Columbia,NY acceptance criteria

jessi78 · Nov 17, 2006

One of my classmates has only 1-2 years in NICU. She is doing VERY well so far - I think she is actually towards the top of the class. Personally, I had 4 yrs NICU and 1 yr PICU - no adult experience - and doing fine. As far as GRE's, I think > 1000 is the norm, however I'm fairly confident that if you have other positive things to strengthen your application, it MAY help decrease it's overall weight. i would still study and prepare for it as if it were the deciding factor - for many programs, depending on the competition for that year, it could be a source of weeding. If you have a powerful statement, and strong letters of rec, a good GPA, etc; that will def help. I think, don't know for sure, but CCRN, RNC doesn't hurt. Good luck!

nurse_to_be · Nov 18, 2006

Dear Jessi78,

thank you so much for your reply. Can I ask you more?

This friend of yours - did she have only NICU experience or before that worked in other units?

What do you like or not like about Columbia CRNA program? And what do you know about SUNY Downstate program - which one is better and why you think so?

Another question - do you know what are the salaries for CRNAs in New York and Nassau county?

Do you get any salary during your residency (2nd year of school) and how much? (Financial side is important, isn't it?)

How is the job market?

I have so much yo ask, I don't know any CRNAs personally, so you are my only sourse. I am graduating from the BSN program next month and constantly thinking what unit to choose for the job

Thanks a lot!

jessi78 · Nov 18, 2006

Dear Jessi78,
thank you so much for your reply. Can I ask you more?
This friend of yours - did she have only NICU experience or before that worked in other units?
What do you like or not like about Columbia CRNA program? And what do you know about SUNY Downstate program - which one is better and why you think so?
Another question - do you know what are the salaries for CRNAs in New York and Nassau county?
Do you get any salary during your residency (2nd year of school) and how much? (Financial side is important, isn't it?)
How is the job market?
I have so much yo ask, I don't know any CRNAs personally, so you are my only sourse. I am graduating from the BSN program next month and constantly thinking what unit to choose for the job
Thanks a lot!

as far as i know, she just has nicu experience as an RN. I really like how Columbia's the program is front-loaded. We get most of the didactic portion out of the way at the beginning. I'm a commuter, as most of us are, and it is great that we come in only on Mondays, and Tuesdays. The classes are clustered so we have the rest of week to study. I haven't started clinicals yet but I hear the experiences are amazing and the students feel very prepared when they enter the "real world". As far as salaries - i'd google it and check around. I don't know off the top of my head. I can't even think about it - I just want to get through this program and then I'll worry about that later. as far as i know, the job market is very good. there will always be a huge need for anesthesia providers. I don't think there is any salary during residency -one of my classmates mentioned that he heard a rumor but i think it was a joke. We'll have plenty of time to make money later. for now, Sally mae is supporting us. I don't know anything about Suny. but each school has open houses that you could attend to ask questions.

if you haven't worked on the unit yet, and you know that you want to become a CRNA (i'm assuming you have shadowed - if you haven't, i highly recommend that you do - make sure you know what you are getting yourself into!) - anyway, if you know that this is that path that you are leading to, I would prob go for a unit where you will learn as much as you can and get some really intense experiences. If I only had one year.. and I knew that this was what i wanted to do, I'd try to get some open heart ICU experience. it is NOT necessary for all schools, obviously, but it may help give you an edge; also, you don't want to put all of your eggs in one basket. other schools you apply to may not take nicu. (for example, suny may not -i have no idea, but you never know). okay, i have procrastinated way too much - got to get back to studying!