[kmchugh]

For those of you interested in becoming a CRNA, this site is excellent. Links to many, if not all of the current schools of nurse anesthesia.

http://www.anesthesia-nursing.com/school.html

There is a TON of great information on this site. Spend some time perusing.

Kevin McHugh

[ma kettle]

Kevin

Your explainations are wonderful. But here are some tougher questions. What if you have been through undergraduate school (like years ago). And discover that the undergraduate scores are haunting you like a criminal record for an ex-felon. ie 2.86 QPA. Now I have gone back and repeated those scores that were poor and did better. But these new grades are seen as add ons and not calculated back into the orginal scores to give you a better GPA.
I did well on the Miller Analogy test. But most schools won't even give you the time of day with out a wonderful GRE above 1500. They seem to drull over scores like 1680. Ok that says this person is bright, but you and I both know there are a few 4.0's that you would let them cross the street by them selves. What does knowing the radius have to do with being able to calculate a gtt rate of a vasoactive drug in a cardiac arrest situation when it really counts. ie life or death? Also, I have run to questions about my kids, how many etc. I thought this was illegal. If I can make it to work and perform my job, with positive outcomes. ... Why is this a neccessary question? I can understand that in some cases they are looking to see what kind of support you have at home, ie spouse. But hell, I bet my next paycheck they wouldn't even think of asking him ( husband) about his missed work habits as a result of his children. Anyway I have done all those things that you have suggested, I have gone to the powers that be and requested "what to do information" but let me tell you for three years in a row now, I have been sitting on a bench watching young pups, fresh out of school that I have mentored and that I have answered those guestions " what do I do now" get into school. With all the money I have used to upgrade undergraduate scores, change careers for " better ICU experience" and taken pricey graduate courses, at my expense. I could have gone a wonderful vacation first class. All the years of effort I have found it is not enough to make the selection committess blink twice. What are your recommendations, believe me I have thought the next time we castrate one of the new colts, I will keep the discard in a zip lock baggie so I can say " mine are in the bag".. lol As you can see this has not been a smooth process for some.
I NEED SUGGESTONS!!!!!
sandy

[kmchugh]

Sandy

There are a few things you don't mention in your post, and a public bulletin board is probably not the place to air them. So, some generalities:

First, I'm not sure what your current GPA is. If it's low, take more classes, do whatever it takes to get your overall GPA above 3.0. I would actually suggest you do this by taking the harder classes (i.e. physics, chemistry classes that are at the next level above those you took for nursing). So, if you took "chem 101" for nursing school, take "chem 102" or whatever is next. No school in the US accepts any applicant with a GPA below 3.0. Its frustrating, I know, but these are the standards.

Next, if you scored low on the GRE, get that score up. I suggest you get a GRE review program for your computer. I used Kaplan's, and found it very helpful. The program not only refreshed me on concepts I had long forgotten, but also gave me tips and hints on quicker, easier ways to do problems. Go completely through it, then retake the GRE.

You wrote:

"I did well on the Miller Analogy test. But most schools won't even give you the time of day with out a wonderful GRE above 1500. They seem to drull over scores like 1680. Ok that says this person is bright, but you and I both know there are a few 4.0's that you would let them cross the street by them selves. What does knowing the radius have to do with being able to calculate a gtt rate of a vasoactive drug in a cardiac arrest situation when it really counts. ie life or death?"

You make a good point, but the schools have a standard, and won't let you in if you don't meet that standard. And, believe me, there is a reason for that standard. The schools not only want to know that you can react appropriately and quickly in a crisis situation, but also want to know you can do the skull work required to get through the school. Besides, applications committees must follow their own standards. If they accept you with a 2.86 over someone with a 3.5 GPA, they would be wide open to a big lawsuit.

As for asking how many children you have, I think you may be right, and the question may not be legal. I'm sure the director was concerned with how you would support your children while in school, but it is doable. One of my classmates was a single mother of two, and she not only graduated, but was the top graduate. On top of that, she still made time for her boys, and I have to tell you they are great kids.

The bottom line: The schools have standards, and they must follow their own standards for admittance. In order to be accepted, you must meet those standards. Complaints that "...but you and I both know there are a few 4.0's that you would let them cross the street by them selves." may be valid, but they are irrelevant. Complaining about the standards won't get you in. Only meeting the standards will. I am not trying to be hard on you or make you feel bad, but this is a point that I have to get across.

Kevin McHugh

[ma kettle]

correct me if I am wrong. But I did repeat courses as I mentioned before. However, these new grades are not recalculated back into the orginal undergraduate score because I have now graduted. These new grades are considered to be add ons. I mentioned this prior. I had an interview this year and the director mentioned about the GPA. I pointed out about the new grades. But even though they were considerably better, she didnot blink. I guess I am generalizing but I assume that these schools will only see these orginal and not look much further.
So I would like to take more courses as you recommend. But there are no tuition reinbursements post graduate as well. So once again this is all out of pocket, And with all the add courses and effort, I am not yet convinced that this will be the convincing factors for the selection processs into school.
Your right as far as the GRE. that just needs to be studied and redone. I just need to do it, I need some motivation. It will come at some point. And you have given some good advice that has started to get my tail in gear. Thanks. I am sure though I am not the only one with set of circumstances.

keep up the nice work and information, it is refreshing.
Sandy

[nilepoc]

Sandy

I had the same problem you had, and i wnet back to school to alleviate my poor initial showing in school. when i eventually applied to school, my GPA was calculated with thhe new grades in place of the F's I earned when i should not have gone to school.


