[dontae]

I'm at my wit's end. I am one of the CRNA hopefuls that has been broken by the competitive admissions. I have very good GRE scores, 2 years experience in a level 2 inner city trauma center ICU, and 3.2 GPA. I did interview at VCU a year and half ago, but didn't make the cut. UAB wouldn't even give me an interview. They wanted me to retake some courses. Well, because of infertility issues, I decided that I'd better go ahead and try to get pregnant. I then took a less strenuous position in the PACU of a smaller hospital. I figured I'll never get in anyway, so I decided to enroll in local FNP program. Only been in three weeks and I'm panicking because this is not what I want to do. I love surgery and want to be a CRNA. It will take me at least a year to take some classes and then I'm not guaranteed to get into CRNA school. I guess I'm looking for some support and suggestions. Or do I just not seem to have what it takes? Anybody been in this type of situation?

Tae

[Nitecap]

Take your classes and apply to several schools. How many have you applied to? Apply to larger programs like TCU and TWU. They accept a ton of people and have distance options. IF you apply earlier you may get a clinical site closer to where you are. Dont give up just expand your options. Believe me any sacrafice you may have to make for the 2.5 yrs or so will be without a doubt worth it.

[ICUDOUCME?]

Originally Posted by dontae

I'm at my wit's end. I am one of the CRNA hopefuls that has been broken by the competitive admissions. I have very good GRE scores, 2 years experience in a level 2 inner city trauma center ICU, and 3.2 GPA. I did interview at VCU a year and half ago, but didn't make the cut. UAB wouldn't even give me an interview. They wanted me to retake some courses. Well, because of infertility issues, I decided that I'd better go ahead and try to get pregnant. I then took a less strenuous position in the PACU of a smaller hospital. I figured I'll never get in anyway, so I decided to enroll in local FNP program. Only been in three weeks and I'm panicking because this is not what I want to do. I love surgery and want to be a CRNA. It will take me at least a year to take some classes and then I'm not guaranteed to get into CRNA school. I guess I'm looking for some support and suggestions. Or do I just not seem to have what it takes? Anybody been in this type of situation?

Tae

Tae,
If it will take you at least a year anyway, why not finish your NP program? What have you got to lose? You are already enrolled and you could get it done in a little over the time it would take to retake these other classes. An NP degree would be major bonus points on an application for CRNA school I would think. And if you don't get in to one, your still an NP which is fantastic.

You are sitting pretty right now. Don't panic. The additional education for NP will only help your chances for CRNA not hurt them.

[Kiwi]

NP is a great profession too. It sounds like starting a family is really important to you. There are many NPs at my hospital who work in OR.

Unfortunately, opportunity cost is an important aspects of CRNA economics. Opportunity cost means the best alternative that is forgone because a particular course of action is pursued. Those of us here who are truly intent on applying are willing to give up a lot of sanity by taking extra courses, studying hard for the GRE, earning the CCRN, studying-studying-studying, and maybe holding off on starting a family.

[athomas91]

i am not at all being condescending or rude - but if you are already contemplating giving up - it may be one difficult road to CRNA

[rn29306]

Ultimately you and you alone have to decide if "the juice is worth the squeeze"....

Anesthesia is the best decision I have ever made but it has come at a fairly high personal sacrifice, my family to some degree, and a substantial financial debt, and various other factors. But ultimately, this one of many avenues..... to a better life, more responsibility, more independence, being able to provide for the parents that supported me through this, and other things. You don't see many unhappy people in CRNA professions and there are reasons for that.

The decision is yours to make. Shadow a CRNA and that should erase most of your doubts - worked for me, that and working my tail off as a RN in a hospital for days on end assisted me in seeing the light..

[JALRN]

Tae
I have not yet applied to schools, I too am a hopeful RN wanting someday to be a CRNA, so I guess I really can't speak from your shoes. But I do know that life is way too short to settle for anything less than what you want. You only get one shot at life so you had better not have any regrets.
If I were you ( and I know that I am not so take it with a grain of salt) I would listen to the responses you have had from schools and take them to heart. More education will never hurt you but it will always help you. Retake some classes and reapply to schools, show them that you are not a quitter and that you really want this.
Who cares how much time it will take! Time is all we have and life is as much about the journey as the destination. You have to take responsibility for your own life and make your dreams come true. You can do anything you set your mind to, especially if your heart is in it!
I wish you the best.
Jenn

[Lucy54]

Getting your NP will look great on a CRNA application, plus if you make good grades, you'll be improving your GPA and you won't have to go back and retake any other classes. The way I look at it, your doing the things you would have to do to get into CRNA school AND you're getting a fantastic degree at the same time. Just keep with it! I have a NP in my class, it's not uncommon. Good LUck!

[apaisRN]

To clarify - are you actually pregnant? Or still actively trying? It sounds like you're torn between priorities. Having a family is a time-limited option for you, so maybe that should come first. You can always go to CRNA school, students in their 40s and 50s are not uncommon.

[dontae]

Thanks to everyone for the encouraging replies. You all have given me lots to think about. No, I stopped applying because I knew that I had infertility issues therefore wanted to concentrate on getting pregnant and IT WORKED. I have a beautiful (despite the little horns I see from time to time) 6 month-old baby boy. The rejections made me feel as though I didn't have what it took, therefore, I reasoned that NP would be a good route. But now, I'm feeling like I should be going for what I really wanted. So, I've decided that for now, I'm going to stick with my NP program but continue to apply to CRNA programs. I'm taking pathophysiology now and will be taking pharmacology in the spring. I know that most programs won't let these classes transfer, but I think that they'll look good on my transcript and you can never know too much patho and pharmo in the health care field.

Once again thanks you guys.

Tae