Applying to CRNA programs

smileyRn96 · Jun 10, 2008

1) Hmmm, I have been a nurse since 96, but got my BSN in 2004. I wonder if they were concerned about how long you have been out of school. Did you take the GRE or MAT, just curious?

If you cannot get admitted into a program you might consider taking a few grad classes and possibly undergrad science classes to show current ability.

2) Do you have your CCRN, if not consider getting it (your tele exp should count towards your hours).

3) How did the interview go?

Ultimately, keep your chin up...You will get in, use this experience to drive forward and fine tune yourself as an applicant...You have several more opportunities ahead.

-Smiley

Natef26 · Jun 10, 2008

I have just received a rejection letter from my first go around at applying to CRNA school:cry: I'm looking for a little reinforcement! I applied to/and was rejected from a small program in the greater Phila area, and I am in the process of applying to Villanova, Jefferson and Drexel as as well. I have 12 telemetry years and have been in CT ICT/CCU nurse since 1/08. I had a close to 4.0 GPA in my BSN program, but realize it was in 1995.....a while ago. I transferred to this unit with the intention of applying to CRNA programs. I feel that the wait time to begin these programs is long......so I applied early, hoping that my working time until the start of the program would be considered............
What are others experience???
Thanks for any input.
icunurse08

I'm a CRNA wannabe myself, and it looks like you would have been accepted if only you had the minimum 1 year ICU experience that is required by all the programs I have run into. 12 years of Tele is great, but 5 months of ICU doesn't meet the minimum yet. I don't think your grades from 1995 are the problem. Thats a fantastic GPA.

Maybe call or email the school and ask nicely what was their rejection criteria for you. If need be, maybe you could take a chem class and or a stats class to show you've "still got it." Would be a great refresher if nothing else. But really I would bet its simply the lack of ICU exp.

Best of luck!

Hoping to apply to CRNA schools,myself, later this year.

magno79 · Jun 10, 2008

I don't think that your time out of school had anything to do with it. There are several students admitted with 25 plus years experience. You have to remember that there are hundreds of applicants each year. I quickest most painless way to eliminate an applicant is if they don't meet the minimum requirements. You unfortunately did not meet those requirements with your limited ICU experience. Also, I think it is more common then not for a student be rejected on their first attempt. These programs want to know that a student is committed to the very difficult task ahead. What better way for them to know this than seeing a student apply a second time. It took me two times applying and interviewing with the same program to get in. Your best bet would be to submerge yourself in the ICU. Learn as much as you can. Get your CCRN and get great letters of recommendations from your nursing supervisors. Also, a chem class may be very beneficial and I think that they would like to see that.

With all that said, if this is truly something that you want to do, it is worth the wait.

Magno79

icunurse08 · Jun 11, 2008

Thanks everyone for the input. I felt my interview went well. After thinking about my rejection letter for a day, I think that my lack of ICU experience probably did me in. I just wish they wouldn't have requested an interview....they knew my experience on my application.

Good advice, I am calling the program for constructive feedback on how I can be a successful applicant next time.

Also, good advise, take a chem or statistics class. I think chem would be the best refresher course.

I do have my PCCN certification (The tele equivilant of the CCRN, same test except for 25 vent/hemodynamic questions, still a challenge!) Taking my CCRN test would only help make me a serious applicant.

Thank you everyone for your encouraging advice, I'm not giving up yet!

ICUNURSE08

fungirl · Jun 11, 2008

Magno79: I'm so proud of you!!!! Hope you're getting in some good wakeboarding this summer before anesthesia takes over your life!!!

I don't think that your time out of school had anything to do with it. There are several students admitted with 25 plus years experience. You have to remember that there are hundreds of applicants each year. I quickest most painless way to eliminate an applicant is if they don't meet the minimum requirements. You unfortunately did not meet those requirements with your limited ICU experience. Also, I think it is more common then not for a student be rejected on their first attempt. These programs want to know that a student is committed to the very difficult task ahead. What better way for them to know this than seeing a student apply a second time. It took me two times applying and interviewing with the same program to get in. Your best bet would be to submerge yourself in the ICU. Learn as much as you can. Get your CCRN and get great letters of recommendations from your nursing supervisors. Also, a chem class may be very beneficial and I think that they would like to see that.
With all that said, if this is truly something that you want to do, it is worth the wait.
Magno79

gasmaster · Jun 11, 2008

SmileyRN96 was wrong about the CCRN: tele experience won't count toward the required hours. You will need to be FT in the ICU for about a year before you will even qualify to take the exam. Every school I know of requires a minimum of 1 year ICU before you can enter a CRNA program, but many will interview with less hours if they know you will have the minimum time completed before you start the program. My advice is to take the CCRN when you have the hours. Although many programs just recommend it, having an edge on the competition is a bonus. Also, most of the interviews are based on CCRN material. Good luck! Don't get discouraged.....it will happen in time....

pilateschick7 · Jun 11, 2008

I would definitely take the CCRN it really seems to help "complete the package" in the eyes of many programs. Pass CCRN has some simple charts to memorize regarding ventilator settings and alterations. This was a challenge for me because RT at my teaching hospital has a fit if we touch the vents. I went to a review by Barbra Pope that was invaluable. She gives her review at Trends in April every year.

Have you shadowed yet? Often CRNA's will give their perspective on the interview portion while you are working with them. The applicant pool is different every year. Next year you will be even more prepared.

Good Luck,

smileyRn96 · Jun 11, 2008

Actually, Neuro is wrong check out the requirement at the website and pay particular attention to the use of "acute and critically ill". Also, they go further to expand that they understand many critical care type skills are used outside the four walls of the icu/ccu.

http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Content/ccrn.pcms?menu=Certification

-Smiley

gasmaster · Jun 12, 2008

Actually, Neuro is wrong check out the requirement at the website and pay particular attention to the use of "acute and critically ill". Also, they go further to expand that they understand many critical care type skills are used outside the four walls of the icu/ccu.
http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Content/ccrn.pcms?menu=Certification
-Smiley

Absolutely correct. Sorry, I didn't clarify myself well. What I meant was that ONLY having tele experience would not qualify one to take the CCRN. Having a mix of experiences that are acute & critical can range from time in the PACU, tele, ICU, etc. However, most of the requirements for the CCRN must be met in the ICU unless you work in a tele that takes vents, frequently titrated gtts, a-lines, Swans, etc. Most tele's don't meet this criteria. So someone can use certain experiences obtained in tele, but would not typically meet all the clinical bedside requirements in that environment.