[jls189]

studentinnursing,

With your ambition I'm sure you'll get into the hospital you want. Shadowing in the ICU w/ your family member is a great idea.
When you talk to your family member, ask her what types of pts. they get, what vasopressors they use, do they have pts. w/ Swans-Ganz caths, baloon pumps, etc. A lot of schools want you to have experience with these medical devices (usually seen in open heart units, CCU's). The Cleveland Clinic prefers that applicants have this type of experience. Does it make you a better anesthetists? I sure it helps, but I know some CRNA's that worked in small community hospitals that didn't use Swans or baloon pumps, and they did very well in school, and I'm sue they are very good CRNA's.

I'm sure you'll get into CRNA school. Just keep your GPA high, Get good references, IF GRE required make sure you get at least what the school requires, but higher would be better.

I know moving to get your ICU experience isn't what you really want, but keep in mind that if you really want to be a crna, you may have to move. I don't see why you wouldn't be able to move back once you graduate (unless they specifically state "no new grads"). But if you get into a good school that has tons of OR time, it will help tremendously.

I plan on applying to Case western/Cleveland Clininc either this fall or next (awaiting husband to get a job-he just graduated w/ his Master's in Marketing Research). From what I hear, you get so much OR time at The Clininc. They >200 surgeries daily.

I'm still searching for an RN to MSN anesthesia program for you. If I find one I'll let you know. I know a guy on this forum posted that he was starting a program just like.

Sorry, if I sumtimes get off track. If I every don't anwer a question you have asked, let me know. I obviously don't have all the answer b/c I'm not currently a SRNA. But I'll do my best to help answer your questions.

Julie

[LuyshuZ]

Originally Posted by studentinnursing

I am just a pre-nursing student and admit I don't know much but have been researching CRNA since the beginning, just starting school this fall (the reason I'm going for my ADN literally, is to be a CRNA, no other goal for me, so I've been researching and researching). I asked one of our universities in Florida if there were any RN-MSN, etc., with a condensed version of BSN and MSN before/with an anesthesia program, and I was told no. Then, in hindsight, I thought what a stupid question I had asked. You can't do an anesthesia program without 1-2 years (in my state) at minimum of critical care, so there cannot be a RN-to anything near CRNA because you have to get your experience first.

I'm hoping to get into critical care immediately (or as soon as possible) and do that while doing my Bachelor's, then when I'm done with my Bachelor's, I've also acheived the experience needed for an anesthesia program, but you see what I mean, if it starts at RN, how do you ever get your critical care experience?

Anybody out there with any pointers for critical care and/or advice on how to get into it asap, please let me know. Although I have learned a lot about CRNA, I am just starting to check out the critical care aspect of my adventure.

Our plans are very simular same ADN-BSN-CRNA route. I will be attending Bryant and Stratton starting for this Fall semester.

[studentinnursing]

Yeah, I just started with my prereq's for ADN this fall. I'm taking 12 credits and working . . . it is intense. The schoolwork is not bad, but the reading takes up so much time, more than I thought anyway. I don't work at all during the day anymore, just read, working at night after the kids go to bed, and then of course I have to work all weekend--I work at home--and so far I'm doing okay, but I don't know how I would do it if I had a job with set hours.

And in the back of brain, I have this "I have to get all A's" so that stresses me a little, but then again, I don't know how far they look back when you apply for CRNA; I think it's just the previous 2 years, but I'm still giving it my all, so far so good . . . .

Good luck with your studies!!

[jls189]

luyshuz,
Not to be a downer, but for what you pay for B & S, you will not get a quality nursing education. I have oriented a lot of new nurses to the ICU (some from Kent, Case, Ursaline, Tri c, and Bryant and Strat). I must say that all the new grads from Bryant and Stratton just can't "cut it". Their competance level is very below par. A lot of the students from there have to take boards multiple times before they pass. They come out of school w/o knowing simple things like how to hang a piggyback med. I'm sorry to say that the nurses coming out of there are not looked upon too highly. If you are planning on applying to Case and/or Akron for CRNA, I would call them and see if they will even consider you if you graduate from there. I have heard from a Cleveland Clinic instructor that the Ohio State Board of nursing is looking very closely @ Bryant and Stratton. From what I understand, they are fairly new to the field of nursing. I thought their main thing was business-like studies. Why woudn't you want to go somewhere where you know you'll get a quality nursing education-a schooI that has been teaching nursing for a very long time? I am only telling you this b/c I want to see you and other people graduate from nursing school and be well-educated and competant enough to have others lives in your hands. You owe that to yourself and the patients that will one day depend on you. I wish you much luck in whatever path you take.

