2022 CRNA Start UT Health — Houston

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hello Everyone!

I am starting a super early thread for all the anxious people like me (raise your hand if COVID increased your anxiety ?‍♀️). I plan on applying to UT Health Science Center’s CRNA program here in Houston during the feb 2021 application cycle for the 2022 start date... I created this thread so we can all communicate about our process and journey, as well as potentially get advice and stats from those accepted before us!!

My Stats are meh, I am not really sure how I would stand out compared to most of you guys applying so I plan on getting as close as possible to acing my GRE, I’ve been studying for it for about a month now...

my nursing/science GPA : 3.26

CCRN, ACLS, PALS,

by the time I apply I will have worked 2 years as a CV/surgical ICU nurse right here in the med center at a top cardio hospital, trained on CRRT, ECMO, and Balloon pumps.

I plan on taking my GRE between December/Feb.

Will be taking Organic Chemistry and college algebra this fall! Will also take one or two advanced courses in Spring to boost my GPA a little LOL.

UT health is my first choice...

then baylor,

and last choice is tex wes ( only due to cost )

So yeah, lots of work ahead, but I am motivated. Any-who, tell me how your stats are and what you look forward to!

Hi everyone! I'm glad I'm not the only one out here that's anxious and prepping for application season :)

Similar to @NurseNA, I am fairly new as a nurse but still really want to apply. The main thing that I am concerned about is that I lack my CCRN. I know that UT Houston does not require it, but it's "highly recommended". Other than my CCRN, the rest of my stats are (imo) decent. I'm just scared that I won't hold up as a competitive applicant because of this despite the rest of my qualifications :/ Any advice?

Also, good luck to all those applying!

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm applying this year too. I have one year of MICU experience and one year of CVICU experience. Trained to take CRRT, IABP, Impella. I'm currently travel nursing to prepare financially. I have ACLS, BLS, and PALS. I took the CCRN in December and passed. I just finished my organic class. The only thing I have left is the GRE and I'll be able to submit my application. 

I took organic through Doane University. All online and it has a lab. It cost me around $1800 I believe. It's an 8 week class. The only test was the final and it wasn't proctored. It's A LOT of self teaching. I felt it was very doable working full time. Keep in mind it was the only class I took at the time and I wasn't studying for anything else during those 8 weeks. I feel like there are more affordable options if you do more shopping around. If you have any questions on whether or not the class you're looking at is accepted, just email the school. They got back to me within a few hours with a yes or no.

For the CCRN I used the Barron's book and the AACN CCRN resources. I wouldn't pay for the AACN videos again. Barron's is really all you need. I felt the Barron's practice tests were much harder than the actual CCRN. 

For the GRE I'm using Magoosh. I bought a GRE book but I like Magoosh better. The math videos are really helping me out a lot more.

My GPA is 3.6 and I haven't been part of any committees at my old full time jobs. Now that I'm travel nursing, I won't have the opportunity anymore. The only thing I can think to make me stand out is to take the CMC or CSC.

Hope this helps someone!

 

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Specializes in Critical Care.
On 3/15/2021 at 3:45 AM, templean said:

I'm applying this year too. I have one year of MICU experience and one year of CVICU experience. Trained to take CRRT, IABP, Impella. I'm currently travel nursing to prepare financially. I have ACLS, BLS, and PALS. I took the CCRN in December and passed. I just finished my organic class. The only thing I have left is the GRE and I'll be able to submit my application. 

I took organic through Doane University. All online and it has a lab. It cost me around $1800 I believe. It's an 8 week class. The only test was the final and it wasn't proctored. It's A LOT of self teaching. I felt it was very doable working full time. Keep in mind it was the only class I took at the time and I wasn't studying for anything else during those 8 weeks. I feel like there are more affordable options if you do more shopping around. If you have any questions on whether or not the class you're looking at is accepted, just email the school. They got back to me within a few hours with a yes or no.

