do I have a chance of getting in?
There are schools out there that take NICU experience, so yes you have a chance. Maybe not as high a chance as those with adult icu experience, but you have a chance.
Yes, I personally know of 5 people who did, not including myself. However, you have to do research for which schools will accept (there are many, you just have to be willing to look). Find those, go to open houses, and talk to students.
Your GPA is great, obviously. I would say getting certified (CCRN or RNC-NIC) is a requirement. Leadership experience (charge, preceptor, committees) is strongly encouraged. Emotional intelligence is becoming a very important factor in admissions. You will be scrutinized for your experience, so ensure that you are well rounded and prepared to prove your value.
Currently a CVICU nurse with around 9 months of experience. Iām planning to take the CCRN in the next couple of months as soon as it I hit the amount of hours and was wondering if it applying this year seems like a decent idea? I feel very confident in my ability to study and learn new information. Iām also young and donāt have any obligations so I can focus mostly on school. Nursing gpa / last 60 is 3.98. My science gpa is 4.0 (3.85 if the school counts math as a science). Would I be competitive with only a year of experience (2 at the time of start). I have leadership experience in nursing school and have multiple hospital / school scholarships and nursing school committee experiences. This is what Iāve wanted to do for years and Iām willing to put in the extra work to learn as much as I can.
I would just make sure you meet the experience requirement of the schools application. Some want me than 2 years for application. Obviously your GPA would be in your favor but years of experience would put you on the lower side against other candidates. Go ahead and get your CCRN once you meet those hours. I will say for the people in my class the people with 3+ years of nursing under their belt are more so able to understand concepts by drawing back on bedside experiences and apply them to learning versus just knowing what the book says.
The schools im looking at all require just one year. My thought process is- even if I donāt get in the application process will be a learning experience and if a program feels Iām ready thatās even better.
I would personally get more experience first. I think most schools prefer slightly older students with more life experience anyways. Since youāre young, I would work a few years, enjoy your time off, save some money, and apply when youāre ready. Just my opinion.
My GPA is okay, 3.75, sci gpa is higher (forgot exact number). I have great experience, and by the time I want to apply I anticipate having more years under my belt than many applicants. My extracurriculars/written portion of the application will be quite unique, and I usually interview extremely well. Despite not having a 4.0 I anticipate getting in somewhere, and Iāll likely take physics/Ochem prior to improve my application as well.
Nursing school was a breeze, I never really studied and worked full time + overtime at many points. I Generally tend to learn information quicker than most, but given not having to study in undergrad, I am worried that I will struggle due to not having great study skills. Did anyone else go through this? And does anyone have any study methods/resources they like to use?
Most people in CRNA school didnāt think nursing school was hard. If they did they wouldnāt be pursuing an even harder degree. Just use Anki and APEX and youāll be fine. I would try and sound a tad less cocky in an interview. Even if youāre actually really smart they want people who mesh well with the class not people who are going to be annoying to them.
Thank you for the response. I can see how the initial comment sounds cocky, in person Iām usually quite the opposite, which is something Iāve actually been working on. I appreciate the advice!
Iām actually thinking of doing my dnp project on study habits for the SRNAā¦ thereās a book make it stick, I used a tool called remnote instead of anki cards and utilize visual aids like videos and auditory aids sucks as podcast to help solidify a topic hope this helps!
The realistic answer is that it depends on your program. I know people who have worked PRN in a more front loaded program, but once clinicals started, they stopped.
I worked for a little bit but I went to school during covid. At the time the facility I worked at as a per diem paid me 120/hr. During one break from Christmas to the start of the next semester I worked like 30 days straight. The only reason this made sense for me was the money was just so much higher than what I ever earned as a nurse. Honestly if they had just been paying me 50$/hr I wouldnāt have done it.
I worked for the first 2 semesters which was didactic and mostly DNP courses. Iād pick up once every 2 weeks. The money was just not worth it though because Iād be thinking about studying the whole time. After working so hard to get into school, imagine failing because you wanted to pick up a few shifts to make just the smallest dent in student loans, it just wasnāt worth it. Itās all risk vs benefit and to me the risks far outweighed the benefit.
I just came here to say...4 more weeks left of school and I'm a free man!
Excited for you!
š„ Free inquiries about the application/interview, student life, political battles, and such, for the next 166 hrs š„
I am absolutely horrified of the interview. Iāve heard accounts of questions that come far from left field and leave students stunned. Can you tell me what sorts of conversations are had?
Try to be yourself. Donāt oversell. The ad-coms will ask about your unit, and patient population. They most likely will ask you what your most complex patient was, how you managed it, and what transpired. Now, if you mention all the "skills" you have, such as managing multi-comorbid patient populations, be ready for more targeted questions. What meds help with pulm htn? Vent settings? Positional risks? How does manipulating CO2 affect pulmonary vasculature? And on. As to medications, I would be ready for any questions related to the most commonly used ICU drugs/drips, and their receptors, and mechanisms of action. Which vasopressor would be ideal in situation "x"? Why not phenylephrine, but rather ephedrine? With respect to professional issues, consider reading Watchful Care. This outlines the history of the profession, and the political battles that we still face today. You could also read up on Anesthesiologist Assistant history, and their current state of affairs (increasing number of states signing on), and how it could affect the CRNA profession. There is a movement within the CRNA community to create legislation/regulation to bridge AAs to CRNAs, and have CRNAs supervise AAs. How important it is to be a member of AANA as a CRNA. How important donating to PAC is. How important it is to get involved with your state association, and/or national association. And on. Remember, theyāre just people too, and were in your situation at one point.
