AM I Smart ENOUGH?!

Nursing Students SRNA

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I am a new grad with an ADN, working on BSN. I had a 3.2ish gpa in ADN, and plan on getting above 3.5 in BSN portion (if i dont, i dont think i will even apply to crna school!)

I am having a bit of trouble, as a male, and as a new grad...I feel like I am being watched like a hawk, every move i make. I feel as if I will be eaten. Some days are so busy, I ask myself why the heck i went into nursing...it's THAT overwhelming *but with simple stuff that could be easily taken care of by CNA's...that's my beef....short staffing.

I accepted my first RN job in a busy neuro med-surg floor, just to get experience and make myself more marketable. Time management, stress management, etc. I am getting burnt out after only three months! Not with THINKING, just with dealing with busy work that could easily be done by someone without a college degree...and i'm not being "one of those nurses" either...i was a CNA for three years...i know when I am being abused.

I never had the intention of being a med-surg nurse or even a staff nurse of any kind forever, but i think it is in my best interest to get this experience, as I feel that starting at entry level (aka the bottom) is the most respectable way to the top. But man....med surg is DEF not me!

Anyone else feel that way?

ANYWHO...I hope to get a job in approx a year in ICU, in a perfect world it would be CVICU. I am taking my time with my BSN, getting good old fashioned floor experience along the way...

My main question is...AM I SMART enough to be a CRNA? It is my ultimate dream. I think about it every day. I do not want to chase an empty dream, ya know? I have read this site almost daily for a couple of years. I have been told that if you want it bad enough, it will happen, but in REALITY....how can i determine my level of eligilibility without wasting time, money, and effort?

I am an average to above-average student, usually a 3.3ish gpa. It sometimes takes me a while to catch onto things, i learn by DOING! But in the heat of the moment, i react...Without thinking. This is what makes me think i MAY be cut out for CRNA school/profession. Any input greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in ICU, currently in Anesthesia School.

As far as the first part of your post- those feeling and frustrations are normal.

As for the second part-

Develop your critical thinking skills. Why does the AANA require a year of critical care? It is in these units where you are exposed to drips, etc. BUT you are also developing your thinking as a clinician. Anticipating and avoiding disasters, getting used to intervening WHILE thinking. Yes, we all like the rush of the crashing patient, but when it is your best friend's kid who only came in for ear tubes and is now coding in front of you, you have to be able to be three steps ahead to ensure you can return this child to their mommy.

To answer your question, Are you smart enough? You can answer that. Can you take what you've learned so far and apply it to your patients? Paperwork aside (anyone who graduates high school can be taught paperwork), do you understand the physiology of what the patient was admitted for and why the prescribed treatments will be effective? The answer might be, no not right now, but given time, experience, personal motivation, you will probably be able to say yes.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

Here's a couple of suggestions for you.

Work on your GPA some, it doesn't have to be a 4.0, I have heard of plenty of people being accepted to CRNA school with 3.3-3.5 GPA's.

Get some GRE books and take some practice tests, many schools look strongly at this test as it predicts your ability to be successful with graduate level work.

Take some chemistry courses; i.e. organic and biochem and study them hard, these courses are a big part of anesthesia.

Shadow a CRNA for several shifts so you can see what they do and know.

Check with all the different schools you might interested in, their requirements differ a little. You could also make an appointment with and advisor for a CRNA program, they could can give you good info on a good path to take to improve your chances in for acceptance.

If you want it bad enough you will work it hard enough to get it.

It CAN be done......I start in January....Good Luck to you.

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN, now SRNA.

I would get off the med-surg floor and into an ICU NOW--not in a year.

I have a co-worker who started in my ICU as an ADN new grad, and began her RN-BSN at the same time. I think this is the kind of assertion, dedication, and sacrifice that NA programs will be looking for. I imagine they might be leary of those who take one small step at a time--out of fear that it's all they could handle at once.

While the ICU certainly isn't practicing anesthesia, it's a step closer. Being in a more challenging environment will give you a better idea of whether you have what it takes. It will also give you a better idea if that environment actually interests you enough to pursue it further.

Best of luck.

Summitk2

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Specializes in 2nd Year RN Student.

This is why I swore I'd never work med/surg! I hated being on the floor. I felt like all I had time to do was rush in and get vitals, pass meds and rush back out. I wanted fewer patients with higher acuity. I'm on a PCU right now, and our max is 4 and soon to be 3 once we increase our acuity. I'm running my butt off all day long, but at the end of the day I feel like I actually KNOW what's going on with my patients. So even though it's stressful, I still know I'm practicing the way I should be practicing.

I'd say don't second guess yourself. If you're not liking where you're at, then it probably isn't for you. Just because you don't like it there doesn't meant you aren't a good nurse ;)

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NO!!

lol Couldnt resist. If you are smart enough to get accepted then chances are youre smart enough to do it. Do the best you can then apply. Every year that you have experience increase your chances of getting in. Higher scores, Higher grades help. Give it your best and see what happens.

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My mentor, who is a CRNA, told me this: "You can teach a monkey to do anesthesia! The only thing that separates most nurses from their advance practice nursing counterparts isn't intellect, its personal motivation." (Though I'm sure some smarts along with the drive to work hard don't hurt either :wink2: )

Adonai

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

I am just about to finish up my first semester of nurse anesthesia school. What I am finding out about anesthesia school is that it is not so much how smart you are but how committed you are.

The school is really difficult and takes all of your time.

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