Just finished my first semester. Ask me anything.

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

Wow...I can't believe it's only been been 3 1/2 months! It feels like it's been at least a year. But finally, a few hours ago today, I took my last final and finished my first semester of CRNA school!

I figured this would be a good time to answer questions anyone may have about transitioning into a CRNA program.

I'm in a front-loaded program, so I can't really help out with any questions regarding clinicals, but if you have questions about didactics and transitioning into school, I'll take a crack at it!

What happens if you are currently enrolled and the institution does not become accredited?

Specializes in CRNA.

Other universities will not recognize that you have a degree. This will affect you if you want to obtain a doctorate from another university or if you want to teach at another university. It will be like your highest begree is your BSN.

Specializes in Surgical ICR, Tele., Burn.

Thank you very much for your reply MeTheRN! I wish you the best of luck in your studies, and looking forward to hear how things are progressing!

Just curious, what is the actual degree you're going to attain once you graduate? Is it an MSN? Also, do you have to write a thesis;if so what topic are you considering?

what were the classes you took in your first semester?

I've been reading every thread in your post because there are so many great questions being answered here. I just now realized that you started out at a community college and I almost cried. I just applied to a couple of BSN programs in my area, and I'm also going to be a community college transfer student. My GPA is only a 3.7( It could and should be higher, I slacked and got a few B's that I shouldn't have) at the CC and I've been so overwhelmed as to whether I'll be able to keep my grade at that level at the university or not. I know you're so far beyond this point now, but what was your GPA when you transferred to the BSN program? I've already been accepted to the university of the BSN program (just waiting to hear back from the nursing department now) and they also invited me to join the honor's program which will include me doing an undergrad thesis. Is this similar to the research project you co-authored? Would you suggest I accept this? Part of me wants to take it because it'll give me an edge when I actually do apply to grad school, but another part of me doesn't quite know what to expect in the BSN program and wants to keep my priorities focused on that. Did you find the transition from CC to University overwhelming? Obviously you have great stats, so are there any pointers you could give me to be as successful as possible as I'm still at the threshold of my journey?

Two questions.

1) how should I prepare for the program, as in making my chances of being accepted higher?

2) I know you said I havn't did clinicals yet, but would you know if they involve using animals to test on?

thank you!

Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
Just curious, what is the actual degree you're going to attain once you graduate? Is it an MSN? Also, do you have to write a thesis;if so what topic are you considering?

I will have a master of science in nurse anesthesia. It's not an MSN degree, so generally there's less nursing theory and writing. We have to do a mini-proposal in our research course, but not a formal thesis. I'm writing about treating shivering related to induced hypothermia.

Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
what were the classes you took in your first semester?

The classes depend on which semester you start in (Fall or Spring). I started in the Fall and took pathophysiology, pharmacology, intro to advanced practice nursing, policy/ethics of nurse anesthesia, and chemistry/physics.

Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
I’ve been reading every thread in your post because there are so many great questions being answered here. I just now realized that you started out at a community college and I almost cried. I just applied to a couple of BSN programs in my area, and I’m also going to be a community college transfer student. My GPA is only a 3.7( It could and should be higher, I slacked and got a few B’s that I shouldn’t have) at the CC and I’ve been so overwhelmed as to whether I’ll be able to keep my grade at that level at the university or not. I know you’re so far beyond this point now, but what was your GPA when you transferred to the BSN program? I’ve already been accepted to the university of the BSN program (just waiting to hear back from the nursing department now) and they also invited me to join the honor’s program which will include me doing an undergrad thesis. Is this similar to the research project you co-authored? Would you suggest I accept this? Part of me wants to take it because it’ll give me an edge when I actually do apply to grad school, but another part of me doesn’t quite know what to expect in the BSN program and wants to keep my priorities focused on that. Did you find the transition from CC to University overwhelming? Obviously you have great stats, so are there any pointers you could give me to be as successful as possible as I’m still at the threshold of my journey?

Funny enough, my transfer GPA was also a 3.7! I raised my GPA with the nursing classes and graduated summa cum laude. I would absolutely encourage you to accept the honors program proposal. You will be able to present your thesis and defend it against a panel of advisers, and grad schools will absolutely eat this up. It won't necessarily help you in getting an ICU job, but it will help tremendously with your application and make you stand out.

I actually studied harder in the CC because the instructors weren't as...um...polished as the university instructors were. My best advice is to study like crazy and definitely do study groups with other students. That's actually what I'm doing in school now to keep myself sharp and focused. Another thing is you have to learn mental discipline. Train your mind to stay on task and review what you've learned every 30-60min or so. Consider going to a local health food grocer and buying a brain supplement. I like the ones from Whole Foods. I also listen to a hypnosis recording designed to expand your memory. Needless to say I try a lot of different things to keep me sharp :)

Another suggestion is if you don't understand something, go up to the instructors and ask in between classes or on breaks. It's a great way to get yourself known and you'll be smarter for it.

Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
Two questions.

1) how should I prepare for the program, as in making my chances of being accepted higher?

2) I know you said I havn't did clinicals yet, but would you know if they involve using animals to test on?

thank you!

1. Kill the GRE's, that's a great way to get accepted. Low GRE's and GPA scores can be overlooked if you have a lot of killer ICU experience.

2. We do not anesthetize animals, but if you attend a difficult airway work shop, you might be able to trach a pig's trachea for practice for emergent tracheostomies!

Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
other universities will not recognize that you have a degree. this will affect you if you want to obtain a doctorate from another university or if you want to teach at another university. it will be like your highest begree is your bsn.

personally i'm not in a hurry to get my dnap, since we have until 2025 until it is a requirement for entry-to-practice and i'll be grandfathered in. if i ever get the itch to teach or if i see it is becoming necessary for my work (if i want to work in a state with different laws), then i will either go back to wolford for my dnap online or by then they will have their regional accreditation, so i will get my doctorate from whichever school best fits my needs.

for the record, wolford is in the process of attaining regional accreditation. it is completely and fully accredited by the council of accreditation of nurse anesthesia. as a matter of fact, the program was accredited for 10 years (the maximum any program can be accredited for before needing to be re-evaluated).

[color=#595959]wolford college

nurse anesthesia program

[color=#595959]1336 creekside blvd

[color=#595959]suite 2

[color=#595959]naples, fl 34108

[color=#595959]program information

[color=#595959]date of last review:[color=#595959] 5/2008

[color=#595959]next review date:[color=#595959] 5/2018

[color=#595959]degree(s):[color=#595959] master of science in nurse anesthesia (entry level), doctor of nurse anesthesia practice (completion), master of science (completion)

[color=#595959]program length:[color=#595959] 28 months

[color=#595959]starting month(s):[color=#595959] october, february

i'm not saying the program is perfect, but i would like to clear some things up. as far as other schools not honoring my ms in na, yes it's true they can do that. but after i get my degree in anesthesia, i'm not really planning on more schooling until it is absolutely necessary, as i mentioned above.

as far as getting hired after school, employers care about two things: have you passed your boards and able to practice freely, and are you competent. they don't really care about your gpa, where you went to school, or if your program had regional accreditation. if wolford were not accredited, none of the students would be able to sit for the boards, and the pass rates wouldn't be in the high 90%.

+ Add a Comment