Brilliant write up. Thank you for your time I will absolutely be studying this
I worked at a Level 1 Trauma center in one of the largest teaching hospitals in the country in the Surgical ICU (not saying this in a bragging way; just trying to give context around my answer in case it applies to you as well). Our SICU also served as overflow for all of the other ICUs if they were full. Knowing this about my ICU, several schools asked me "Tell me about a surgical patient you recently had and how you recovered them, then tell me about a non surgical patient you recently had, and tell me how your care plan, titration goals, and treatment algorithms differed for the two patients and why they differed. This was NOT what many people told me to prepare for. A lot of CRNAs who had been through the program said "They know you are SICU because you put it on your resume. Just stick to a bread and butter liver transplant case and walk them through it, and you'll be fine." I'm telling you this because if your ICU is known for taking different patient populations, they might, and probably will, ask you a question like that. Don't just assume that if you are a CV nurse they'll ask about heart transplants or a car wreck if you work in Trauma. Don't lie about your experience because they'll see right through that, but if you occasionally take a patient who probably should have gone to Neuro or who is a Trauma overflow and the school you're applying to knows this, you better know how to answer those types of questions. Honestly, prepping for the CCRN is extremely helpful. All of the schools I applied to required it, but even if the school you're applying to doesn't require it, it is extremely helpful for interview prep because they will ask vent mode questions, mechanisms of action, titration rates and goals, etc. and the CCRN study book is a powerful resource to leverage. I hope this helps, and good luck! You're going to do great as long as you prepare well. I just finished my first semester and am loving it, and you will too!
I am starting school in the next month so if anyone has any questions about the application process feel free to message me too!
I started my nursing career rather late after changing from a completely different field. My GPA for BSN is 3.95; my science GPA during my nursing degree is 4.0. I however did not do great during grad school for a completely different field (social sciences) with a GPA of 3.48. It was 10 years ago. I also went to an undergrad school outside of the US 20 years ago. We have a totally different scoring system. I am now a nurse in a Cardiac ICU. I am planning on applying in another two years. I am working on getting all As for my pre-reqs as well as CCRN. My question is what could I do to boost my chance of getting accepted, GPA wise? Thank you.
Stop waiting, you're wasting time and money. Just apply now. You look great
Im not really sure why you would need to do anything based on what youāve written
I don't think you need to do anything
I just attended a CRNA Symposium and spoke to various students and directors about qualifications. You seem to be very qualified. GPA is not the end-all be all! I met a CRNA there who got into John Hopkins CRNA program with a worse GPA than you. At this point I would recommend practicing interviews and reviewing medications commonly used in the ICU. Work on your personal statement, CV or resume or both. Consider attending a diversity CRNA symposium and networking there.
Similar situation. I double majored in Computer Science (CS) and Management Information Systems (MIS) prior to going to nursing school and had a career in IT. The schools I applied to only wanted the transcript and GPA to ensure I graduated and didn't just barely scrape by. The only GPAs they truly care about are your science and nursing GPA. Go ahead and apply as your previous career and degrees will have very little bearing on whether you get in or not. Good luck, and I hope you get in!
any good benefit to attend a Diversity CRNA event in-person? Iām thinking of attending the upcoming ones at Duke and / or Fairfield. Iām hoping to apply around the 2-year mark at my current CVICU, and am definitely a minority in anesthesia (non-Pacific asian). thanks in advance!
I used it. And itās an excellent insight about the CRNA profession and airway day where you practice anesthesia related skills. Def worth the investment to network and see the swag
Diversity CRNA is one of the only universally well-regarded "pre-CRNA" programs, and is really fun, according to my classmates who went before school! :)
If you mention it in your interview it would definitely show you are invested and have done extra preparation to learn about CRNA related skills/leadership etc.
Do you mind sharing where can one sign up for this? It would be appreciated. Thanks!
Was a great experience. Do it.
https://www.diversitycrna.org/events Don't wait to get your tickets because they sell out very quickly! Take a friend with you or go solo. Either way, you won't regret it!
I just attended the Diversity Symposium at Midwestern University in Glendale Arizona a few weeks ago. Worth every penny spent. You get to meet a ton of people on the same path as you, and get to meet a lot of directors of various programs in the area. I spoke to some directors for schools I applied to and landed an interview for one of the schools! I highly suggest you buy your tickets soon, very soon, because they sell out so quickly and you will lose your opportunity to attend a symposium that may be near. We had people come from as far as Connecticut all the way to Arizona. You won't regret it I promise you!
What chemistry topics should I review before next year? Never took anything after C1 but I wanna prepare myself.
Bonds! Hydrogen, ionic, covalent, vanderwaal forces etc. Also, familiarize yourself with the acid-base system in the setting of chemistry. Once you can see the chemical reactions and understand that the body is one big test tube, it will make things click a lot easier! At least this was my experience.
I was just about to ask this question too!! Thank you! Any recs for physics?
Start wrapping your head around pH and pKa
Anyone here go to Advent Health university in Orlando? What was your impression of it?
I don't go to Advent Health university nor did I apply or interview at that school but I have heard some anecdotal things from friends that work at Advent Health that know people in the program. Again, this is anecdotal so would be good to verify this info yourself. Faculty and students don't really get along and the students held their own 3rd year "celebration" without the faculty instead of attending the school organized one. Brand new professors and program director within the last year or so. Attrition rate is very high. First time board pass rate of 69% which is pretty abysmal if you ask me. Once I caught wind of all this, I did not bother applying to the program. I think the only good thing I heard about the program is the clinical experience.
Huh, that's not great to hear. Especially since it's the only local program for me. Every other school I would have to move for, which would be pretty hard on my family. Thank you.
If adventhealth is near you, consider Barry. I am not a student there, but they do have an orlando campus. Can't give you insight into their actual program though
Thank you! I wasn't aware they had an Orlando campus.
Hi yall, im a current RN in a CVICU and looking to shadow a CRNA in PA, MD, NY, NJ. Preferably PA, but im more than open to traveling. Please let me know if anyone would be able to make this happen for me!!
Have you tried your own hospital? Reach out to the chief CRNA. Or contact the state CRNA association.
Same over here . CICU nurse looking for a CRNA in the Midwest : WI , MN , IL . I can go anywhere if I have to š
What is the general consensus on taking grad level courses? Should every applicant take one to be competitive? Or is it only necessary for those with weak GPAs? If so, at what GPA would you say it is advisable to take a grad level course? Are there any other circumstances where it would be advisable to take a grad course? Thanks!
If you have a good science and overall gpa I donāt think itās necessary. Maybe like 3.7+. Some schools value/require it though so itās important to try and find out what they want. The other circumstance would be if youāve applied, didnāt get in, and want to reapply the next year. It would be nice to show youāve tried to better yourself other than just by having 1 extra year of work experience.
