Future UIC BSN student, looking into further options: CRNA in Illinois

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hi!

So I have recently been accepted into UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) for their Fall admit BSN program. A little background, I have a BA in Psychology, just got my CNA, and excited to start nursing school. I'm a little 'older' than a traditional student at 25 years young, but I feel that I am more ready to conquer nursing school now than I would have been earlier in life.

With that being said, I just got a job in the ICU as a CNA and I will be starting at UIC in August. I am trying to plan out my academic career and I REALLY want to attend school to be a CRNA after my BSN. I am taking the GRE April 2017 as I have had time to study before I start nursing school.

I am wondering if anyone has any education or employment tips to prepare myself for CRNA applications, specifically Rosalind Franklin, North Shore, and Rush University. I live in the south suburbs of Chicago and won't be commuting to Millikin or SIU anytime in the future. I will be done with my BSN program in May 2019.

Thanks in advance!

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Sarah,

Congratulations on starting your journey to become a nurse. Almost all of the CRNA programs in the area have the same admission requirements as these are dictated by both our professional accrediting body and our universities. At a minimum, you will need a 3.0 or better GPA with a strong GPA in the sciences. Once you become an RN, you will need at least 1 year of critical care experience. This is best accomplished by working in a large urban medical center where you would care for the very sickest of patients while learning to manage vasoactive infusions, both noninvasive and invasive monitoring modalities, and ventilators. As you mention, you will also need a "good" score on the GRE. To give you some perspective, the "average" student that we admitted last year had a 3.5 overall GPA, with a 3.4 GPA in sciences. GRE scores in the top 30% and 3.5 years of ICU experience. If you would like to talk further, or come up and take a tour, feel free to message me.

Good luck with your BSN!

Franklin McShane, DNP, CRNA, APNP

Program Director, Nurse Anesthesia Program

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

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How do I message you directly? I have some questions! I am applying now to start May 2018.

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1. Focus on getting good grades in your BSN. Arguably one of the hardest things to overcome as a CRNA applicant is a poor GPA because it is very hard to raise it after the fact. Getting great grades in your BSN is critical, work less and study more if you can afford it.

2. Shadow a lot of advanced practice nurses after school to decide what you want to do. I was adamant that I would hate being a CRNA because it was boring; then I shadowed and realized I was wrong. It was only after I shadowed that I knew I would never be happy doing anything except anesthesia. Your goals may change so keep all your options open.

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