CCRN and CRNA???

Does having your CCRN improve your chances on getting into CRNA school? I plan on applying to CRNA school within the next year and was wondering how much having my CCRN would help me get into school.

thanks in advance!

It doesn't hurt to have it at all. It's a good test of comprehensive, ICU knowledge.

A couple of the schools I've looked at state that having a CCRN is beneficial. I would assume it would be a good thing to have, since having the CCRN demonstrates both that you have the minimum critical care experience, and that you are capable of dealing with a wide variety of critical care states.

i had a co-worker that was a very competent rn with about 10 or so yrs in icu exp, very good gpa and gre score, the type of rn you wanted in the unit when it was going to be one of those bad nights. all around a hell of a guy.. he was turned down by 3 programs in 1 yr worth of interviews. took and passed the ccrn and got in at lsu on his next interview. unless the crna program interviewer tells you different, having ccrn under your name can only help.

I am enrolled in a CRNA program in Panama City, Fl right now and I don't have my CCRN. I think getting in has a lot to do with your interviewing skills. It can't hurt to have it though.

Not from my understanding. But having at least 1year critical care experience is usually required. I know of 4 people who became crna's and never had their ccrn.

I'm getting my CCRN soon. I've interviewed at about a half dozen schools so far - only got into ODU in Norfolk, VA (i declined after much hand wringing over money, distance from my home town, etc.) It's been quite frustrating. I have 3 years of icu experience, decent grades and my gre/mat scores aint so bad. maybe i'm blowing the interviews, i don't really know. I figure getting my ccrn can only help my chances in the future. i interview at UT chattanooga this month. wish me luck, yo!

i'm taking the ccrn exam before my next interview (UTchat) at the end of this month. no pressure, right. seriously, i've had 6 interviews over the last year. only got into one school (ODU in VA). i declined acceptance after considering the distance from my home. This whole process has been so frustrating. my grades are decent, my gre/mat scores are also. i've got 3 years of icu. can't figure out why i can't get in. i ask for feedback and they all give me the same malarkey ("It's very competitive...blah blah blah.") Maybe i'm picking my nose during the interviews without realizing it? I don't know. two schools told me it would be helpful for future attempts to have my ccrn, so i'm taking them up on the advice. hopefully, i'll have it by my interview and that will put me over the top and get in. wish me luck, yo!

I am a junior in a crna program now and there has been a few times that i have pulled out my ccrn in notes for a quick review during my anesthesia basics course!

I would recommend taking it not only to help you get in...but it might increase your knowledge!

Just my opinion

I have it (CCRN) and never mentioned it during my interview(never really came up), although I sent thank you letters and signed "RN, BSN, CCRN";) The real kicker was when I got the acceptence letter before they got my thank you cards:lol2::lol2: So in the end did it help me???? I think I answered their clinical question 10x better because of it and I got like a grand from my employer for it.

-Smiley

One can never have too many i's dotted or t's crossed. Good luck to you.

I interviewed at UTC as well. Have you recieved a letter yet? Hoping to get one at the beginning of the week.

Several programs, now require the CCRN for the first time and definatley for the second time applying. As others have mentioned, it cannot hurt to have the CCRN certification. I would recommend anyone thinking of going into Nurse Anesthesia, they along with the GRE prep and exam, to also prep for and take the CCRN exam. I used the Pass CCRN 2nd edition and the AACN core curriculum for critical care nursing as study aids to prep for the CCRN exam, took it and passed with a 95% average.

Good luck