help? advice?

[usancrn]

I am a registered nurse interested in applying to a CRNA program. I have been a nurse for 5 years and have a varied experience. When I graduted, I obtained a commission onto active duty and became an Army nurse. I stayed on active duty for just over 3 years and then transitioned into civilian life. On active duty I worked on an in patient pediatric floor which I LOVED. After the Army, I decided to try something new and took a job in a busy 54 bed ER. Though this ER is not a trauma center it IS one of the busiest in my state. After working there for almost a year I went PRN and am now a full time elementary school nurse bc I really wanted to get back to working with children. Although I love working with the kids at the elementary school, I know school nursing is not for me.

I want to go back to school and have always wanted to be a pediatric CRNA but have told myself I wasnt smart enough. I graduated from VCU's nursing program with a 3.3 gpa and passed my NCLEX on the first go around. I also have to mention I worked pretty much full time and went to school full time while in my nursing program. I also became pregnant my junior year, had my daughter the 1st semester of my senior year and spent my senior year commuting almost 2 hours each way to and from school in order to have my family help me with my little one.

I am currently repeating A&P to obtain a better grade ( I got B's and C's the first time around) and need to take a statistics course as my undergrad program did not require one. Also may need some chemistry as VCU accepted my honors high school chemistry and I did not take a college level chem course. I will also apply for a job at an area hospital that is a level 1 trauma center and hope to begin working in their STBICU (surg, trauma, burn ICU) next summer.

I have always had good relations with my managers and patients and am now forunate enough to be in a place where financially I could afford to go to CRNA school without working. (My husband has a great full time job and the Army reserves is currently offering a monthly stipend in return for reserve service that I was always planning on doing!). Fortunetly or unfortunetly, VCU is the closest program to me. it is also #1 in the country!!! This is what is so intimidating to me. Although I went here for undergrad, I am worried that I have no shot to get into their CRNA program. There is another program in my state and 1 more within driving distance.

I have no yet taken my GRE's but plan to do so before I begin working in an ICU setting so that I can focus on the ICU and not get overwhelmed with GRE's and a new job. I also plan to obtain CCRN certification after experience in the ICU.

As you can see this is a plan that is a few years in the future for me.

Can someone out there give me hope that all my efforts are not going to be in vain??