Maybe you should pursue other things to make yourself look better. Try and advance your skills and show them you have what it takes to pursue a higher degree and are willing to learn. Learn to place Picc's if it is an option. do teaching inservices at your work in CRNA related areas, like present the variety of airways to your staff. How many people know what an LMA is or even how to use it? they are included in the new ACLS guidelines. Become an instructor for PALS or ACLS, this will show a higher level of commitment.

Just diversify yourself, and remember that maybe the program you have your heart set on may no be the one for you. Branch out.

Craig

[alansmith52]

Sandy:

Your plight certainly sounds frustrating. I must say if I had applied for three years in a row I would be a shadow of a man by now. its nice to see your still fighting.
Did I read correcty that you did get an interview with one school?
If that is true then its not really you grades that kept you out I think. It seems as though by getting an interview; they aknowledge that you have met the min requirment. In that case it must have been somthing about the way you interviewed.
maybe you could practice interviewing somehow (and by the way if there is a way to do that let me know).

humbly
Matt RN

[ma kettle]

Craig and Matt

Thanks for your emotional support. It is GREATLY needed. Actually I have had many interviews. One school has even interviewed me three years in a row. I am not sure but there is a combination of unfortunate things happening. One school, Westmoreland had 200 applicants, They selected 80 to interview and that year they selected 10. But these odds are not good. But It even gets worse, there were 4 perspective students from the previous year that were alternatives. So naturally they are given a higher ranking. So when you have a student that has so so grades, community hospital ICU/CCU experience since 1999. I did well on the MATs but as I mentioned before 1380 on the GREs that only made more of a ? in their minds. Well in the last three years I have done alot to upgrade, and get diverse experience. But as you can see above, the odds are really not in my favor. But for me what is frustrating to hear someone brag about their acceptance and then say things like, I knew a doctor that gave me a terrific reference. So now you are no longer dealing with things like odds your now dealing with politics.YUK!
I guess when you enter into a high sought after career that has great financial rewards you will see all kinds of things. I have been told that the schools that I have applied too are all with very respectalbe reputations. In fact, the director of the program I mentioned above, goes around the country doing CRNA exam reviews. He know his stuff. So therefore don't you want to learn from the best.??
I need to do more to upgrade and better scores. I have recently been working in another city hospital for the trauma experience. I still work at the local community hospital becuase of retirement .
Believe me when you want something soooo bad you are just about willing to try anything. I am blonde and have considered dying the hair to get rid of the " dumb blonde " image.
I have to say I really like this site. I am learning alot. There alot of things mentioned that are not stated in the applications for school. I just need a kick in the shorts, for motivation to study GREs...
Thanks again keep this site going....
Sandy

[jenn71]

I agree that "politics" is an unfortunate part of the process. I am curious to know if you spent some time finding out why, specifically, they didnot accept you, so you can improve on those things. If your academic background is questionable I wonder why they gave you so many interviews. What were the interviews like? Were you hit with bizarre questions that were really difficult to answer?

I really hope you get lucky soon, it sounds like you have been working your tail off to make it happen!

[ma kettle]

Some answered the question Ie : What can I do to improve? Most stated they wanted me to repeat the chemistry that was one D. I repeated it and received a B+. Another suggested that ,I take one of their graduate courses,that was also
part of their nurse anesthetist curriculum. I did at the tune of $ 1,738.00. None
of which was reinburses as an employee benifit. This course was a graduate course and cost more . I received a B+ . This course was interesting and probably one of the best courses I have ever had. But, it is not acceptted by any other university in this area for credit. So unless by chance I get accepted there, that was money maybe not spent so wisely. Other directors of other prgrams stated they didnot like the adminstration for which I worked under. In fact , this was probably one of the first statements out of that persons mouth, So as you see that interview was off to a great start. I have had actual interviews with 4 schools. One director would not say a thing.
I can say tough that there are
questions such as the side affect of nipride. ie Cyanide tox. and the hemodynamics that one would see with cardiogenic shock , and neurogenic shock. Compare and contrast. Yes the questions came up about your dependants ie kids and significant other. I have to say that all really didnot think much of the community hospital for which I worked, even though open hearts are a routine day to day skill. I mean swans, art lines and vented patients. I had one lady say " well even though you got the answers correct. I am not sure you know what you are doing. "She made recommendations about classes. When I completed what she asked, I reapplied. She then returned my call stating that they were not interested in interviewing me any further. I really don't know what I did wrong accept for the fact she had a student a few years prior that I knew well and that person must have made a not so good impression. She also again did not like the hospital that I worked for. The interview was rather dishearting. This group interview me with an applicant from the south. Nice guy. this interview was approximately 2.5 hours. She answered my questions very directly and matter of fact. When this guy
asked a question she acted as though they were long lost buddies. After ther interview, I asked this guy do you know her, he said "no". Then he asked me what did you do to her? So initially I thought " It is allyou, this really isnot happening. But when he asked me this , it only verified what I was thinking. Most questions centered around your knowledge base,the experience and are you and family prepared to undertake this huge
expense, stressful experience. Most did state that my spouce would feel like a single parent and maybe upset with the fact that I would always be studing.
I think if anyone get an interview they should be ready for any vasoactive drug questions, hemodynamics, and critical disease processes. MI, shock and acid/ base stuff as it relates to ABGs. These questions were standard questions. ALso have a general idea of how financially and mentally prepared you are.

Good luck all
Sandy

[WntrMute2]

Boy Sandy, you must be diheartened. I only have 1 suggestion and it is not a great one or maybe youve already tried it. Apply to different out of area schools. Maybe there is a reputaion, undeserved I'm sure, about you or where you work. Try the UNC school, Mayo (really cheap BTW), Georgetown, or the schools associated with University of Detroit. These are just a couple, but I interviewed at them all and they all were as nice as could be to me. Good Luck!!