[mato_tom]

hey there ..I stumbled across your forum last night and was up to 5 am reading various threads....excellent information here

anyway some "stuff" that i did not see addressed that i wanted to get input.....

background info:

i am taking prereqs for an accelerated BSN and hope to start the BSN next summer
i have a BS in PT...have taken all the science pre reqs 10 years ago including chem and physics sequence, anatomy/physiology

my questions:

in your experience with the various CRNA programs ..is there a time limit on the science pre reqs..... should i repeat them due to time elapsed(have As in them)

has anyone in a similar situation been able to take, say, organic or biochem
several years after having last taken the chem sequence

what other courses are recommended if taking the chemistry sequence again is not a good idea

is there any chemistry "refresher" tool/course that would spark my memory and prepare me for the advanced chem courses that you know of.

are ICU and critical care nurse positions available for the new grad BSN?

thanks for any info

[CougRN]

science courses should be only five years old or more recent. this is pretty standard with most schools. biochem and organic chem are important to understanding anesthesia and are part of the courses you will take in anesthesia school. some schools require o-chem prior to applying. so it is a good idea to take it so you can apply to any school you chose and it will help with your education anyway. grad school classes in physiology or pharmacology will enhance your application but aren't required to apply. you should not have any problem getting an ICU position as a new grad if you apply in a major city with teaching facilities. these are the best places to learn and get the best hands on hemodynamic experience required for applying to anesthesia school. hope this helps.

brad

[UCDSICURN]

In regards to the pre-req's, each school has it's own "criteria". Some require that you only need organic or biochem and statistics within 5 years of applying. The GRE seems standard at 5 years also. Some programs also require physics. In short, each program is different. Go to www.aana.com and look under the accredited programs tab. You can then choose the state and the the program. Each programs lists exactly what they want and what time frames if any.

Hope this helps.

Donn C.

[New CCU RN]

I definitely agree w/ contacting the schools you want to apply to first. Some may be fine w/ you having older courses.

[mato_tom]

Originally Posted by New CCU RN

I definitely agree w/ contacting the schools you want to apply to first. Some may be fine w/ you having older courses.

thanks for the info, this is really a board loaded with good stuff.

There is quite a lot of differences b/w programs, some do not even mention any chemistry, some require the general chem sequence, organic chem and biochem, oh well.

the big question now is if i can jump right into organic after having the general chem sequence 10 years ago, anybody ever attempted this? I emailed my university chem dept to get their opinion,, i would hate to take chem 1 and 2 over again...more time more money....anyhoo thanks for the responses.

[UCDSICURN]

Haven't had any chemistry in 12 years. I'm currently taking a combined organic and biochemistry and I'm busting out straight A's so far. Organic and biochem has nothing to do with general (inorganic) chemistry. I haven't had to go back and research anything or do a refresher. I'd say go for it. All it is, is bulk memorization. There really isn't any abstract concepts that bends your mind, at least not that I've seen.

Hope this helps.

Donn C.

[cnmtocrna]

My science courses are at least 14 years old - I graduated 14 years ago from my BSN - none of the programs I have investigated recommended that I retake any classes. It might make more sense to do so if your grades were not that great.
I was able to get a job in the ICU without any experience other than labor and delivery and 11 years as a midwife. As my sister put it so eloquently "they're desperate."

[mato_tom]

Originally Posted by UCDSICURN

Haven't had any chemistry in 12 years. I'm currently taking a combined organic and biochemistry and I'm busting out straight A's so far. Organic and biochem has nothing to do with general (inorganic) chemistry. I haven't had to go back and research anything or do a refresher. I'd say go for it. All it is, is bulk memorization. There really isn't any abstract concepts that bends your mind, at least not that I've seen.

Hope this helps.

Donn C.

very much..thank you

[eb0lagirl]

"are ICU and critical care nurse positions available for the new grad BSN?"

As a new grad BSN (and having a previous BS in biology), I was accepted into UCLA's new grad program and currently work in the CTICU with the intent of moving on to nursing anesthesia. So, in response to your question, yes, there are certainly critical care nurse positions out there for you. And, if you don't make it right away, you can probably transfer after several months in another unit.