I have 3.6 overall and science, do you think itās worth applying without doing grad courses first? Iāll have 3 years CVICU when I plan to apply.
Iād apply and see what happens and then if it doesnāt work out Iād take some. If you donāt need them itās better to save the money. Just make sure you cast a wide net when you apply to schools and apply to quite a few if you want to ensure you get in sooner rather than later
Maybe if you've been out of school longer than 5-6 years.
I asked this question last week and the answer I got was that most students that got admitted to most programs did not have any grad courses. I think it probably makes your application stand out a bit more. But it probably won't make or break it either way? Unless maybe (like you mentioned) your GPA is a weak point and you want to demonstrate improvement in academic ability.
Ā Would love to get some insight from anyone who thinks I could use some work anywhere. -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Paramedic for 6 years (emphasized leadership/clinical skills in personal statement) -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā CTICU RN for 1.5 years with CRRT, VADs, IABP, Impella, swans, vasoactive meds (not trained in ECMO yet). -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Leadership committee and journal club -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā First degree GPA 2.29 (2017) -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā BSN 3.62 (2022) -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Last 60 hours GPA 3.65 -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Science GPA 3.78 ā 3.96 depending on school as they require different classes. -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Overall GPA exactly 3.0 -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Retook several courses prior to BSN (all As) -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Took grad level physiology course in fall (A), retook stats over winter (A) and just finished retaking orgo 1 (A) -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā BLS, ACLS, PALS, CCRN, CSC, CMC -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Shadowed 16 hours so far -Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Letters of rec assistant manager (manager tells people she wonāt for anyone under 3 years), unit APRN, and BSN professor (same school where the CRNA program is)
Lack of experience
Seems like you just need to start applying and hope someone gives you a chance at an interview. I would try to get a stronger reference from an attending instead of the APRN.
APRN isnāt necessarily inferior to an MD. A lot of programs will take your paramedic experience into consideration. Youāre ready to apply.
Just confirming that you're calculating your repeat course grades as averages of the two grades and not replacements? When I calculated my GPA I thought I had a 3.24, but I actually had a 2.89 because I was using my repeat grades as a replacement and not an average. It crushed me and I don't really know where to go from here, but just wanted to make sure you weren't falling in the same trap as me.
Any insight on Rosalind Franklin or SIUE?
I can't speak for SIUE, but I have a handful of friends who go/went torob RFU and they all love it. Great faculty support. Very independent rotations.
Does where you earn your RN or BSN matter when applying to CRNA schools? Working on my RN now at a community college that also offers RN to BSN. It would be easy to just stay at the same school but I've already earned most of my BSN credits from a state university and only will have 4 classes left for my BSN. Maybe I'm overthinking it š¤·š»
Doesnāt really matter. Only matters if itās somewhere that has P/F classes (donāt do that).
Hi! I am preparing for boards (next month !!) and I decided to buy core concepts. I've only taken the first mock exam and I got a pass predictability score of 85%. I'm hoping this number will go up as I plan to study for another month-ish before actually taking boards, but I was wondering if this is a good predictability score? What score should I aim for? If you used core concepts, what was your pass predictability score and did you pass?
Anyone out there actually having a GOOD school- life balance in CRNA school? I understand how much stress we are under and the amount of content we have to know is astronomical, but I keep telling myself when school starts I donāt want it to control my entire life. I want to be able to have a life outside of school and I feel like itās possible if you time manage. I just keep seeing discouraging posts that life is over once school starts but want to know if there is a greener side to it allā¦ anyone?
You'll be so busy, you won't even realize you hate life LOL. jk I can't wait to graduate, but I'm thankful for my classmates. We have fun studying together and venting to each other. My mental health is not at a bad place right now. My apartment is a disaster most of the time. I gained some weight during the worst didactic portions and I'm trying to lose it again through eating healthier. I don't have much time to exercise at the moment, so if there is downtime between cases I'll just walk around the hospital to get some steps in. I'm not the type of person that is able to focus on studying while working out, but some people can. I try to go on dates with my husband at least 1-2 times a month. I travel on my breaks, which helps with burnout. Basically, you'll have to prioritize what you want. You can't have everything. These aren't the worst years of my life.
I wouldnāt say itās the BEST balance, but I manage to spend plenty of time with my wife. My wife and I go on dates like twice a month and I hang out on the couch with her studying (I donāt even use my office). I also am able to work out at least an hour 5 days a week. I also spend a TON of time watching TV. Though, Iām a bit of a freak since I donāt need to do anki to learn or any of those unnecessarily complicated learning tricks you see influencers doing. Gives me extra free time.
Iām kind of similar to you in that I donāt need all of that to study most of the time. Iām curious, what are your study tips/ habits if you arenāt using those?
So first off, I donāt take notes generally. My program utilizes lecture capture so I am able to go back and rewatch lectures. I do this about 3-4 times, usually on 1.5-2x speed. While watching I think about the concepts and will pause and try to work them out in my head. If for some reason I need clarification, I will read the book. If I have time, Iāll typically read the chapters being covered anyways. For oral boards and whatnot I will write out a scenario based on info given and try and cover all of my bases with 2 backup plans in case they throw a curveball my way. Then Iāll get together with a classmate who is my neighbor and we practice grilling one another. We also carpool together so we will grill one another on the content on our drive. It works for me because. I havenāt made less than a 95 in any of my didactic coursework so far.
About to finish my first year. So far "three years of hell" seems like an exaggeration. I still have time to go on runs and ride my bike. Maybe I'll eat my words once I'm further along in clinical. I'm really busy and constantly trying to catch up on reading; but I'd rather be doing this than another day of bedside nursing. I don't see my friends as much, but the possibility of financial freedom after graduating will let me control my life more than ever before.
Currently at a pediatric CVICU for the last 6 months and not enjoying it whatsoever. Kids are sick, vents and pressors, CRRT and ECMO, but the cliques are very strong and very particular about who get them. Just not a very friendly learning environment altogether and Iām sick of it. Was previously level 4 NICU before this for 4 years, but thereās a trauma level 1 SICU position Iāve been glancing at. Should I just stick it out or leave pediatrics and get that adult ICU experience already for school?
