Got a wild hair, would just like some information...

SNEMU · Jul 23, 2006

I'm not a CRNA, I am still a nursing student. However, I have researched a lot of CRNA schools. Have you checked out the stickies on the pre-CRNA forum yet? they are very informative.

1. The best advice that I can offer you (and the most frequent advice that I see others on this board giving) is to contact the individual program(s) that you are interested in and find out if they require your experience to be experience with a BSN. All of the schools that I have looked at do not require that. So if you can work full time while getting your BSN that experience would count.

2. If you read through many of the posts on both this page and the pre-CRNA page you will notice that many people have posted similar questions about their specific grades (myself included). The general response seems to be that CRNA schools look at the big picture. They look at the GPA, the GRE, the work experience etc. Not just one thing. But, if your one C is a pre-req for the school you are interested in then you will probably want to re-take that class. I have also heard that some schools really like to see that you've retaken a class for a better grade because it shows your dedication to working toward your goal.

3. I don't know much about the GRE but a friend of mine recommened the Kaplan GRE prep book.

Good luck and I hope this helps you a little. Hopefully someday we will both be CRNAs!

jacads · Jul 23, 2006

A 3.3 is not that bad how are your science GPA's? Take the GRE and see how you do that is an indicator of how you will do in CRNA school (according to some school directors I talked to). Get some instructor certs ACLS, PALS, NRP, get your TNCC, ENPC (these are easy to obtain) CCRN/CEN certification would also be a big plus. Get some references from CRNAs for school (the gold standard) and I think you would do fine.

I would like some information about becoming a CRNA.
1. I'm an ASN now, if I was to get a job in ICU while I worked on a BSN would my work experience as an ASN count? Or will the schools only consider work experience gained as a BSN?
2. I'm not an exceptionally bright student. My overall GPA is a 3.3 and I have mostly B's with several A's and one C. Will this hurt me?
I have heard how fierce competition is to get into CRNA school, but I also heard the same thing about nursing school; I was told out of 200 applicants to the LPN program only 15 would be chosen and I got in the first time and the same thing with the RN program. I got in the RN program on my first try but then decided to go the LPN route first because it was closer to my home at the time...anyway, I just wonder if it is really as dreadful a process to get in as I hear it is? That is what really scares me, because I hate to think I invest so much time and energy into something (obtaining a BSN, then working another 1+ yrs. to gain work experience to get into CRNA school, only to be turned down and told I'm not good enough).
3. Is it a good idea to go to a class or get a tutor to prepare for the GRE?

Jo Dirt · Jul 23, 2006

My C was in one of my nursing courses, I got an A in general biology a B in A&P and microbiology and chemistry I...I feel so lucky to have gotten that B in chemistry, I had to work like a dog for it. If physics is a requirement for CRNA school I may as well forget it. I took biology and chemistry from a regular college and A&P and microbiology via distance education, so I hope that doesn't hurt me.

Also, my ASN is from Excelsior College. I only have the nursing courses left to take before I could get a BSN from Excelsior, but I don't know if CRNA schools will look down on Excelsior.

I don't know if God put this idea in my head or not, but I've been trying hard to find my "niche" in my career and even life in general. I've been having so much self doubt lately, just feeling lost and like I'm heading nowhere. It is a noble thing to be a nurse and to have the perserverance to stay in an area and in a place and make a difference there. I know nurses who have been in a certain area like ICU or home health or the nursing home for years and years but I can't see myself doing that, seems if I'm not running and feeling like I'm going somewhere "better" I get very depressed. My husband and his girlfriend say I am an overcompensator, I sometimes feel like I'm running to keep from having to accept myself as I am. Maybe that is the case, I don't know. At any rate, I woke up yesterday morning and CRNA was on my brain. I never thought I would have the intelligence to do it, but I heard someone make the comment that CRNA schools basically take you if you have ICU experience and a pulse. That filled my heart with hope, because I think I can meet that criterion.

Now, if I can just get my foot in the door and find a hospital that will accept me in the ICU or CCU. That will be harder, because I have only had my RN license a few months.

deepz · Jul 24, 2006

.......My husband and his girlfriend say I am an overcompensator........At any rate, I woke up yesterday morning and CRNA was on my brain. .........

OK, MM.

Try waking up tomorrow, opening the Yellow Pages, and making an appointment with a counselor. If ... IF ... you are living with a husband who has another woman on the side, you need some help, help you cannot find on this BB. Sorry.

Best wishes.

deepz

Jo Dirt · Jul 24, 2006

OK, MM.
Try waking up tomorrow, opening the Yellow Pages, and making an appointment with a counselor. If ... IF ... you are living with a husband who has another woman on the side, you need some help, help you cannot find on this BB. Sorry.
Best wishes.
deepz

We've been kicked out of counseling 3x by 3 different counselors. Last one told us she didn't know why we stayed together.

I don't know, either.

AmiK25 · Jul 24, 2006

Somehow this sentence didnt' end up in quotes but it is supposed to be "I never thought I would have the intelligence to do it, but I heard someone make the comment that CRNA schools basically take you if you have ICU experience and a pulse."

Now, I'm not saying you don't have what it takes to get into an anesthesia program, but that statement is definitely not true!! There are many applicants for a very small number of positions in most anesthesia programs.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Jul 25, 2006

Somehow this sentence didnt' end up in quotes but it is supposed to be "I never thought I would have the intelligence to do it, but I heard someone make the comment that CRNA schools basically take you if you have ICU experience and a pulse."
Now, I'm not saying you don't have what it takes to get into an anesthesia program, but that statement is definitely not true!! There are many applicants for a very small number of positions in most anesthesia programs.

I think there might have been a time where admission was that easy, but not any more! It's a competitive and stressful process these days.

To the OP: If you are willing to work hard and you really want this, you can do the academics. However, it sounds like you need to work out some kinks in your personal life first. I am happily married with a husband who has accepted all this insanity with grace, and CRNA school is hard enough for me with all that support! I don't see how you could possibly make it through while starting out in a nonfunctional relationship. Marriages are strained a lot by school as well. In your situation, you will not have the emotional energy to devote to school.

Good luck with your career and your personal situation.