For the CCRN I used the Barron's book and the AACN CCRN resources. I wouldn't pay for the AACN videos again. Barron's is really all you need. I felt the Barron's practice tests were much harder than the actual CCRN. 

For the GRE I'm using Magoosh. I bought a GRE book but I like Magoosh better. The math videos are really helping me out a lot more.

My GPA is 3.6 and I haven't been part of any committees at my old full time jobs. Now that I'm travel nursing, I won't have the opportunity anymore. The only thing I can think to make me stand out is to take the CMC or CSC.

Hope this helps someone!

 

I also am travel nursing and haven’t been a part of any committees. I’m concerned about getting references. Any ideas?

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Specializes in ICU.

I already have references from past staff jobs

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Specializes in SICU.
On 1/28/2021 at 8:55 PM, TexasRN_826 said:

does anyone know if you submit letters of recommendation before you finish your application - if they hold on to them?

 

sounds like a silly question but Im trying to have the faculty submitting letters for me while I study for GRE and then Ill move on to finishing the essay portions of the application. 

I thought it was okay that they would save all the letters before I submit the application, so I asked one of my professors send it out. Now it got lost! I don’t want to bother the same professor again and I’m trying to find someone else to write me a letter. I would recommend do that after you submit the application. 

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Specializes in MICU/CCU/CTICU.

Hi @headofcurls the last 3 years of my 6 years ICU experience I have been a travel nurse to save money before the big step of applying to the DNAP. I suggest that you should ask two recent nurse managers/supervisors you have worked with via traveling, for a recommendation letter since, it's not consistent. I am also applying for the Summer 2022 cohort. I graduated with 3.9 overall GPA for my BSN with 3.75 science GPA. Due to the tuition being cheap, I feel that their entrance program is very competitive. I do have my CCRN and TNCC. The only thing I need to complete is my GRE.

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Specializes in ICU.
On 3/21/2021 at 2:49 PM, headofcurls said:

I also am travel nursing and haven’t been a part of any committees. I’m concerned about getting references. Any ideas?

I just got done with my first travel assignment and thought about this comment. If you still need references, I would try and connect with the manager or house/nursing supervisor. I work nights and hardly ever saw my manager. On my last night, the night nursing supervisor said he would write me a letter of recommendation if I needed one, which took me by surprise. My best advice is to work hard and speak to/ get to know either the manager or supervisor as you can! Good luck!

If anyone is looking into applying to Texas Wesleyan, they finally updated their website. Applications due Nov. 1. 

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Specializes in ICU.

Has anyone sent in letters of recommendation yet? I have one from February I've been holding onto until I submit my application. That one said to mail it in, so I have it in an envelope ready to go. I'm on the admission requirements page looking for the letter of recommendation form to send to my other recommenders. Now it seems like it's saying you can e-mail it, but the form doesn't look the same. Has anyone else come across this?

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Specializes in ICU.

I had two of my references mail in their recommendation letter and the third is going to e-mail it. The two who mailed in their recommendation letter have been received and accepted for my application. I am just waiting for the third who e-mailed it to be accepted. I don't think it will be a problem if you send off the envelope. It looks like this is something they recently changed. 

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Specializes in SICU.

I’m a little confused about the GPA calculation for UT. Are they counting the last 60 credits of Undergraduate courses? So if you have graduate credits, those do not count?

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Specializes in ICU.
On 6/13/2021 at 6:40 PM, ICUnerd11 said:

I had two of my references mail in their recommendation letter and the third is going to e-mail it. The two who mailed in their recommendation letter have been received and accepted for my application. I am just waiting for the third who e-mailed it to be accepted. I don't think it will be a problem if you send off the envelope. It looks like this is something they recently changed. 

How long did it take for them to receive and accept the mailed ones?

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Specializes in ICU.

I am not sure. They were able to apply them to my application, once application was submitted though. 

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