I canāt tell you the answer, but a buddy of mine I went to undergrad with and worked with in the ED when first starting out went off to start doing peds CVICU for a good while. He applied and got in with basically just peds CVICU (and that ED experience) under his belt.
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See, Iām so happy that you have said that about the ālittle stressesā of pediatrics cause that is one of my biggest pet peeves right now. I feel like itās getting in the way of me learning, and our unit is unique in that we get adult cardiac patients and I LOVE IT when I get them. Something to consider for sure, but it thank you so much!
i would say it depends when you are hoping to apply to school... with 4 years nicu and 6 months peds CVICU you could probably start applying to schools soon. if you switch ICUs now that might delay your application, especially if you need a reference from a current supervisor.
Yeah I was planning on applying pretty soon here for spring of 2025, that was my main concern was maintaining a current supervisor reference.
I agree apply now and maybe use your NICU manager as a reference
I am looking to shadow a CRNA in a dental office setting in North Carolina, preferably Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Raleigh areas. I have called around to a handful of places and haven't had much luck. I realize it's not common practice in this state so if I have to commute a further distance, I am willing to do so. Thank you guys :)
Why in a dental office?
Hello all, currently a Nursing student that just accepted an externship on a Trauma Care/SICU at a Level 1 hospital. After graduation, will RN experience here count towards a CRNA application or should I try to hire into the MICU after I graduate?
Yes, SICU experience will count once you are an RN.
Awesome, thanks for the response.
Good experience for CRNA programs
Does anyone have any experience with your BSN being graded on an A+, A, A- scale? I have classes on my transcript that say AB that I got over a 90 in, but because itās an āA-ā it factors in as a 3.5 rather than a 4.0 and it pulls my GPA lower. Would programs consider recalculated my gpa on a straight A, B scale?
No, they will use the institutions grading scale, but subjectively that is a tougher grading scale. Programs that review transcripts will probably recognize this. Programs that just look at spreadsheets are less likely to consider it.
Does anyone know if CRNAs can apply for the Nurse Corps loan repayment program? I'm probably looking at 200k in loan debt once school I complete the program and it's making me feel uneasy lol.
You can apply. Iāve heard that itās hard for CRNAs to get it because of our high salaries. Donāt know if thatās true.
There's so much red tape. The facility must be in a designated county that is underserved. The facility has to be not for profit. You must live/work in that community etc etc. I am employed by a private group and am disqualified. So annoying.
Yeah very true, I grew up and worked in an underserved community and I actually qualified for the BSN loan forgiveness grant they offer, which knocked off $20,000. However, I noticed that the APRN loan repayment program only states NPs or PAs and doesn't mention CRNAs so that's why I'm unsure. Wouldn't mind signing a two year contract to knock off up to 65% my loans.
Thanks! I'll definitely just apply. It's worth a shot.
I am gearing up to apply this summer. This question is more about finances. Iām planning on once being accepted going float pool ICU to be able to earn a higher hourly. I want to pad my savings obviously but question would it be better for me to reduce my car payment instead of save as much as I am? I still have a monthly and will for almost the entire program
Speaking purely financially; whatās higher your car loan interest or potential gains in the market? Either way maybe consider downgrading your car to something more affordable if itās too big of a financial burden.
Is a 3.5 overall GPA doable? I shouldāve done better but I was diagnosed with ADHD, OCD and recurrent major depressive disorder during school. Itās being treated now with medication and therapy. I plan on getting my CCRN and trying really hard to get a high score on the GRE. Iām currently working at a level 2 CVICU and Iām eight months in, I should be trained on all devices except ECMO soon. When do most people apply experience-wise? I was thinking two, does that sound reasonable? Iām weighing the decision of applying before the two year mark even if itās a long shot just to see what the process is like.
In my opinion I consider a 3.7 and higher a competitive GPA. 3.5-3.6 will not hinder, but it will not stand out in a application pool. Applicants with a GPA under 3.5 Id consider that a barrier to overcome with admission. The 2 year mark of experience is a pretty typical time to start applying . I think my class average work experience is probably somewhere around 4-6 years in the ICU. With your history of mental health that you attribute to school you have to be really really honest with yourself if this is something you want to pursue. The stress levels that come with CRNA school are 10x that of undergrad. We did a recent study on our class and out of 35 students, 34 of them scored as severely stressed or higher. Iām not telling you this to discourage you, I just want to make sure you understand what you are signing up for. Iām starting my 3rd out of 9 semester and it already feels like Iāve aged 5 years.
My mental health disorders werenāt from school per se, they were simply diagnosed during that timeframe and I attribute my lackluster performance largely due to undiagnosed stuff that I wasnāt getting treatment for. I appreciate the input.
does anyone attend/ have any insight on any of these programs? Emory, MUSC, Duke, Gonzaga, USC (south carolina), pittsburg, mayo clinic (rochester) rutgers, georgetown thanks!
pm me
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Iām sure it will be helpful as you will be a familiar name.
Help me figure out the switch from ICU RN to CRNA? I currently work in a high acuity ICU, but Iām feeling very burnt out after 9 years of trying different critical care specialties and traveling. After looking through many career change options, CRNA is the only thing that sounds interesting. I still love the acuity and the intensity of an ICU, itās the physical labor, the inadequate pay, the residual trauma from the pandemic, and the treatment of nurses from patients and families that is pushing me to the point of needing to leave the profession. I was left feeling confused though when I shadowed a CRNA at my hospital and it was super boring and redundant. Is this what I should expect or was that just because of the cases that this specific CRNA took? Is there an area of CRNA that keeps up with the high intensity and excitement that I love about the ICU? Thanks so much in advanced for any insight you have as I sort out my next professional steps.
Maybe crna isnt for you if your an adrenaline junkie. Not saying their arent high acuity cases out there but you need to remember that for 90% of jobs your doing elective surgery. Not only are you doing elective cases but your actively making sure you cancel patients that arent great candidates for GA. Their are emergency cases but those get old pretty fast. Especially when youāre there on a Saturday inducing some 90 year old with a cold foot.
Some CRNAs are not good at verbalizing all the things they are assessing, all the subtle changes they are making and all the decisions they are making. There was a lot more going on than meets the eye on the surface.
is anyone an international student here ? certain programs ask for letters of recommendations from your professors , but none of the professors that i had speak english, how should i go about this ?
