Apply now?

[TLC RN]

I am a new grad working in a CVICU. I am considering applying for a program in the next month. I met with the program director and they said I have all my eggs in a basket and if I feel ready to apply, I am good to go. They said they never know what the applicant pool will bring so you never know...I will have about 4-6 months experience if I am asked to an interview this fall. I have wanted to be a CRNA for years :)

I am nervous to apply but feel like wonder what can be the worst that can happen? I can apply and not get in but a year from now I will know what to expect. I also will know how to better prepare. I know a few people who got in with a year experience. They happened to apply early (ie... Jan 01 for Fall 02) and were asked to interview for fall 01 class when the school opened the applicant pool up after the school did the initial fall interviews. Am I crazy to apply for fall 07? :trout:

[dfk, RN, CRNA]

i don't think ur crazy to apply now.. just remember, schools have times when they say to apply.. is it too early now for the school you are applying to? start dates are usually stated on school sites, or just ask program directors.. apply to more than one if u can.. better chances.. your working hx is good.. cvicu is good experience.. by the time u apply and interview and the time comes, u will have enough 'time' put in for qualification period.. the worst that can happen is no interview and reapply.. better is apply, get interview, don't get accepted.. but, you gain experience in what many don't even get a chance to, such as the interview alone.. invaluable !! after that, even better, get an interview and get accepted.. word of advice.. you will be another yr older, with another yr of experience, and a better candidate.. if u keep to it, such it being ur dream, it will happen.. gain more experience, skills, ccrn, certs, shadowing, extra classes such as physiology, pharm, anatomy, research, etc.. only will it make u better prepared all the way around.. just don't give up.. IT WILL HAPPEN !!

good luck--

[RNbama]

I had the same problem when I first started in my unit. I had a year in a cardiac intervention unit...then moved up to open-heart recovery. I took someone's advice to go ahead and apply w/out the year's experience requiremnet. It paid off b/c I got in.....I say go for it. Like you said, what's the worst that can happen?

[apaisRN, RN, CRNA]

I think you should apply. If you are accepted, you can think hard about whether you feel ready to go. You may be able to defer your admission a year, or if not you know you've been accepted once and can probably count on at least one admission the following year. The plusses are that you go through the admissions experience and are better prepared to do it again if you so choose, and if you don't get in the schools like to see persistency in applicants. Also, getting your ducks in a row as far as paperwork (essays, recommendations, transcripts) is a great thing to get finished. That stuff was all a PITA.

[dfk, RN, CRNA]

I think you should apply. If you are accepted, you can think hard about whether you feel ready to go. You may be able to defer your admission a year, or if not you know you've been accepted once and can probably count on at least one admission the following year. The plusses are that you go through the admissions experience and are better prepared to do it again if you so choose, and if you don't get in the schools like to see persistency in applicants. Also, getting your ducks in a row as far as paperwork (essays, recommendations, transcripts) is a great thing to get finished. That stuff was all a PITA.

PITA.. yes !!! and the financial aid is the worst.. hate it.. "um.. no, we don't have that.. could u send it again?"

[Toby's mum]

TLC, when you say you have 4-6 months on CVICU, is that after your orientation, or are you counting that as part of the experience? Just curious. Thanks,

[TLC RN]

TLC when you say you have 4-6 months on CVICU, is that after your orientation, or are you counting that as part of the experience? Just curious. Thanks,[/quote']

I will have 4-6 months exp (including a 14 week orientation) on the floor when I interview. I will have exactly a year experience (not including orientation) if I were offered a spot in the class starting in 07.