CRNA School? Is it too early?

Nursing Students SRNA

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Specializes in ICU.

Hello my fellow nurses! I need some input...

I've been working on my CVICU unit for the past 3 months. I've been a nurse for over a year (worked in the ER for 1 year and moved to CVICU). Now, I'm attempting to plan a timeline of where I'd like to be in the next 3 years or so, and I know want to attend CRNA school. I've gone back and forth about either becoming a NP while in the ER, but after moving to CVICU I've realized how interested I've become with the profession, while taking care of my intubated and sedated patients. (I believe 3 years will move quickly, and I want to make sure I have some sort of plan/timeline before getting married and committing to other responsibilities outside of work...but obviously there are some things we cannot control but I think you get what I mean!)

So, would applying to CRNA school next year be too early? Again, I started working on my CVICU unit in August of this year (2018). Next year, I'd apply in August 2019 and hypothetically start the program I'm interested in (if I were to get in) the following year in the fall (2020). I'd continue to work on my unit until school started which would give me a 2 years of CVICU experience, and an overall total of 3 years of nursing experience.

  • My GPA out of nursing school was 3.63.
  • I have my bachelors in nursing.
  • I have recently joined the CLABSI committee on my unit.
  • I plan to getting CCRN certified after completing 1 year of CVICU experience.
  • I still have to take my GRE.

I know, I won't be the most seasoned nurse but I do know I want to become a CRNA and the more I spend time on my unit taking care of fresh heart and lung patients from the OR motivates me to pursue this field of nursing. I want to know if you guys think I'll have a shot at getting into CRNA school or if I should wait and gain more experience even before thinking about applying. Your opinions will be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in ICU.

When will your manager write you a recommendation letter? My CTICU manager makes it clear during your interview that she absolutely supports everyone going back to school, and will do whatever she needs to make it happen - after you've given her two years of service. Also not sure what the market for CRNA schools in your area is, but just because you meet the minimum applicant criteria doesn't mean you're necessarily a competitive applicant: your oneish year of experience may be up against people with 3-5 years ICU experience, charge nurses, ECMO certified... why not give it a few years and make your app the strongest it can be? CLABSI committee is nice, but...

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Specializes in ICU.
Luckyyou said:
When will your manager write you a recommendation letter? My CTICU manager makes it clear during your interview that she absolutely supports everyone going back to school, and will do whatever she needs to make it happen - after you've given her two years of service. Also not sure what the market for CRNA schools in your area is, but just because you meet the minimum applicant criteria doesn't mean you're necessarily a competitive applicant: your oneish year of experience may be up against people with 3-5 years ICU experience, charge nurses, ECMO certified... why not give it a few years and make your app the strongest it can be? CLABSI committee is nice, but...

Thank you Luckyyou, I really appreciate your input. That is something that I haven't even thought about because I didn't plan on asking until I gave 1 year to the unit...but maybe it'd be good to ask now so I know how much time I'd have to dedicate before asking for a rec. letter. Yep, that's what I thought as well bc there are going to be many more experienced nurses I'll be competing against. Hopefully with time, I can gain more experience and get certified for different things to better my application for the future. Thanks for your thoughts!

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Most CRNA schools want at least 2 years of critical care experience along with the certifications.

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I got into a great CRNA program and I applied right after my 1 year mark. I didn't even have a managers recommendation because it's against policy at the hospital I worked at. My experience was also in a level 2 trauma center in the neuro/trauma ICU. Essentially, I got in despite everything I read about needing to work in a SICU or CVICU or having 2-3 years of ICU experience. Apply when you're ready and you've taken the GRE and CCRN. The worst that happens is you don't get in and you apply the next year. But you'll never know until you try!

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It can't hurt....and you've got that year in the ED as well. If it was a good ED, with sick patients, and you feel comfortable with the sickest patients on your unit after a year in CV, can't hurt to try. My school actually has someone who most of their experience is from the ED with very remote ICU so...yeah. Its doable but depends on you. Also, shadow a couple CRNAs to make sure, plus admissions committees will look for that.

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Specializes in ICU.

Thanks for your input. I'm going to focus on getting my GRE and CCRN done. I really do enjoy the CVICU, but I also want to plan ahead bc preparing the GRE and CCRN takes time. I really appreciate you for sharing your experiences and background! I'm also going to start shadowing at a nearby hospital w/ a CRNA so hopefully that'll help!

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Apply to Bryan college of health Sciences. They will count your ED experience and you will get in no problem as long as you do okay on the GRE and the interview. Your stats look similar to previous accepted applicants. Message me if you want details. I got accepted at Bryan with only a year of ICU experience and I started on ICU so this was the only RN experience I had.

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Plus it is an amazing school. It is in nebraska so I think this is why it isn't super competitive and they'll consider ED experience.

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Not too early at all. Go for it.

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I would suggest to do both. Make your application/stats better and apply now. Your stats so far are ok but you can make up for the gpa which is not that bad although you left out the science gpa which is important to some programs, but you can make up for it by taking grad pharm or patho. Also, I would highly recommend getting your CSC and CMC certifications. No matter what anyone says they do matter. Keep volunteering that looks great and I have been asked twice about that in interviews which I have done. Definitely study and take the GRE, so you can apply to more programs. Cast a wide net and don't limit yourself to just local or a few programs. Oh and shadow CRNAs as much as you can, this is a must, more than just one day if you can, doesn't even need to be a full day, maybe 3-4 4hr days. I've been asked a few times about my shadowing experience. Definitely do not wait. Apply now and later if need be but definitely continue to make yourself the best applicant. Also try to be a relief charge nurse if possible, committees, teaching opportunities, research etc. Right now your stats are ok and maybe at some of the high volume programs you can get an interview but you need to find ways to separate yourself. Plus going through the process helps a lot and if you nab an interview and go through that process it will help for the 2nd, 3rd, and subsequent interviews.

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Your goal should not be how fast or how minimum your experiences have to be to get accepted. Your goal should be how do you become a great nurse, and then a great CRNA. If your CVICU with a busy one, there is simply no possible way you have learned and mastered all you should or all you can. While one does not "need" more experience to meet minimum standard, why not do what gives your the strongest base, and the strongest move going forward for your career? The fact that you are asking this question at all means you already know the answer, and you just want to hear a different response.

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