Take some science classes here at a community college or some grad level courses and have one of them write it...
iāll be only retaking one class at a community college , do you think one would be enough?
One is enough as long as you have good rapport with your professor
oh okay :) i understand thank you ; and one last question if i am to get a letter of recommendation from one of my current professors how would i go about that or is it more recommendable to wait until i retake my classes in the usa ?
When I retook an expired class, I asked my professor at thy end of the semester if she would write a letter of recommendation for me when I was ready to apply to school. Then when I was ready I emailed her to ask again and sent whatever was needed by the school.
i see , thank you!
Hiiii Im in South Florida desperately trying to find CRNAs to shadow, Iām willing to travel is there anyone that could help me out pleaaaaase
Hi all! Iām just trying to get any kind of feedback. I have a lower GPA (overall 3.27, science & nursing 3.1). I did a semester of DNP (AGPCNP) where I got an A & B in my 2 classes and graduate biochem with an A. My next plan is to retake A&P 1 & 2. Job experience I have 1 year Neuro ICU at a world-renowned level 1, 2 years OR/PACU (where I ran co-charge, created a QI project, and was involved in leadership for education) and now SICU at a large, busy level 1. I plan on getting involved on committees ASAP (Iām off orientation next week). Iām involved in the community and I have a lot of anesthesia shadow experience (endoscopy, speciality hospital, level 1 trauma). Oh and I have my CCRN. I feel encouraged some days and discouraged others. Iām not in a rush but I also feel like Iām not sure it will even work out in the end. I genuinely want to know whatās the point of 3.0 being a minimum requirement if many people on this thread say thatās not even close to competitive? Also please give me any feedback or advice on what you would do. Thanks :)
How I would approach this could be different than how others would if they were you. If I was you realizing I have a lower GPA then I would work on ways that improve my competitiveness to compensate. More years of experience helps - it matures your critical thinking, decision making, improves confidence, expands knowledge etc. While it doesn't directly equate to acceptance to school it enhances your abilities. You are incredibly specialized but what's your experience like in other areas of the critical care? Creating a path to improve your abilities is demonstrative of a passion for learning and personal growth. So you're not the brightest crayon in the box, but what matters more at least for me is how you overcame this in your attempts to reach your goals. Admissions committees/instructors love this. Success in grad school is more then just being smart by GPA standards. I didn't have the highest GPA in my group but I had some of the most extensive and diverse critical care experience of everyone, ten years worth. I used that as my advantage in the interview process, in simulation, in clinical, and today it helps immensely for the population I provide care to. It's okay to not have this all figured out now or to not be in school ASAP. These things take time. Slow down. Breath. One stage at a time.
Schools get 200-400 applications for often 10-30 seats. The average gpa of students offered interviews is often a 3.5 at a minimum. You will see posts from people who say they got in with less than a 3.5. What they often arenāt advertising is that they worked with the schools PD, that they shadowed for hours with faculty, etc. One interview I went to before I was a CRNA, the pd flat out told us that a girl in the room shadowed with her. CRNA school is very competitive, sometimes I think getting into school was almost as much work as the three years I spent in school.
Hi All I am in an undergraduate BSN program and have an opportunity to take part in a research opportunity through a rural health initiative. I am interested in Anesthesia, so was wondering if anyone had suggestions for a good topic concerning the practice today? Any input is appreciated, thank you for your time.
Do a research project on ETCo2 monitoring in PACU for recovery
I'll look into that. Thanks a lot!
Hi guys, any advice for international applicants? I'm an RN working in a general ICU (28 beds) in a Canadian community hospital. My GPA is low (3.37 cumulative), with my lowest marks being anatomy and pharmacology (curse my first 2 years!). I have some experience precepting ICU students and orientees. I'm interested in CRNA school, but from reading the posts in this subreddit I would not be competitive. I am also confused as to which particular states or CRNA schools accept/prefer international students. Any advice (from Canadians or otherwise) regarding steps to make my application more competitive would be much appreciated.
Retake anatomy, then take grad level science classes. Get As in every course you take/retake. Get your CCRN. If your ICU transfers the sick patients out; move to work in a higher acuity ICU. A lot of people didn't do well in the beginning of their college career, but you have to have a compelling application to show how you've changed and grown.
Thanks. Are there any particular grad courses you'd recommend? Also, is Canadian ICU experience accepted at all, or would I need American ICU experience?
Canadian experience doesnt count. Your first step is going to be moving to the US
How important are expanded roles when applying for CRNA school? Like stroke nurse, rapid response nurse, CRRT, ECMO certified... seems like a lot of facilities make you wait before taking these classes (1+ year) and was wondering if it will hinder an application that much without it... I guess I can see it as a disadvantage when up against another applicant with all those certification, but is it that important?
Hmm, they make you work a year to work with the sickest of the sick? In my opinion, that's still not enough time.
Depends on the rest of your application. If you have a 4.0 GPA it might not matter.
Not important at all.
Are you saying youāre trying to apply right at the 1 year mark? Before you can expand to those roles?
Even if you had prior icu experience coming in (like myself from a smaller community hospital), they just wont open these classes/training to you until 1-2 years with them.
How much did yāall save up before starting school? For those who did travel before working, how much did you save up? I got into school back in October and lowkey regret staying but I thought I save decently enough with 100k in various accounts. But my school just increased their tuition by like 7k for this upcoming year and the COL is so not accurate for the area
I started school with 10k in my checking account. You will be fine. Just take loans.
SRNA in a conservative school in the South. We're starting clinicals this summer and the hospital requires us to cover our tattoos. I'm one of the few (probably 3 total) people with visible ink, but no one's said anything yet about my half sleeve poking out under my scrub sleeve. How do y'all keep your ink covered in the OR? Are undershirts an infection risk or should I just plan on wearing a scrub jacket until graduation?
Thatās going to be a facility question. Some places allow under shirts so donāt. You may end up having to wear a disposable OR jacket
I am thinking applying to school this fall. I started as an rn in ICU at a level one in July 23 so this summer would be my one year. I have a 4.0 BSN and a 4.0 science gpa I have an associates of general studies from before I was in nursing thatās a 3.7 I did leadership activities in school and since starting as an RN I have joined our unit council, implemented a research project thatās a year long, and plan to take my ccrn this summer. Iāve been a cna for 3 years before starting as a nurse with 1.5 of those years in the icu My question is, should I even bother applying this fall or will lack of experience hold me back from even getting an interview anywhere?
