re: applying for schools

[Rena RN 2003, RN]

i've seen in several post that applicants have applied to many different CRNA schools in hopes of getting accepted in at least one of them.

i live in an area in which only one school is close enough for me to attend (and that school is over an hour away) without having to relocate. i cannot see myself moving from our home to attend school in another area of ohio or a different state altogether.

i'm very new to thinking about becoming a CRNA and have no desire to put the cart before the horse here but what do you think the chances of applying to only 1 school and being accepted by that school really are?

[u-r-sleeepy]

I applied to ONE school - was accepted and am knocking it out right now. I also did not want to relocate - matter of fact - I think I'd made my mind up that I wouldn't move so this was going to be the only school I would apply to.

My school offered an "early application" for students who had certain assets - I think "exceptional grades", the right experience in ICU, blah, blah. Anyway, it was a nice thing to know way in advance I was accepted for the following year and it helped me plan and get ready for school.

I would encourage you to apply to the school near you and see if they offer early acceptance. What is the worst thing that can happen? ;-)

I'd say, "Go for it!" :)

[Rena RN 2003, RN]

thanks for the encouragement, sleepy. i'm no way near ready to apply for anything other than my associates degree in nursing. :chuckle but i will be checking into early application in about another year or so. :)

[u-r-sleeepy]

Yeah - now that I take another look at where you are, you indeed have quite a ways to go. Still, I think it is important to look ahead - sometimes waaaaaay ahead - and try and plan accordingly.

If there is one message I would like to send you, it would be - you CAN get there from where you are now! It just takes time, consistent effort, and a willingness to "endure hardship." Even I think that last aspect sounds a little corny, but I would tell you I am simply "enduring" my program right now and I don't see it getting any easier before I finish.

Hang in there as it is worth it!

[kkrnkk]

Hi,

I only applied to one school, one time, with no ICU experience, and got in, so it can be done. GOOD LUCK!

[g8rlimey]

Originally posted by kkrnkk

Hi,

I only applied to one school, one time, with no ICU experience, and got in, so it can be done. GOOD LUCK!

Great job, what a savings in app fees, interviews, etc. I wish I felt as confident. I applied to only one nursing school, and the wait for notification was killing me, so I decided to increase my chances for CRNA. I've only applied to three but feel I should have doubled that.

Just curious, what was your experience in if not ICU?

[kkrnkk]

Sam,

Actually, confident was definitely not the case. I had 5 years ED experience and one year exp. as a clinical coordinator. I didn't think I had an ice cube's chance in hell of being accepted after talking to some of the people at the interview. I was very limited as to where I could apply due to the fact I didn't have the ICU experience and for various reasons I chose to apply without the ICU exp. At any rate, after the interview, I decided I wasn't going to waste any more of my money applying and if I got in then it was just meant to be. I was elated and quite surprised to be accepted.

[g8rlimey]

Congrats---now that you are in school, do you feel at all hindered without the exp. in ICU?

Later..

[Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA]

Rena;

Where in Ohio are you living? I grew up in Milan. (near Sandusky/Cedar Point).

[kkrnkk]

Sam-

I haven't begun classes yet. I start in January, so that remains to be seen. I am sure I will have to study harder than others in some areas, but hopefully everything will go well.