experience before school

experience? I have no medical experience at all. I have never heard of it being required, do you mean CNA experience? Alot of people do not. I start the ADN at my CC in august and will work as an RN when I am done while I take classes part-time toward my BSN. That way my employer will pay for them and I will get my experience as well as a pay check!

I realize that most programs require at least 1 year of experience, but what is your story? How long did you wait to apply? I am currently in an associate program so I will need to complete by BSN before applying, but would like to know how much experience helps during school.

The more the better, and critical care too. I find that there are now many situations in which my critical care experience lends to problem-solving situations that I personally would not have without it. That said, please know that many programs seem to be oriented for the nurse without as much experience and newer to nursing as a whole. I think it may be something about teaching nurses without having to break old (bad) habits??? I don't know for sure.

Either way there is a place for you if it is in your heart. Study hard and make EXCELLENT grades as you complete your program and BSN, work hard and soak it up and if you really want to do it, start now into looking at programs and shadow a CRNA for a day. Each of the interviews I attended asked if I had done that. Best of luck,

Z

I had 8 months of experience when i was accepted, 2 years by the time I actually started the program. My classmates had anywhere between 2 years and 10+ years experience. Many people had done other things before nursing-- myself a biologist, one a resp. therapist, one a paramedic,. and one a vet tech. I'm glad I'm doing CRNA school while still young, but other people don't feel ready until later. I do get comments in clinical sometimes about how young I am.