CRNA resume.........Opinions please

linemen30 · Apr 24, 2008

looks good to me. Good Luck, where are you applying. That makes a difference.

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Apr 25, 2008

You are applying to be a CRNA (an Advanced practice nurse) At least two of your resumes should be from nurses, preferably one by a nurse manager that has worked closely with you and one advanced practice nurse. One from an MD is a nice touch, but more than one the interview team will think you are confused by the role you are seeking.

I know this from my interview. (I've since been thru school, working and now occassionally interview for crna school applicants.

lovegasRN, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2008

Are you kidding??? Your resume is going to look awesome! I was feeling pretty good about my own until I saw yours! Good luck on the GRE. I'm sure you'll do great. The only thing I can think of that I didn't see on there was shadowing a CRNA. Are you applying for 2009 admission? Where are you applying? I am going to be applying for 2009 admission. Wish me luck, sounds like I might need it.

mcvcrna · Apr 25, 2008

Looks great! I second the recommendations made about your references. It's best to have one from your nurse manager and another RN you work with. A character/motivation reference from a CRNA you followed is always good as well. The MD reference is debatable. When I have served on an admissions committee and see an MD reference I question the intent of the reference--is it supposed to impress me, are you sure you don't want to go to med school? I want to know what your peers think or another CRNA think about you. Just food for thought....

MmmQuiznos · Apr 25, 2008

Sounds to me like you are a highly qualified candidate with a lot of experience, so you should do fine in the interview process. Only recommendation that I would get are the references. MDs are nice and all, and they'd be ideal for med school. However, the best references you could get are from CRNAs and anesthesiologists. Possibly the chief CRNA/MD would be good. Cause they know what the job/school is like and they can say how you'd be a great addition . . . etc. etc. Personally I got recommendations from CRNAs, anesthesiologists, and my old nursing school professor (to show my book smart side, or what little book smart side I have hehe). Tailor everything to your audience. Other than that get your chem and stats.

JOEYZ · Apr 27, 2008

Wow............this is excellent feedback guys. I definately appreciate it. I hadnt considered the way that might look. One reference was going to be from one of the heart surgeons that I work with that asked me if he could write one. The second one was going to be from the director of anesthesia who is an MDA that I have worked with for years and is VERY pro CRNA suprisingly, and the last one was going to be the director of critical care who is the chief pulmonologist whom I have worked for directly in the past performing PFT's in his office. I had considered the CRNA's that I work with, however at this point in time a lot of them are locums and the ones that are regular staff are CRNA's that I have very limited contact with. I usually get report from them on a heart and then might not see them again for another month. Getting a fellow nurse or my director would not be a problem at all. My director offered to write me one, however sometimes it makes me little afraid to do so becasue she has joked that she doesnt want me to leave. My primary interests are Newman University and KU. I have several friends who attenend Newman and love it. I have heard a few anesthesiologist comment on the quality of their program as well.

mcvcrna · Apr 27, 2008

Wow............this is excellent feedback guys. I definately appreciate it. I hadnt considered the way that might look. One reference was going to be from one of the heart surgeons that I work with that asked me if he could write one. The second one was going to be from the director of anesthesia who is an MDA that I have worked with for years and is VERY pro CRNA suprisingly, and the last one was going to be the director of critical care who is the chief pulmonologist whom I have worked for directly in the past performing PFT's in his office. I had considered the CRNA's that I work with, however at this point in time a lot of them are locums and the ones that are regular staff are CRNA's that I have very limited contact with. I usually get report from them on a heart and then might not see them again for another month. Getting a fellow nurse or my director would not be a problem at all. My director offered to write me one, however sometimes it makes me little afraid to do so becasue she has joked that she doesnt want me to leave. My primary interests are Newman University and KU. I have several friends who attenend Newman and love it. I have heard a few anesthesiologist comment on the quality of their program as well.