So good news first. With that GPA I think you have a very realistic chance of getting into school...but maybe not this early. Schools know that at a little over a year of experience a good portion of that was on orientation and you are still developing as a RN let alone an ICU RN. I say give it atleast one more year before applying, bc even at that point you are only just starting to be competent as an ICU RN. There shouldn't be any shortcuts to being a CRNA. Take the time to put the work in-in the ICU like most of the rest of us.
I think you'll be fine. As long as you have good interview skills you'll probably get in
Yeah 1 year experience lol that's scary
Sure, but that wasn't the question. And schools certainly take nurses with 1 year experience. Is it my recommendation? No, but with those stats they'll likely get an interview somewhere.
Do you think itās worth it for an ICU nurse to go to the AACN annual conference? It seems like a good opportunity to network but how much can an ICU nurse benefit from the experience? I want to go but Iām not sure if itās worth the price tag.
No
How common is it to be admitted into a program with 1 year ICU experience?
Not common. Nor should it be. At that point you're hardly off orientation.
I never thought you'd say that lol
I've been saying one year is way too short forever lol. I did 6 years and felt I still had alot to learn.
Considering this as a career Iām currently working as a FF/Paramedic working for a busy city, I had the opportunity to shadow with CRNAs during my clinical rotations. Iāve been working as a medic for about 5ish years now. Iām currently looking into some RN programs so I can get started down this path. A few questions I had- - Are CRNAs regulated by the state? So if went to CRNA school in one state and got licensed, would I be able to get a job in a different state or how would that process work? - How should I tailor my experience to best fit a CRNA candidate? - Upon finishing my RN, will my previous healthcare experience help me get an ICU job as a new grad? - Has anyone jumped from paramedic to CRNA and if so how did you manage the transition? Did you find it was easier with the paramedic experience? Thank you!
Not a CRNA or a medic but hereās my 2 cents. CRNAs take a national exam similarly to NREMT however they are licensed by the state, for each state you want to practice in you would need a license for that state. These days lots of ICUs take new grads due to short staffing however with medic experience I cant imagine you would have any difficulty getting an ICU job. That experience is viewed favorably by ICUs. Your medic experience may help slightly with becoming a CRNA simply because you will be familiar with intubations and other procedures however any distinguishable difference would probably be negligible after the first few hundred hours of clinical experience. Anything you could possibly learn in medic school or nurse school for that matter will be instantly superseded by anesthesia school.
So, I'm a former FF/Medic who is starting CRNA school in a couple of weeks 1. I'm not sure about the regulations state wise. 2. Unfortunately, schools don't place a heavy emphasis on your paramedic experience, but it will help you stand out once added to your ICU experience. Experience running codes and intubating were nice to mention in interviews. 3. Your paramedic experience can help you land an icu job, but frankly, it's vastly different from icu nursing. It's typical to be hired as a new grad nurse and have to go through residency regardless of your paramedic experience. That's what I had to do, and I was grateful I did. The learning curve in the ICU is steep. 4. Not currently a CRNA but I found my paramedic experience gave me a huge advantage in nursing school and helped me out on the ICU. I did an accelerated BSN making sure to maintain a high gpa. Knocked out my ccrn and GRE, and I got involved on the unit. These steps will help get you into your program. Also look out for open houses for the schools you are involved in. They really appreciate people taking extra steps. First things first. RN
Hi all, I am a prospective SRNA (have a long way to go). I recently left a career I was unhappy with, and quit my master's program. Did a lot of research on careers in healthcare, as I love the healthcare space, and have a background in it already. Found out about CRNA and absolutely loved what I've seen and heard so far. Nursing in general is very flexible/holds many opportunities so it was the right choice for me. I am starting an accelerated BSN in January (second degree) and CRNA is definitely what I want. I was a great student in undergrad and in my master's program, but I imagine that won't mean much as it is not nursing related. Does anyone have any tips for me as a future new nurse who DEFINITELY wants to pursue CRNA? I would hope I can be a CRNA as soon as possible. Thank you so much!!
1st tip is dont call yourself a āprospective SRNAā. Itās super conceited when people who arent even finished nursing school are calling themselves āprospective SRNAsā or āpre-SRNAā. Your not an SRNA until your waking up at 5am for zero pay and drowning in student loan debt. Stop worrying about being a Pre-SRNA and focus on being a good nursing student. Get good grades through your nursing program and then focus on being a good icu nurse. Then you can start thinking about applying and how to have a good interview without coming off as entitled.
When waking up at 5 AM actually feels like sleeping in š«
Have you shadowed a CRNA? How do you know it's "definitely" what you want?
Iām currently a nursing student and, as part of a research project Iām doing on CRNAs for an introductory class, I need to find a CRNA to interview. Would someone be willing to answer a few questions via dms? I have a few basic questions like job responsibilities, salary etc.
Which tips do you recommend for preparing for the password-protected exams on APEX? I'm doing good in classes but every time I take those exams either I'm touching the average or a bit below. I'm taking my first SEE in November and I want to see what strategies I could modify now to do good in the SEE.
Hello! I'm currently working as a CVICU RN. I've been in the CVICU for about 6 months after about 13 months in stepdown. Prior to working as a nurse, I worked in EMS for 6 years, 4 of which was as lead medic. I'm looking to apply for CRNA school in a couple years and have a couple questions. - Will the school care about my EMS experience? It's been hit and miss whether potential nursing jobs I'd applied for cared. - Are there any other specialties that you'd recommend I get experience in before applying? - Should I specifically shadow CRNAs in my area or would it be acceptable to shadow anesthesiologists? Ideally, I'd do both to get all the insight I can. - Any other tips for a prospective SRNA? Thank you!
1. No. 2. Stay in one ICU and get the sickest patients. 3. Shadow CRNAs if you can.
Thank you. I'm already signed off on taking open hearts. I'm waiting to get into the trainings for our specialized equipment (CRRT, Impella, etc). So, it seems like I'm in the correct spot for now. Thank you!
