CRNA Question

CCU BSN RN · Nov 17, 2016

I'm currently getting my ICU experience and getting my ducks in a row for application to CRNA school. Some food for thought:

1. You're assuming that you're going to get hired into an ICU right out of nursing school. Depending on your personal connections and/or geographical location, this could be highly unrealistic. Many CRNA programs (in my area) 'strongly prefer' your ICU experience to be in a level 1 trauma center.

2. Your science classes essentially need to have a B or better (absolute minimum for consideration) and be less than 10 years old (with some programs requesting less than 5 years for Chem and A&P)

3. Factor in some time to study for and take your CCRN and GRE

4. Factor in some time to apply to programs and retake science classes.

You took chem1 in 2015 likely, if you finished chem2 in 2016. Likely you will need to take Organic and/or Biochem, having taken Chemistry 101 and 102 won't be sufficient.

You will hopefully start nursing school in 2017, and hopefully graduate with a BSN in 2019. You will in all possibility end up having to work Med/Surg or some other care area for a year. If you live in an area with a saturated job market, you may have to work in a nursing home for a year, then acute care for a year, THEN the ICU, which would put you at getting to the ICU in 2021, eligible for CCRN in 2022, able to apply for 2023 (and that's if you were able to work in science classes with labs around your work schedule and all the information overload you'll be having while working as an RN for the first time, transitioning to ICU, etc.). Keep in mind that you'll be low on the totem pole, so getting an employer to work around your school schedule may be difficult, especially since you don't want to tell potential employers that you want to go to CRNA school anytime soon.

I don't mean to discourage you at all, and I hope you are able to achieve your goals and dreams, but you might want to take a step back and take things one step at a time. Go to nursing school, get good grades, pass your boards, get a job, get an ICU job, take your CCRN and GRE and do pass/do well. I wouldn't be trying to take any pre-requisites for CRNA school at this time, because you will likely end up re-taking them in 7-10 years when you're actually ready. Taking additional science courses on top of nursing is probably a bad idea, it will take valuable time and resources away from studying for and doing well in nursing school, and will likely pull down your GPA.

If you don't mind my asking, what specifically draws you to CRNA? You said you've done research and think it's for you, but what exactly do you like about the idea of CRNA vs. RN vs. NP?

m1lkofamnesia · Nov 17, 2016

Current SRNA here. As long as you can keep your overall GPA around 3.5 and higher, I don't really see an issue with the 2 B-'s. I had a few B's while obtaining my BSN but still managed a 3.7+ overall GPA. I think I got a B+ in Chem 1? Many CRNA schools only require Chem 1 + lab, NOT orgo, biochem, or physics. Take a look at requirements of some schools near you/schools you want to apply to in the future and see what they require before thinking of taking these! You can always take these later if they decide to add them to the admission process.

I say don't re-take as long as you do fine in your BSN courses. Just keep the overall and nursing GPA about > 3.5. Get into nursing school. Precept in an ICU, and network. Get a job in the ICU, and after working a year, get your CCRN, take your GRE, and apply for schools. Many schools will accept you as long as you complete their (typically 2-year) ICU requirement by the time you matriculate.

With hard work, you could potentially start CRNA school in 2021. :up:

KristinWW · Nov 20, 2016

I agree completely. I graduated from my BSN program with a current CRNA. She received the worst grades in the class, but she got into an ICU orientation class as a new grad, was a fabulous RN, and got into NA school after 2 years of ICU. Good luck!

Spurs_up, DNP, CRNA · Nov 30, 2016

I wouldn't worry to much about those B's. Just make sure you keep your GPA above a 3.5, so study hard now. from my experience the students at the top of the class in your BSN program will get priority on picking their internship spot. By keeping your GPA up you can probably secure yourself a position in a large level I ICU. Use this opportunity to work hard and demonstrate your value, also start networking with professors and nurse managers; they will be your greatest resource later down the road. When you get into an ICU use everyday as day of learning, don't get caught in the trap of just mindlessly working. Get your CCRN and apply. Keep that fire in your belly burning and never give up on your dream. I have ran across many people who express a desire to go but never apply or become complacent. It's a long road but totally worth the sacrifice, I can personally say that the day I was excepted was one of the best days of my life. No words can express the feeling accomplishment on that day. Best of luck in your endeavors.