Where after PACU?

Babs0512,

You stated that some PACU nurses have gone to anesthesia school? Did these nurses have ICU experience as well or only PACU? I ask because I am applying to anesthesia school next year but I do not have ICU experience.

Hi traumaguy8, sounds like you have a lot of work to do before applying to school. I know exactly how that feels because I do to. I am not only working towards getting my critical care experience but I also am taking a GRE prep course and plan on taking a graduate Biology course in the spring since I've been out of school so long. I noticed you are from Alabama. Do you plan on applying to any schools there? Also, where did your friend get in with only 7 mos experience? That for me is encouraging because if someone with only 7 mos total experience can get in then maybe there is hope for me. What area is he working in? Well, good luck with everything and I would love to keep in touch and hear about your progress. I plan to apply for the 2012 class. What about you?

My coworker got in at samford. He started his first RN job with us in the TBICU about 8-9 months ago. He also has picked up some shifts in the CICU here and there. I think that helped him some as well, of course he will have right at a year of exp when he starts in january. I didnt ask him about his gpa but i did ask him about his gre and interview experienc. He scored in the 1200 range doing well in quantitative. he studied for quantitative a fair amount but felt there was no way to really prepare for the verbal. He also said that the interview had no clinical questions. it was all about "why crna? how are you prepared finacially? what makes you better than the next applicant?"...that kind of stuff. we also had 2 other pple accepted and 1 placed on the alternate list at samford from my unit alone. they had a little more exp, but not much. I do plan to apply to UAB and samford as well in hopes that i may be able to spare myself from out-of-state tuition. but my first attempt will be USC for the 2012 grad. class. I think im going to sign up for the GRE for sometime in feb. what about you? have you started your review class yet? if so, how do you like it?

I actually started the review course last nite but all we did was take a diagnostic test. Really need to brush up on the quantitative, but I already knew that and hopefully the classroom instruction will help. I'll keep you posted.