loveanesthesia 859 Posts Specializes in CRNA. Jul 30, 2019 The end goal is to become a CRNA, meaning you must complete a program and pass the NCE. Take a look at those metrics.
Shanneliz SRNA, DNP 288 Posts Specializes in CRNA. Has 6 years experience. Aug 13, 2019 You have to prove yourself in other areas. Get your GPA as high as you can if you think that is what will help you the most. I hear of many students getting accepted with an ok GPA but they prove themselves in other areas. I just got accepted into a school with a 3.51 cumulative GPA, 3.2 nursing GPA, 290 on GRE. I have two years experience in a level two trauma icu. But I also received my CCRN, TCRN, TNCC, took PALS early, etc. I also studied my butt off for the interview. I know you said you got turned down for some interviews, but the second you get notified that you have an interview, start studying for that. Research the school, find everything you can find on that schools interview and begin working. I googled crna interview help, and found multiple articles, youtube videos, websites that give great advice on that. Good luck!!!
VP13 4 Posts Aug 14, 2019 So I am a recent BSN graduate looking for work in an ICU. I have heard different things as to which unit would best prepare you for CRNA school. I did my leadership in the Trauma ICU and absolutely loved it. Is there an ICU that gives you the best experience or would I be perfectly fine in the Trauma ICU? Another huge question I have is whether travel nursing makes an applicant look less competitive? In my opinion I can understand this if it is in fact the case, but I also think travel nursing shows an incredible sense of adaptability and ability to thrive in uncomfortable/stressful environments. If anyone has any advice on this, please let me know!
loveanesthesia 859 Posts Specializes in CRNA. Aug 14, 2019 Trauma ICU for a couple of years and then travel nursing for a year would be great. Work and save as much as possible.
BigPappaCRNA 270 Posts Aug 18, 2019 On 8/13/2019 at 5:30 PM, VP13 said:So I am a recent BSN graduate looking for work in an ICU. I have heard different things as to which unit would best prepare you for CRNA school. I did my leadership in the Trauma ICU and absolutely loved it. Is there an ICU that gives you the best experience or would I be perfectly fine in the Trauma ICU? Another huge question I have is whether travel nursing makes an applicant look less competitive? In my opinion I can understand this if it is in fact the case, but I also think travel nursing shows an incredible sense of adaptability and ability to thrive in uncomfortable/stressful environments. If anyone has any advice on this, please let me know! Trauma is just fine. In fact, IMHO, it is far and away the best. It is multi-system and you have to be able to care for whatever walks through the door. I have been a CRNA preceptor and CC for over 20 years, and those with good Surgical/Trauma ICU backgrounds tend to be at ease the most. Nothing wrong with CVICU,I am not bashing it, just saying it is very focused and narrow, where trauma gives you better experience. Either way, just get good experience, put in 3-4 years and be an expert in your chosen ICU, and you will do just fine.
VP13 4 Posts Aug 18, 2019 @BigPappaCRNA Thanks so much for responding! I was hoping to hear that since Trauma ICU is my favorite of the ICUs. Given your experience, would you say traveling would hurt or help my application when it comes time? Or are admissions boards relatively indifferent on that as long as you have enough experience?
BigPappaCRNA 270 Posts Aug 27, 2019 On 8/18/2019 at 12:52 PM, VP13 said:@BigPappaCRNA Thanks so much for responding! I was hoping to hear that since Trauma ICU is my favorite of the ICUs. Given your experience, would you say traveling would hurt or help my application when it comes time? Or are admissions boards relatively indifferent on that as long as you have enough experience? A little travel nursing before school never hurt anyone, but make sure you have a SOLID 2-3 years at ONE job before you start doing the travel gigs. This will make you look better.
Millenial nurse, BSN 20 Posts Has 1 years experience. Aug 27, 2019 On 7/27/2019 at 1:52 PM, BigPappaCRNA said:Not at all trying to be a jerk, but this is horrible advice. Horrible.The OP's academic record is what it is. For a reason. They need to prove to themself, before anything else, that they are capable of doing the work needed to do well. CRNA is exponentially harder than BSN. Why quit a job, move, use savings, tell your friends and family, and everything else, just to be 50-100K in debt and kicked to the curb after the first year because school was more difficult than you could have imagined? You should prove to yourself that you are capable of scoring the requisite grades such that you can.Sorry to the OP, but you need to be able to have some objective self-reflection. You might do great, and I hope you do. But you need something more upon which to base that huge decision than on being "hopeful".“nOT tO bE a JeRk”, but you are. Just because someone doesn’t meet YOUR criteria of a good candidate doesn’t mean they won’t meet the criteria for an admissions board at a school. This person seems to meet the requirements and is seeking ways to improve his/herself. I recently got into a very prestigious school that only accepts a small amount of applicants and although on paper I was sub par, I spent my time in the ICU learning as much as I could and just being my genuine self in the interview and they loved it. I can’t stand discouraging people from reaching their goals instead of helping them and being positive.
BigPappaCRNA 270 Posts Aug 28, 2019 On 8/27/2019 at 10:45 AM, MillennialNurse95 said:“nOT tO bE a JeRk”, but you are. Just because someone doesn’t meet YOUR criteria of a good candidate doesn’t mean they won’t meet the criteria for an admissions board at a school. This person seems to meet the requirements and is seeking ways to improve his/herself. I recently got into a very prestigious school that only accepts a small amount of applicants and although on paper I was sub par, I spent my time in the ICU learning as much as I could and just being my genuine self in the interview and they loved it. I can’t stand discouraging people from reaching their goals instead of helping them and being positive.Well I am a CRNA, you are not. I have been a clinical coordinator for 3 different programs, you have not. I have sat on two programs admission committees. You have not. I might have just a wee bit more insight than you on the the subject. And I gave the OP valid advice, which is to challenge oneself, take some advanced classes, and prove to he/she that they are capable of doing the work, before making a very expensive, and potentially embarrassing six month mistake. Getting accepted to a program is not the goal. Graduating and becoming a CRNA is the goal.
Millenial nurse, BSN 20 Posts Has 1 years experience. Aug 28, 2019 35 minutes ago, BigPappaCRNA said:Well I am a CRNA, you are not. I have been a clinical coordinator for 3 different programs, you have not. I have sat on two programs admission committees. You have not. I might have just a wee bit more insight than you on the the subject. And I gave the OP valid advice, which is to challenge oneself, take some advanced classes, and prove to he/she that they are capable of doing the work, before making a very expensive, and potentially embarrassing six month mistake. Getting accepted to a program is not the goal. Graduating and becoming a CRNA is the goal.Congratulations on your “wee bit more insight”. I’m sure that your advice is based on your experience as is mine. Just giving the OP a more positive outlook and hopefulness to the process. Maybe our goals for the OP are the same but delivery matters and it seems as your overall tone, even on other posts can be not so optimistic, and I believe that admissions people look at a candidate as a whole person and not a piece of paper, which I’m thankful happened for me.
