California CRNA Education

TraumaNurse · May 14, 2005

Welcome to the board! Don't limit your options by not taking the GRE! Pick up a Kaplan GRE prep guide, do a bunch of practice tests and then take it. You may be surprised of how well you will do. The GRE is just a small hurdle to get over to apply to school and fear and uncertainty are the wrong reasons not to at least attempt it! You will be seriously limiting your chances of getting into a program if you can only apply to a small number of schools that do not require GRE. This, of course, is just my opinion. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

gaspassah · May 14, 2005

well i attend kaiser and have some opinions on it.

the faculty is great

total tuition about 15,000 usc >30,000

length of program 24 months, usc 32 or 36 not real sure on that one.

kaiser no gre

lots of different sites=many different ways of learning anesthesia

this also involves lots of travel

pharm taught by john nagelhout, very respected in anesthesia he broadcasts his lectures to duke, sammuel merrit, detroit and maybe one more

dukes physiology instructor teles her lecture to kaiser

for me there wasnt a better school to attend, i moved from louisiana to go here.

d

bwt02 · May 15, 2005

May want to take the GRE. It would allow you to apply to more programs should you desire. You may want to also consider the Midwestern University program in AZ. It is MSA vs MSN. Front loaded, school of health sciences only, tuition 22,500, cheap to live out here, fantastic faculty, clinicals are in very large tertiary centers and also very small rural/indian reservations, no GRE req, newer program.

Hello!
Before I begin, I would like to say that I have learned so much from reading these threads. I'm glad that I literally stumbled on this website.
I've been contemplating applying for CRNA school for the past year. I've been working in a Neuro-Trauma ICU for 14 years, have my BSN (3.7 GPA), CCRN, TNCC,ACLS. Since it's been 17 years, I've repeated Physiology and plan on taking Chemistry this summer, along with a PALS course.
My major deterrent has been the GRE. I'm scared beyond belief on taking a standardized test....therefore...I'm applying to Kaiser's program through CSU-Fullerton and I have an informal interview with them this upcoming Thursday.
I'm not trying to knock Kaiser's program, but do you think I'm limiting myself by not at least attempting the GRE? Does anyone know the difference between Kaiser's and USC's program? ( or any other programs?)
I should say if I do take the GRE, I would apply to Duke's and Raleigh's programs because I have family I could live with during school.
Any replies would be appreciated.
Thanks!

catcolalex · May 15, 2005

I also attend Kaiser and would not even consider going anywhere else. excellent instructors and various clinical sites. The GRE is necessary to apply to most places but has nothing to do with health care knowledge at all. In my opinion it is useless in determining the success of a CRNA student. Kaiser students are well respected all over the country upon graduation. And, the cheapest tuition in the country to my knowledge.

Trixie36 · May 16, 2005

Thank you all for responding!

I am looking forward to the informal couseling session this Thursday.

I will keep this board informed during the application period... I'm sure I'll have alot more questions once I get the ball rolling!!

Thanks again!

Allison

LNsrna · May 16, 2005

I, like you, dreaded the GRE. Because of this, I only applied to Kaiser last year. Unfortunately, I wasn't accepted into their program. I can tell that I was pretty devastated. Because of my dread of the GRE, I was not to be in the class of 2006. After some soul searching, I decided that limiting myself in this way was not productive. I have been listening in on this forum for some time and if I've learned anything, it's that becoming a CRNA is very challenging. The GRE is but a small challenge when compared to getting through CRNA school. My advice to everyone out there is to not limit yourself in anyway. Getting into CRNA school is extremely competitive. If you're passionate about becoming a CRNA, you need to do everything you can in order to improve your odds. If you feel you're weak at GRE, do what ever it takes to improve it. In the end, it's about improving your odds. By not taking the GRE, I believe you're decreasing your odds of getting accepted dramatically.

As for me, I'm proud to say that I'm a member of TCU's class of 2007 and it wouldn't be possible without the GRE. Do the work necessary to accomplish your dreams.

Good luck.

gaslinq · May 16, 2005

I took the GRE last year 21 years out of college and scored 1200. There's nothing to be afraid of. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into CRNA school due to some technicalities despite my extensive experience and high GPA/ GRE but I'll keep trying. Don't give up.

kabarnes · May 16, 2005

LNsrna well put statement about the GRE. I have been "listening in" on this board for awhile and I too am very scared by the GRE. I have never been very good at standardized tests. However, like you said, this is a small hurdle and it is best not to limit your options of CRNA programs. Your words were very inspiring to me. I hope to start anesthesia school in 2007. Congrats on being accepted to TCU.

LNsrna · May 16, 2005

By the way, I used Kaplin private tutoring. Very expensive but a good investment. Kaplin has many options for prep. I recommend you look into these options. Also, don't wait to the last moment to prepare. Need to start preparation NOW! September applications are just around the corner and you have alot of work before you.

SigmaSRNA · May 16, 2005

I see it like this. If you can pass the NCLEX, you can do well on the GRE. Rationale: With all the NCLEX reviews and review books that you go through, all you basically do is answer questions until your blue in the face. You go to take boards, and there isn't a question that you haven't seen. Same thing with the GRE. The Kaplan 2005 book and CD must have been written by GOD. From diagnostic to the actual test my score improved 400 points. Just study and answer enough questions to when you go for the test, there isn't a question type that is unfamiliar. You have to put in the time and really study.

SigmaSRNA · May 16, 2005

As far as CRNA programs, Texas Wesleyan and Texas Christian Universities have a clinical site at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton, CA (inland empire). Texas Wesleyan requires the GRE but if you have a GPA over 3.0 you will get an interview even with a GRE under 1000. You have to take the first semester of classes here in fort worth, tx but you can do the remainder of the program in california.