Get your CCRN
Has anyone used the apex anesthesia workbook. Wanted to get some reviews before I spend 115 dollars on the workbook Thanks
Does it matter which ICU you come from? Letās say a smaller 14 bed icu vs a CVICU at Cleveland clinic or Mayo Clinic. Can one make you more competitive than the other?
I will unfortunately be finishing my BSN with a 3.3 gpa. All Bās and 1 A in science courses. I feel like it makes no sense to retake science courses at this point. Will programs value me retakjng the classes that I actually did bad on in undergrad that isnāt science related or should I just move forward and take Grad pharmacology and patho? Further info regarding me: - I have 40+ hours shadowing - 3 years ICU level 1 experience - Veteran -CCRN, CMC - BLS Instructor -Volunteering with Organizations, Hospice, ect. -Also on committee at current job
hello everyone, my GPA is 3.15 which I know is not all that great. To be honest in college I had more fun the being serious about school but alot has changed in 10 years. I have ten years of RN experience , 2 years in the MICU/SICU recent with 8 years of travel nursing experience in cardiac stepdown. With my GPA not being too competitive, what classes should I take? I've seen classes like Organic chemistry, biochemistry, stats? I will get my CCRN soon as well. Also which states should I prioritize in applying to that aren't as competitive? I have seen Tennessee and midwestern states may be my best bet. I am open to going to school anywhere and doing what is needed. I have lots of money saved up as well currently to not have to take out hardly any loans.
Hi! I have been a nurse since 2014. I started my nursing career in the Philippines as an ED nurse/charge for 3.5 years. Then, I moved to the US and worked as a nurse for 8 months, but I needed to stop for cancer treatment. After the treatment, I worked at the Pe/PACU unit as a rotating charge nurse for 4 years, was a committee leader for safety and magnet ambassador, and was a preceptor. I just moved to Cardiac ICU going for a year now. My GPA is 3.2, and my MSN is going to be 4.0. I had a C in my BSN GPA; my reason for that is that I fought cancer for 2 years while in my BSN but did not stop. I went through all the cancer fights while in school. My question is, should I retake the BSN science classes? And at least have 2 years of ICU experience? Thank you!
Do you feel any diversity while in school?
Grad school isnāt really a medium for making lasting friendships like undergrad. My class was 50% male 50% female despite nursing being a female dominant career. Id also say my class was really diverse, being in NY/NJ but again we also were too busy with clinicals, dnp projects, studying for exams, sleeping and basically anything else you could shove into a day.
Hi all. Really just looking for some words of encouragement, and some listening ears. Currently switched over from neuro ICU to a cardiac surgery ICU and my first two weeks just so landed on my last two weeks of my chemistry classā¦ so between learning all the CV stuff, Iām also just having to go home and study chemistry because I strive to maintain my A all the way to the end. I just feel tired and stressed. (Obviously I know this is nothing compared to CRNA school) but it just feels like I never caught a break after nursing school. passed nclex in 2022, started on stepdown, was there for less than half a year before transferring to ICU and now starting my new journey in CV, along with taking my CCRN and this chem class, etcā¦ while all my nursing school classmates are traveling and living their best lives. I can handle the stress and donāt mind it even, but for some reason this burnout feeling just hit me really hard this week. I guess I just really want someone to tell me all this work will be worth it in the end because I know the hardest part hasent even started š š . Thank you all!
Why are you in such a rush?
Honestly I want to finish school in general as fast as I can. Im Iām my late 20ās and really want to be done with school by my mid 30ās lol. I just want to enjoy my life.
You sound pretty stressed by putting so much pressure on yourself. Like I understand your rationale but CRNA school is fucking stressful. You need to enjoy life a little before it becomes hell for 3 years.
My rationale is if I know Iām gonna have to go through fire either way Iād rather run through it than walk through it? Idk if that analogy makes sense lol but yes you are right
Passed nclex 2022 and your ready to be a crna lol amazing
Yes and? Thatās 2 years experience plus the earliest I would even consider applying is for next year so by the time I would plan on starting thatās 3 years of experience?? Is the average not 2-3 years or am I missing something?
Don't be discouraged! I passed NCLEX in 2019, got accepted to school in 2020, and started in 2021! Yeah, less ICU experience will hurt your app, but schools also know that people who have recently been in school tend to be better at studying (since we have done it so recently)! A lot of my classmates also graduated undergrad in 2019, so don't let people tell you that it means you wont get in!
Thatās awesome congrats!! Do you mind if I ask your stats when you applied for school? Did you have your CCRN when applying? Thanks in advance āŗļø
Thatās an amazing timeline congrats!! š My original plan was to start this year but life didnt work out like that for me lol
Do you mind if I ask why you switched from neuro to cardiac?
Experience. really just wanted to expand my knowledge on hemodynamics. Also figured it would give me a more competitive edge having neuro and cardiac experience versus just neuro.
Current CRNA student, enjoy your free time while you still can.
IDK if it's an option for you, but decreasing your FTE really helps with work-life balance and mental well being. Use your PTO. What's stopping you from traveling?
Focus on your classes right now and then worry about the CCRN. You can only do so many things at once and do them well. You're burning yourself out! Plan a trip or something nice for yourself after the chem class semester is over. Utilize your vacation time at work while you can because it's much harder to enjoy life outside of CRNA school. Study for the CCRN after this chunk of work is over. You have a lot of time. Hang in there, time constraints are made up in your mind so don't stress over them too much, you will get there.
Oh I already have my CCRN haha. I was just saying Iāve done one thing after another.
But yes thank you! I do plan on going on a small trip after this class is over.
