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CougRN · Mar 25, 2004

science courses should be only five years old or more recent. this is pretty standard with most schools. biochem and organic chem are important to understanding anesthesia and are part of the courses you will take in anesthesia school. some schools require o-chem prior to applying. so it is a good idea to take it so you can apply to any school you chose and it will help with your education anyway. grad school classes in physiology or pharmacology will enhance your application but aren't required to apply. you should not have any problem getting an ICU position as a new grad if you apply in a major city with teaching facilities. these are the best places to learn and get the best hands on hemodynamic experience required for applying to anesthesia school. hope this helps.

brad

UCDSICURN · Mar 25, 2004

In regards to the pre-req's, each school has it's own "criteria". Some require that you only need organic or biochem and statistics within 5 years of applying. The GRE seems standard at 5 years also. Some programs also require physics. In short, each program is different. Go to www.aana.com and look under the accredited programs tab. You can then choose the state and the the program. Each programs lists exactly what they want and what time frames if any.

Hope this helps.

Donn C.

New CCU RN · Mar 26, 2004

I definitely agree w/ contacting the schools you want to apply to first. Some may be fine w/ you having older courses.

mato_tom · Mar 26, 2004

I definitely agree w/ contacting the schools you want to apply to first. Some may be fine w/ you having older courses.

thanks for the info, this is really a board loaded with good stuff.

There is quite a lot of differences b/w programs, some do not even mention any chemistry, some require the general chem sequence, organic chem and biochem, oh well.

the big question now is if i can jump right into organic after having the general chem sequence 10 years ago, anybody ever attempted this? I emailed my university chem dept to get their opinion,, i would hate to take chem 1 and 2 over again...more time more money....anyhoo thanks for the responses.

UCDSICURN · Mar 26, 2004

Haven't had any chemistry in 12 years. I'm currently taking a combined organic and biochemistry and I'm busting out straight A's so far. Organic and biochem has nothing to do with general (inorganic) chemistry. I haven't had to go back and research anything or do a refresher. I'd say go for it. All it is, is bulk memorization. There really isn't any abstract concepts that bends your mind, at least not that I've seen.

Hope this helps.

Donn C.

cnmtocrna · Mar 26, 2004

My science courses are at least 14 years old - I graduated 14 years ago from my BSN - none of the programs I have investigated recommended that I retake any classes. It might make more sense to do so if your grades were not that great.

I was able to get a job in the ICU without any experience other than labor and delivery and 11 years as a midwife. As my sister put it so eloquently "they're desperate."

mato_tom · Mar 26, 2004

Haven't had any chemistry in 12 years. I'm currently taking a combined organic and biochemistry and I'm busting out straight A's so far. Organic and biochem has nothing to do with general (inorganic) chemistry. I haven't had to go back and research anything or do a refresher. I'd say go for it. All it is, is bulk memorization. There really isn't any abstract concepts that bends your mind, at least not that I've seen.
Hope this helps.
Donn C.

very much..thank you

eb0lagirl · Mar 27, 2004

"are ICU and critical care nurse positions available for the new grad BSN?"

As a new grad BSN (and having a previous BS in biology), I was accepted into UCLA's new grad program and currently work in the CTICU with the intent of moving on to nursing anesthesia. So, in response to your question, yes, there are certainly critical care nurse positions out there for you. And, if you don't make it right away, you can probably transfer after several months in another unit.