Halfway done w/ CRNA school, ask me anything

blr2984 · Apr 22, 2021

Hello,

Are there things that would be considered "boosters" on the application? Would it be beneficial to get extra credentials such as: CCRN, CMC, CSC, CEN, TNCC, ENPC, etc? Would it benefit to join a professional organization such as ENA or AACN or other? I am hopefully going to apply for the USAGPAN program next year fingers crossed.

BigPappaCRNA · Apr 24, 2021

On 3/23/2021 at 5:53 PM, Rnonsteroid said:

@nimbex_n_chill Thanks for starting this. I know programs won't outrightly make it known that you were disqualified based on age but I see that as a growing concern. Most programs seem to favour younger applicants with similar if not lesser qualifications than their older (over 40) counterparts so my question is do you have any classmates in their late 40s? and how are they coping generally? Thank you for caring to share.

I have heard this, but have not really seen the it. Most classes have a few scattered students in their 40s. The reality is both academically and clinically, they do very, very well, in fact they are usually near the top of their class. But, the other reality is that they tend to have lives outside of school, that get in the way of being successful. Maybe sick parents, maybe spouse issues, often financial issues, health issues, stress, maybe loser kids, whatever it is, but these are the reasons that many in that demographic don't seem to finish.

SRNA2CRNA2021, BSN, RN · May 6, 2021

On 4/20/2021 at 10:36 AM, kayekeninc said:

That’s awesome. So my understanding is that I should strive to make good grades during nursing program. A’s and B’s and work in an ICU or critical care floor after graduation from 1-2 years? Also who did you get to write your letters of recommendation for CRNA school (assuming you would have been out of the academic world for 1-2 years while working bedside). Also how did you pay for CRNA school and is it OK to ask how much was your tuition along with extra study materials ? That’s awesome you are almost done, congratulations!

Good grades in nursing school will help, also your undergraduate science courses are important too. I worked in ICU for a total of 3 years when I was accepted to school - I started applying about a year and a half into my ICU experience.

I think I had supervisors/ICU doctors write me letters of recommendation for school - the programs you are applying to may have specific guidelines for who they want letters from.

I took out federal student loans to pay for school. I would say that tuition costs and extra study materials are going to vary based on the program (their individual costs) and what you choose to purchase on your own/what reference materials you might get from upperclassmen/what you go in on with other classmates. So it is hard to give you a specific number to answer your question because there are so many specific program factors and individual factors that contribute to tuition costs and study materials...

Hope this helps!

Thank you!! ?

SRNA2CRNA2021, BSN, RN · May 6, 2021

On 4/22/2021 at 3:51 PM, blr2984 said:

Hello,

Are there things that would be considered "boosters" on the application? Would it be beneficial to get extra credentials such as: CCRN, CMC, CSC, CEN, TNCC, ENPC, etc? Would it benefit to join a professional organization such as ENA or AACN or other? I am hopefully going to apply for the USAGPAN program next year fingers crossed.

I was CCRN certified, I did have my TNCC and ENPC but let those lapse since they are more ER-related. I was also part of a shared governance committee during my ICU time that reviewed policies and procedures. I also oriented new hires later in my ICU time. You will become an AACN member if you become CCRN certified since they are the accrediting body. My personal thoughts were to be involved in some boosters but not too many so that I could focus on the ones that I was involved in. I also made sure that I got a wide variety of patient experiences during my ICU time - CRRT, fresh hearts, manipulating various IV drips, etc. so that I could speak to having a well-rounded ICU background (which in my opinion, helps in the long run).

gorogue · May 6, 2021

On 3/16/2021 at 1:25 PM, nimbex_n_chill said:

Hi everyone, I was previously a SICU nurse before starting CRNA school. Back then, I always wished there were more blogs / forum threads about the SRNA journey to help me understand it better.

Luckily I met many people who were kind and supportive, so I thought I’d pay it forward by starting this thread so I can support others. ?

I’m not sure if anyone needs this…but for what it’s worth, today I have a day off from clinicals! So I’m enjoying my coffee, studying, working on my blog, etc. And I’ll check this thread throughout the day to answer questions if y’all have any. ?

Hey! I was excepted into both DNP-A and DNAP programs both are "ranked" top ten. I am curious if one is better than the other? As a student do you prefer front-loaded or integrated?

The DNP-A is an integrated program. Over 20 clinical sites. In your first clinical rotation, they keep you at the same facility for 4 months. After that and for the remainder of the program you rotate clinical sites every 1-2 months. Tuition is around $113,000. Clinical is in SE Michigan. Low attrition rate. 100% first-time pass rate. 90-94% first-time pass rate. Near family and away from husband.

The DNAP is a front-loaded program. Over 20 clinical sites. In your first clinical rotation you get a "primary site" and the rest of the time you "rotate out" of the primary site to go to specialty sites. Tuition is around f$147,000. Clinical is in DC/MD/VA. Low attrition rate. 100% employment. 100% first-time pass rate. Near husband.

Do you have any advice or suggestions?

Rnonsteroid · May 13, 2021

Quote

On 4/24/2021 at 5:54 PM, BigPappaCRNA said:

I have heard this, but have not really seen the it. Most classes have a few scattered students in their 40s. The reality is both academically and clinically, they do very, very well, in fact they are usually near the top of their class. But, the other reality is that they tend to have lives outside of school, that get in the way of being successful. Maybe sick parents, maybe spouse issues, often financial issues, health issues, stress, maybe loser kids, whatever it is, but these are the reasons that many in that demographic don't seem to finish.

@BigPappaCRNAThanks for your insight!

BalanceK · Nov 24, 2022

On 5/5/2021 at 9:25 PM, gorogue said:

Hey! I was excepted into both DNP-A and DNAP programs both are "ranked" top ten. I am curious if one is better than the other? As a student do you prefer front-loaded or integrated?

The DNP-A is an integrated program. Over 20 clinical sites. In your first clinical rotation, they keep you at the same facility for 4 months. After that and for the remainder of the program you rotate clinical sites every 1-2 months. Tuition is around $113,000. Clinical is in SE Michigan. Low attrition rate. 100% first-time pass rate. 90-94% first-time pass rate. Near family and away from husband.

The DNAP is a front-loaded program. Over 20 clinical sites. In your first clinical rotation you get a "primary site" and the rest of the time you "rotate out" of the primary site to go to specialty sites. Tuition is around f$147,000. Clinical is in DC/MD/VA. Low attrition rate. 100% employment. 100% first-time pass rate. Near husband.

Do you have any advice or suggestions?

What is the difference between DNAP and DNP-A?

BalanceK · Nov 24, 2022

What would you consider to be one of the challenging aspects of nursing anesthesia programs?

Do you have to compete with AA or residents to get your case? And also does your facility allow students to get more experience hours more than the recommended hours?

Thank you.

Nursing_1995 · Sep 16, 2023

Thank you for the incite!