On The Heels of Trauma Tom

A thread was started several months ago by Trauma Tom that was very encouraging to those of us involved in the interview process, waiting for schools to accept us. I wanted to write to another group who may be in the shadows... those receiving rejection letters. Last year I applied to three schools and received two interviews but was turned down by both schools. I learned a great deal; what questions are asked, how to present myself, the demands of anesthesia education, and maybe most importantly.. the existance of allnurses.com. Obviously I was dissapointed that my goal to becoming a CRNA had been delayed by yet another year. So in the following nine months, I took a chemistry and graduate physiology class, increased my GRE scores, pass the CCRN, requested additional reference letters, and got involved in projects on my unit. This year I applied to six schools, went to four interviews, and got accepted by all four schools. What I want to tell my fellow applicants is that your destiny is primarily in your hands. Getting into graduate school is somewhat mechanical. There are predictable hoops to jump through which educators have determined best prepares one for such training. But it is also work. And as we teach my kids, ardues non malus est (latin: hard is not bad). So if you received one of those painful letters, I am sorry that your dreams have been delayed... one year. Reflect on how realistic CRNA career is for you. Take this time to do the things illustrated on this board (by many others) to make your application more competitive. Enjoy more time with family and friends. Then apply again. I wish you the best.

A thread was started several months ago by Trauma Tom that was very encouraging to those of us involved in the interview process, waiting for schools to accept us. I wanted to write to another group who may be in the shadows... those receiving rejection letters. Last year I applied to three schools and received two interviews but was turned down by both schools. I learned a great deal; what questions are asked, how to present myself, the demands of anesthesia education, and maybe most importantly.. the existance of allnurses.com. Obviously I was dissapointed that my goal to becoming a CRNA had been delayed by yet another year. So in the following nine months, I took a chemistry and graduate physiology class, increased my GRE scores, pass the CCRN, requested additional reference letters, and got involved in projects on my unit. This year I applied to six schools, went to four interviews, and got accepted by all four schools. What I want to tell my fellow applicants is that your destiny is primarily in your hands. Getting into graduate school is somewhat mechanical. There are predictable hoops to jump through which educators have determined best prepares one for such training. But it is also work. And as we teach my kids, ardues non malus est (latin: hard is not bad). So if you received one of those painful letters, I am sorry that your dreams have been delayed... one year. Reflect on how realistic CRNA career is for you. Take this time to do the things illustrated on this board (by many others) to make your application more competitive. Enjoy more time with family and friends. Then apply again. I wish you the best.

Well said. Good luck to you.

Trauma Tom