[LuyshuZ]

Originally Posted by jls189

luyshuz,
Not to be a downer, but for what you pay for B & S, you will not get a quality nursing education. I have oriented a lot of new nurses to the ICU (some from Kent, Case, Ursaline, Tri c, and Bryant and Strat). I must say that all the new grads from Bryant and Stratton just can't "cut it". Their competance level is very below par. A lot of the students from there have to take boards multiple times before they pass. They come out of school w/o knowing simple things like how to hang a piggyback med. I'm sorry to say that the nurses coming out of there are not looked upon too highly. If you are planning on applying to Case and/or Akron for CRNA, I would call them and see if they will even consider you if you graduate from there. I have heard from a Cleveland Clinic instructor that the Ohio State Board of nursing is looking very closely @ Bryant and Stratton. From what I understand, they are fairly new to the field of nursing. I thought their main thing was business-like studies. Why woudn't you want to go somewhere where you know you'll get a quality nursing education-a schooI that has been teaching nursing for a very long time? I am only telling you this b/c I want to see you and other people graduate from nursing school and be well-educated and competant enough to have others lives in your hands. You owe that to yourself and the patients that will one day depend on you. I wish you much luck in whatever path you take.

Thank you for the concern. According to my admissions rep they have a 92% pass rate for the NCLEX. It is a fairly new program. I previously attended a school to be a LPN, but left April of this year when I found out my financial aid wasn't being properly credited to my account balance at the school. The program I attending was fairly new also, but I feel I left with a broad base of knowledge after going through the majority of the clinical rotations and the classes. I like the energy the staff at B&S gives off and If I have to give 150% to find experiences then I will. The school is convenient for me now, no waiting list, classes starting in 1 week, ect. When I researched other school's for the fall semester, a lot of the deadlines had passed by the time my mind was made up I was leaving my school. I was accepted to Central's LPN program but when I researched B&S they are a 20 month ADN program and fit in to my "time frame" of when I want to accomplish goals. When I went for my TEAS test I spoke with students who were set to graduate in 2 weeks they told me they had good clinical experiences and felt prepared for the NCLEX and the work force. I will try my best to get everything I can and more out of this school and these next 20 months, to ensure I will be prepared when the time comes to show it. Thank you again for sharing your experiences. They are also now NLNAC accredited so their credits should transfer.

[jls189]

Originally Posted by LuyshuZ

Thank you for the concern. According to my admissions rep they have a 92% pass rate for the NCLEX. It is a fairly new program. I previously attended a school to be a LPN, but left April of this year when I found out my financial aid wasn't being properly credited to my account balance at the school. The program I attending was fairly new also, but I feel I left with a broad base of knowledge after going through the majority of the clinical rotations and the classes. I like the energy the staff at B&S gives off and If I have to give 150% to find experiences then I will. The school is convenient for me now, no waiting list, classes starting in 1 week, ect. When I researched other school's for the fall semester, a lot of the deadlines had passed by the time my mind was made up I was leaving my school. I was accepted to Central's LPN program but when I researched B&S they are a 20 month ADN program and fit in to my "time frame" of when I want to accomplish goals. When I went for my TEAS test I spoke with students who were set to graduate in 2 weeks they told me they had good clinical experiences and felt prepared for the NCLEX and the work force. I will try my best to get everything I can and more out of this school and these next 20 months, to ensure I will be prepared when the time comes to show it. Thank you again for sharing your experiences. They are also now NLNAC accredited so their credits should transfer.

I truly wish you all the luck in the world. You sound determined and that is wonderful. Work hard to be the very best. Just as a side note, I suggest taking an NCLEX review course after you graduate. I actually went to a nursing college in St. Louis that required us to take Kaplan's NCLEX review. My school had a 100% pass rate for many many years. They prepared us very well, but wanted to make sure that we understood not only nursing content but how to take the test. Kaplan's class was great and taught us the test taking techniques needed to test well. They also have a money back guarantee that you will pass. I just recently took their GRE prep class. Very Very helpful!!!!! Keep that in mind for when you are preparing for grad school. Again I wish you well.