Frustration: CRNA finally within reach... I hope...

[tenshiblue]

I am an associate degree RN, and I will be finishing my BSN this coming December. I am finally eligible to apply for CRNA school this fall semester. As soon as I finished my associated degree, I've worked full time and gone to school part time to complete my BSN. I feel worn out; nevertheless, I'm looking forward to continuing on to achieve my final career goal.

I'm frustrated because my husband and I have basically put all of our lives on hold for over ten years. We've delayed having children and not settling down due to my future career choice. I understand how competitive CRNAs schools are. My biological clock is ticking. I'm not young anymore. I'm worried that I don't have the time to wait year in and year out until a school finally accepts me.

My current statistics:

3 years of adult critical care experience if I am accepted into a program next fall. (I work in an adult med/surgical ICU. Our ICU is a jack of all trades. We get open hearts, neuro patients, surgical patients, medical patients, etc...) I am not sure if this matters, but I have 2 years of adult med/surg nursing experience as well.

GPA

Associate Degree in Nursing 3.778 (My associate degree was a nightmare. We started out with 50 students. Only 8 out of the original 50 made it all the way through.)

BSN 3.62 (My nursing courses are 4.0. The only reason why GPA is so low is because of the computer science courses, higher level calculus, and other courses that I took for a computer engineering degree 8 years ago.)

GRE

Verbal 540 (I've never been good at English. English was not my first language, and it is not the language that I grew up with at home.)

Quantitative 750

Analytical Writing (I took this test 2 days ago, so I don't have my grade yet.)

I'm applying to four CRNA schools. What do you guys think of my chances of getting an interview and actually getting accepted? I get pretty nervous in interviews. I'm not spectacular, but I think I'll make it through.

[shandsburnRN-CRNA]

I think you have a really good chance of being accepted to a program.

[SanFranSRNA]

I really think that you will be ok...Apply...and wait and see....

[seansanf120]

Hi there,

I can tell you that your stats look good enough to get an interview. From there it's up to you. The interviews are what's going to set you apart from everyone else because you have to think that everyone has decent grades, good letters, and the required experience, but you should get an interview for sure.

I don't know what your situation is, but you said you were putting off having children until you're done with school, right? I have two young kids, and have applied to anesthesia school for next fall admission. However, my wife is incredible. We have been supportive of each other and she knows full well what my schedule, and time committment will be, but she knows this is my dream and we're going to give it a shot. I would say that I would of rather waited, but things happen. My friend just started anesthesia school last week, and she said the majority of her classmates are married, and half of those students have kids. There are also a handful with newborns and infants. So it can be done with kids, but you just have to ask yourself if you have the support you need, and if you're ready to sacrafice some facetime with the kids during the duration of the program. I wish you the best of luck on your application.

seansanf120