Just emphasize the importance, to your nurse manager, of her recommendation. In the program where I have served on the admissions committee, all the data were weighted. Overall GPA, science GPA, organic and statistics grade, references, personal statement, GRE scores(divided up and overall, interview, and so on. So, if you have one from a nurse manager it receive two additional points. If you get one from a CRNA it received an additional point. The CRNA doesn't have to know everything about you. Getting one from one you follow is best but one from a CRNA that recognizes that you are a conscientious nurse will help as well. Also important is this little known unwritten rule--your references should be from people who you know will rate you well. You have the control over who you pick--pick people that will reflect you positively, not critically. This sound strange but think about it. Commonly, applicants will get a reference from someone they respect or who is perceived as a 'raising the bar' practitioner-usually an MD in my experience. Unfortunately, the applicant is the only one who knows this, so if the reference reflects only 'good' and 'very good' and not much in the way of 'superior', the points for that reference go down. Their 'very good' might be great in your book but the paper doesn't change that. If the 'references' are weighted at 10-20% of your application you just compromised that percentage.

Keep in mind that every program has a different way in which they select applicants. Each programs philosophy may emphasize different aspects of your skills and apply them as they see fit to judge your ability to succeed. However, I have tried to be more common sense with my advice and feel my paradigm is probably more indicative of the process than not. Hope this helps. Good luck. Remember, following a CRNA will alway, always help and will never hurt. If you haven't, I would.

JOEYZ · Apr 27, 2008

I really appreciate you taking the time to write this. I wasnt aware of the points system that you outlined. I have researched the application and interview process extensively, however a lot of this information isnt available. Thank you for taking the time to explain it.

Just emphasize the importance, to your nurse manager, of her recommendation. In the program where I have served on the admissions committee, all the data were weighted. Overall GPA, science GPA, organic and statistics grade, references, personal statement, GRE scores(divided up and overall, interview, and so on. So, if you have one from a nurse manager it receive two additional points. If you get one from a CRNA it received an additional point. The CRNA doesn't have to know everything about you. Getting one from one you follow is best but one from a CRNA that recognizes that you are a conscientious nurse will help as well. Also important is this little known unwritten rule--your references should be from people who you know will rate you well. You have the control over who you pick--pick people that will reflect you positively, not critically. This sound strange but think about it. Commonly, applicants will get a reference from someone they respect or who is perceived as a 'raising the bar' practitioner-usually an MD in my experience. Unfortunately, the applicant is the only one who knows this, so if the reference reflects only 'good' and 'very good' and not much in the way of 'superior', the points for that reference go down. Their 'very good' might be great in your book but the paper doesn't change that. If the 'references' are weighted at 10-20% of your application you just compromised that percentage.
Keep in mind that every program has a different way in which they select applicants. Each programs philosophy may emphasize different aspects of your skills and apply them as they see fit to judge your ability to succeed. However, I have tried to be more common sense with my advice and feel my paradigm is probably more indicative of the process than not. Hope this helps. Good luck. Remember, following a CRNA will alway, always help and will never hurt. If you haven't, I would.

sn2bcrna · Jun 14, 2008

Hello! I am in the same boat as you. I graduate in December and I am starting to make my resume now. Did you get any helpful advice or samples? What about all of my clinical sites? Do I list each one in my resume? Or what about awards/honors from undergrad?

Thanks!

sunny783 · Sep 14, 2009

MCVCRNA, I'm applying to school right now and really have no idea how my resume looks and was wondering if you would consider reading it over and giving me some tips?

trav2CRNA · Sep 17, 2009

Sorry I just have a quick question for those on here that have done the admissions board for CRNA school.

I just interviewed this week (as Case) and although i think my resumes good, (my experience is great, my GRE and GPA are comparable, my references are outstanding, surgical missionary work, etc)---

i got pretty nervous in the interview. i wouldnt say it was the worst interview ever but i was quite nervous and tongue-tied for half of it. Although i feel confident in my nursing practice and never hesitate in critical situations- i felt more like i was giving a speech to an audience!

Do you think the interview really hurt me? You still think I have a chance?