Published Nov 26, 2010
BlackRN
12 Posts
I applied to UMDNJ and University of Maryland CRNA program and waiting for an interview. I am a bit anxious of my chances. Please be a judge...here are my stats.
BSN at UMDNJ with 3.58
MSN (ongoing) at UMDNJ with 3.7
CCRN
have been a nurse for 4 years; with two years telemetry experience @ community hospital in NJ; 1 year cardio-vascular stepdown at a busy 900 bed hospital; 1 year ICU at prestegious NYC hospital (med/surg); and now ICU float at a busy (900 bed), high acquity hospital.
I know it is based on competition...
FOCKER0014
78 Posts
By far not the expert but you should...would say though if you do be sure to justify your float ICU experience....most schools know that float nurses DON'T ordinarily take the sick patients as the UNIT STAFF nurses do...good luck...
love-d-OR
542 Posts
Looking good
Thanks...but i disagree with float nurses dont get heavy patients. The hospital I work is a busy hospital and paper charting. Trust me it's heavier and busier than the hospital I have worked in before. The only difference is that i make my own schedule and decide when to work and not to work so i dont get burnt out. I probably dont get the heavier patients that they get, may be, but i trully doubt it. My patients are as heavy and as busy. What I value most is variety that requires me to think critically constantly because i have to be independent and not rely on anyone else.
sam12345
20 Posts
How did you do on the GRE? Have you shadowed a CRNA yet? It will come down to how you present yourself at the interview, if you get one. Most everyone will look the same on paper so be ready to shine during your interview. Good luck.
BlackRN,
Was not trying to play down your experience. It is great experience. I am ONLY stating that SHOULD you get granted an interview BE PREPARED to explain your float experience. MOST hospitals/CHARGE RN's DO NOT give the ICU float RN's extremely sick patients. If your hospital does then they are different than most. That being said, I bring this up as one of my friends that i was accepted to CRNA school with was GRILLED on his float ICU. They wanted to make sure he had ample time/exposure to sick patients with SWANS, vasopressors, various shocks....he got in but was somewhat amazed about how much they questioned his float experience..
Again...good luck
Havent shadowed a CRNA before or have not taken GRE. Those schools dont require GRE. But i am calling hospitals to shadow.
Yeah get on the shadowing, it shows your intent. Plus, you might learn a thing or two of the profession. Let me know if you hear anything from either schools, as I applied to both of them too.
amiro31
81 Posts
BlackRN, I think your credentials look good -probably better than mine and I still got 2 interviews. You'll probably get an interview.
Love-d-OR - I guess great minds think alike - hope to meet you at either the UMD & UMDNJ interviews if we get it. Keep me posted if you receive anything.
It is so hard to get shadowing experience. I called like 5 hospitals but unable to get any yet. Curious how you guys were able to get shadowing experience, if you have done it.
I emailed the director of nurse anesthetists at my current hospital. In nursing school I went down to the OR and talked to the anesthesiologist, who arranged for me to shadow the chief CRNA there. Both times I was pretty bold and aggressive, you just have to go for it. Email forum members or start a thread asking to shadow.
A friend of mine is having a hard time finding someone too (she is not putting much effort really), but for now she just lies on her applications and essays ...
Amiro31: I called UMB and they said they have just started reviewing applications, can't wait...
I know people have started receiving emails from Maryland. Have you guyz heard anything yet? I have not gotten rejected or accepted, so I still wait for mine. Hope to hear soon!!!