Experience before CRNA school

[rnrn10]

I would like to know how many years of experience, your GPA, GRE, and anything else that might be helpful, did you have when you were accepted to CRNA school? Also, how many beds did your unit have where you got most of your experience?

I really would like to become a CRNA, I get nervous sometimes and worry that I won't succeed or something. Right now I'm in nursing school for my BSN and my GPA is a 3.5. I'm hoping to find a good job in an ICU unit back home.

Would you recommend working in the city or is that not of importance, as long as you have the experience?

[rnrn10]

I would like to know for future references:

1) How many years experience

2) GPA

3) GRE

4) Anything else that might be helpful

5) How many beds did your unit have?

Did you have before you got accepted to CRNA school.

I'm curious to how many beds because I have a friend who's a nurse and she said the bigger the better and it's better to get experience in the city. But honestly, I don't like the city and don't want to work there. I'm currently in school now to get my BSN and have 2 years to go. I'm very nervous about entering the nursing world and fear I will be a failure or forget everything I learn, or realize I'm not smart and strong enough to handle the demands. But I'm sure a lot of people felt this way too.

Right now my GPA is 3.5 and I work at a hospital where I go to school doing CNA work (although I'm not certified) and plan on getting trained on the monitors as well. Any advice and words of wisdom?

[may2kd]

Most of these questions are answered already in the Pre-CRNA forum, but here's my information.

BS: Biology 2.8 with 3 years of undergrad research in pain sensitivity in neonatal rats

BSN: 3.2 in a 2nd degree accelerated program

GREs: verbal 600, math 570, writing 4

2+ years in SICU at a level 1 trauma center

Certifications in PA Caths, VADs, CRRT, IABPs from my hospital

BLS, ACLS, PALS

CCRN

My best advice to you keep working hard on your BSN. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't start off in the ICU as a new grad. Take 2 years (even though they only require 1) to get a good foundation in the ICU before going to anesthesia school. It really doesn't matter what type of ICU you work in, although most schools don't take NICU, PACU or ED. Only some take PICU. Take all the extra education certification classes you can, that way you can take the sickest patients (you learn more from them). I worked in a teaching facility, so I got to learn along side the residents because our attendings were awesome teachers.

I applied to 6 schools, was invited to interview at 4 of them (only went to 3) and got accepted into at least 1. I'm still waiting to hear back from one of them. Regardless I'll start school in August 2009.

Good luck with the rest of your school!

[slcpicu]

hey how's it going.

1. I have 4 years experience...will have 5 when I start school.

2.GPA 3.84

3. waived for GPA

4. well i know you said you didn't like the city but the city will most likely have higher acuity pts and therefore a better learning opportunity. I would suggest being in a Level I Trauma Center if possible.

5. I have worked a few places both pediatric and adult ICU. PICU MS 16 bed Level I. SLC 32 bed PICU level I. CVICU-Peds Denver 16 beds. Adult ICU level I Denver TSICU 28, CICU 12, and MICU 14.

Alot of the information you will learn post nursing school and feeling like you learned nothing while in school is normal. Try and learn as much as you can when you get out. Also it might not be wise to inform your future employors of your goals to become a CRNA. ICU's invest alot to train you and to find out your only there for a short period they might choose someone without your goals. If you are serious about your goals, I would strongly suggest a large hospital due to most often better experiences.

GOOD LUCK!!