graduate classes prior to applying

Athlein1 · May 5, 2004

FYI - some programs require or strongly recommend a physics class. Check out the programs that interest you for more information.

Also, some programs let you start graduate-level coursework that counts toward your CRNA degree before you actually start the program. Someone on this board did that in the midwest somewhere. Anyone know details?

If you are not aiming to raise your GPA or take required courses, why not save that money and time in exchange for something else like CCRN certification or TNCC?

rhp123 · May 9, 2004

FYI - some programs require or strongly recommend a physics class. Check out the programs that interest you for more information.
Also, some programs let you start graduate-level coursework that counts toward your CRNA degree before you actually start the program. Someone on this board did that in the midwest somewhere. Anyone know details?
If you are not aiming to raise your GPA or take required courses, why not save that money and time in exchange for something else like CCRN certification or TNCC?

Curious, what is CCRN or TNCC? Thanks

athomas91 · May 9, 2004

i go to Drexel in philly - and although i was accepted to the program 2 years before i started - they allow you to take five of the classes (3 are allowed to be done online)- they allowed me to take 2 classes at the university of delaware (since i live in maryland) and they accepted them as transfers...just talk to the program director and find out which classes they allow you to take - so that you don't waste your time or money.

TraumaNurse · May 9, 2004

I agree that you should speak with the programs you are applying to about which courses they will allow. The school I am attending only allows for 2 courses to be transfered in or taken prior to starting the program. As far as which courses to take, I would lean towards taking advanced Pathophysiology or adv. Pharmacology. These are fairly heavy courses and would help to lighten the load for at least a couple of semesters.

duckboy20 · May 10, 2004

Curious, what is CCRN or TNCC

CCRN-Critical Care Registered Nurse, you take a very hard computerized exam testing you on your knowledge of a critical care nurse. TNCC I believe is Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum, something to that effect. Like the CCRN for critical care nurses but you see lots of ER nurses getting it.

Depends on where you go but if you have not had a chemistry in a while I would take it. For my program, that is all I would have taken prior to getting in. You are gonna have all the anatomy and pharm you could ever want once school starts!

meg228 · May 12, 2004

I was wondering if anyone had started taking graduate classes prior to being accepted in to a CRNA program to get a "head start". If so, any reccomendations for which classes are best? Obviously it would be somewhat program specific but in general I was just wondering if this is a common practice.
I am also pondering whether or not to go back and take an undergrad physics class as this was not included in my B.S. curriculum. I have heard confilicting opinions as to how helpful it would be. Let me know what you think!! Thanks!

Just wanted to thank everyone for all of their input. I definitely plan on contacting the programs to find out what they reccomend as well.

Also just to clarify what duckboy said. TNCC (which I already have) is not quite like CCRN. It is more like an advanced ACLS class pertaining more to trauma related topics. There in a certification for ED nurses called CEN which I think is more along the lines of what Athlein1 was referring to.

Any other thoughts as to how helpful undergrad physics would be??

Thanks Again!