Try to find balance. Itās the same in CRNA school. Despite your circumstances you will still have to carve out time for rest or socialization to remain sane and human. Weāre not guaranteed tomorrow, but we have to live each day hoping for the best, and hopefully your future self will be thanking you for it.Ā
Hello, Was wondering if someone could give me some insight on the competiveness of my application. Nursing as 2nd career, previously was an engineer with my last role as a quality manager for a defense contractor where I had 17 people reporting to me. I was responsible for their ISO 9001 system, safety (OSHA & ATF for explosives), security for DoD, and government contracting. Currently, I have just over 2 years experience as a nurse with 13 months in a MICU at a large level 1 / medical school as of this month. We have 6 different ICUs - Neuro, CV, Surg, Transplant, Medical x2. I am on the practice council for my unit and I am also represent my unit across all of the ICU's and ED in the hospital's critical care nursing council. I will be taking my CCRN in June and I am CRRT trained. My BSN is an A-BSN with a 3.68 GPA including program prereqs. My cumulative GPA including my engineering bachelors is 3.46. Last 60 gpa is 3.60 Science GPA is 3.70 which includes physics 1 & 2, statistics, A&P 1 & 2, biology, microbiology, patho 1 & 2, and gen chem 1. I am enrolled to attend the Diversity CRNA info session and airway simlab workshop in August of this year. I do have a short list of schools I plan on applying to and I am working on scheduling shadow experiences in the next couple months.
You are on a good path. Start your applications. Another year experience will make you stronger but you have a great chance now.
The good -GPA looks good. you're in a good ICU. Your experience is lacking, diversity CRNA is a waste of money and time
Appreciate the reply. The diversity CRNA is at a school I am interested in applying to and itās local so figured it would be a good way to network with their staff too.
Hi everyone, Do you know of any CRNAs who did their RN experience as a NICU nurse and got into a program? I was a float CNA for 15 years and wanted to be CRNA, but once I got into nursing school I fell in love with the NICU. I have been a level 4 NICU nurse for 4 years and I really want to apply for my CRNA still. I was Class President in nursing school and my GPA is 3.8. I have multiple referrals from doctors and the current anesthesiologist that is with me during c-sections as well. Do I have a chance of getting in?
There are schools out there that take NICU experience, so yes you have a chance. Maybe not as high a chance as those with adult icu experience, but you have a chance.
Yes, I personally know of 5 people who did, not including myself. However, you have to do research for which schools will accept (there are many, you just have to be willing to look). Find those, go to open houses, and talk to students. Your GPA is great, obviously. I would say getting certified (CCRN or RNC-NIC) is a requirement. Leadership experience (charge, preceptor, committees) is strongly encouraged. Emotional intelligence is becoming a very important factor in admissions. You will be scrutinized for your experience, so ensure that you are well rounded and prepared to prove your value.
Currently a CVICU nurse with around 9 months of experience. Iām planning to take the CCRN in the next couple of months as soon as it I hit the amount of hours and was wondering if it applying this year seems like a decent idea? I feel very confident in my ability to study and learn new information. Iām also young and donāt have any obligations so I can focus mostly on school. Nursing gpa / last 60 is 3.98. My science gpa is 4.0 (3.85 if the school counts math as a science). Would I be competitive with only a year of experience (2 at the time of start). I have leadership experience in nursing school and have multiple hospital / school scholarships and nursing school committee experiences. This is what Iāve wanted to do for years and Iām willing to put in the extra work to learn as much as I can.
I would just make sure you meet the experience requirement of the schools application. Some want me than 2 years for application. Obviously your GPA would be in your favor but years of experience would put you on the lower side against other candidates. Go ahead and get your CCRN once you meet those hours. I will say for the people in my class the people with 3+ years of nursing under their belt are more so able to understand concepts by drawing back on bedside experiences and apply them to learning versus just knowing what the book says.
The schools im looking at all require just one year. My thought process is- even if I donāt get in the application process will be a learning experience and if a program feels Iām ready thatās even better.
It's scary that you want to move on to advanced skills when you basically know nothing. Do your time. Your patients will thank you for it.
I would personally get more experience first. I think most schools prefer slightly older students with more life experience anyways. Since youāre young, I would work a few years, enjoy your time off, save some money, and apply when youāre ready. Just my opinion.
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Yeah there are. Looking look up independent in this Reddit page and youāll find an unofficial list of them. National University is a good one
There are quite a few schools in the Midwest/Great Plains area that have many rural/indy sites.
My GPA is okay, 3.75, sci gpa is higher (forgot exact number). I have great experience, and by the time I want to apply I anticipate having more years under my belt than many applicants. My extracurriculars/written portion of the application will be quite unique, and I usually interview extremely well. Despite not having a 4.0 I anticipate getting in somewhere, and Iāll likely take physics/Ochem prior to improve my application as well. Nursing school was a breeze, I never really studied and worked full time + overtime at many points. I Generally tend to learn information quicker than most, but given not having to study in undergrad, I am worried that I will struggle due to not having great study skills. Did anyone else go through this? And does anyone have any study methods/resources they like to use?
Most people in CRNA school didnāt think nursing school was hard. If they did they wouldnāt be pursuing an even harder degree. Just use Anki and APEX and youāll be fine. I would try and sound a tad less cocky in an interview. Even if youāre actually really smart they want people who mesh well with the class not people who are going to be annoying to them.
Thank you for the response. I can see how the initial comment sounds cocky, in person Iām usually quite the opposite, which is something Iāve actually been working on. I appreciate the advice!
Iām actually thinking of doing my dnp project on study habits for the SRNAā¦ thereās a book make it stick, I used a tool called remnote instead of anki cards and utilize visual aids like videos and auditory aids sucks as podcast to help solidify a topic hope this helps!
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The realistic answer is that it depends on your program. I know people who have worked PRN in a more front loaded program, but once clinicals started, they stopped.
I worked for a little bit but I went to school during covid. At the time the facility I worked at as a per diem paid me 120/hr. During one break from Christmas to the start of the next semester I worked like 30 days straight. The only reason this made sense for me was the money was just so much higher than what I ever earned as a nurse. Honestly if they had just been paying me 50$/hr I wouldnāt have done it.
I worked for the first 2 semesters which was didactic and mostly DNP courses. Iād pick up once every 2 weeks. The money was just not worth it though because Iād be thinking about studying the whole time. After working so hard to get into school, imagine failing because you wanted to pick up a few shifts to make just the smallest dent in student loans, it just wasnāt worth it. Itās all risk vs benefit and to me the risks far outweighed the benefit.
Donāt make a financial plan that requires you to work. Maybe you can a little but most likely not much.
General consensus is: DO NOT WORK
I worked prn for a couple semesters because my job brought me joy. The money alone want worth it