Too late to become a CRNA?

[Lyndi]

I have been at my current job for 16 years and am 34 years old. I recently decided to go back to school to complete my associates degree. (I only have 9 credit hours completed). I have a looong way to go for the ADN program. My "plan" consists of taking classes while working full-time and should be done in 4 years or so! That puts me at nearly 39 years old.

I really would like to be a CRNA. I love the surgery aspect and feel I would like that the most. Is it too late for me? By the time I am complete with my schooling...is there an age requirement to become accepted into a CRNA program? Unfortunately, going to school full-time is not an option for me. I have to work to pay my bills. I am completing my CNA next semester and plan to get a job as a CNA. I was hoping to work at a local hospital to gain experience while I get my ADN.

Do you think I have a chance?

[manavi]

No. I live in Dayton Ohio right now, but my husband is military, and he'll be teaching at the AF Academy in CO Springs. We'll be moving there in June. There's no other schools around there. Bummer. I had my eye on Duke and my hubby tried for a job there teaching ROTC but the AF would not let him do that. Will you be attending at FW? What if you are accepted to another school? Which is your first choice?

Well, since I haven't actually been accepted to any schools yet, I don't know where I'll be attending, if anywhere.

The question of which would be my first choice is still up in the air. I will defer that question until after I've interviewed at each one and gotten a better feeling about the philosophies of each school, what their campuses look like, what their faculty are like, where clinicals are conducted, what types of procedures are done during clinicals, etc. I still have a lot of information to process.

[ccrnval]

Well, since I haven't actually been accepted to any schools yet, I don't know where I'll be attending, if anywhere.

The question of which would be my first choice is still up in the air. I will defer that question until after I've interviewed at each one and gotten a better feeling about the philosophies of each school, what their campuses look like, what their faculty are like, where clinicals are conducted, what types of procedures are done during clinicals, etc. I still have a lot of information to process.

Good luck and drop me a line, especially if we will be classmates!

[91CRN]

Hello,this is my first post I have some pretty specific questions for any of you practicing CRNAs out there. So, if I may, here is some information about myself. I am 45 years of age. I have been a practicing RN in CA since my ETS date from the Army in 1989. As a 91C I practiced in ICU and SICU--high acuity with a lot of responsibility balloon pumps LVADs etc. After leaving the Army I practiced in MICU/CVICU for a short time and then did case-management. It was an easier schedule/lifestyle for me professionally, allowing me to concentrate on raising my kids. I have been working in a very busy albeit low acuity, (in my opinion anyway--my colleagues would kill me for saying so!), E.D. for the last 7 years. I rarely work with vasoactive drips, and almost never need to intubate anyone etc.--my colleagues marvel at my kharma in that I almost never see any action in the way of codes--my pts always seem to do well--DARN:) (obviously kidding folks--no hate mail please). We were a trauma center when I started and then were downgraded to an EDAT 2 yrs ago. I'm not complaining--just outlining that although I have a lot of ICU experience; it's not all that recent and I don't think that anyone interviewing me for a CRNA program would consider my E.D. high acuity. I have had all kinds of certifications for years, TNCC, PALS, ACLS, MICN. I want to just hit the books and finish my BSN so I can apply to CRNA programs. I'm not getting any younger. I've wanted to do this for years and I really FEEL like time is of the essence. I am taking physics, o-chem and stuff like that as the electives for my BSN so I will have those bases covered--also math classes. I hope to finish in 1.5 years OR SO. I'm finishing thru Excelsior College so it's basically up to me. OK, here are my questions. Based on the BIO. Do you think that where I get my BSN matters?--I have about a 3.75 so far and think I can keep it? Do you think that I need to go back into the ICU for a year (which would seriously slow down the BSN progress)? Do you have any information on the school in WV-Charleston? I can't find their pass-rates so if anyone out there is a graduate from their program I would surely love to hear from you. Other programs I'm thinking of are UNC- Greensboro, DUKE, Raleigh, NC, possibly Samuel Merritt here in Northern California. I am thinking WV because they accept the E.D. as critical care and I REALLY don't want to work anymore. I just want to get thru school as quickly as possible. Any comments/ kind spirited/informed advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank so much in advance.