So, I see a lot of people that have been posting about getting into CRNA school and a lot of the posts have a hopeless feel to them. I am here to tell you this is not an impossible task and would love to boost your confidence a little. So a little about me. (I made it into a TL;DR, you can skip the quotations and not miss the point)
"I was in school for four years to get a BS in biology with the hope of becoming a dentist. It never even crossed my mind that I may not like being a dentist, until in my senior year I shadowed one. When I realized this was not something I wanted to do, I was lost. My grades started to plummet, as I thought to myself I was doing this for nothing. I thought about other careers in the medical field, but could not find one appealing to me. I finally started looking to others for help and advice. I found my calling after talking to a man that was the biochem professor for the CRNA program at the university I was attending. He told me about the job and I got somewhat interested so I did research, lots of research. I found that it was going to take a lot of work to get into CRNA school if that was what I decided to do, so I needed to make sure it was what wanted. I started calling around to see if I could shadow as a college student, and after talking to 8 hospitals, only 1 was willing to help me out (liability reasons). So long story short I shadowed the CRNA for 12 hrs and fell in love with the career."
Knowing what I needed to do to get into CRNA school came next, I was like everyone else here. I would post asking about is my GPA good enough, is this class worth more, how long do I need to be in ICU. I would ask advice on writing my letters, getting recommendations, and retaking classes. To be honest, WTBcrna has helped me a lot here, and he will never know how appreciated he is. Anyways, I want to let you know that my GPA was barely 3.0 when I was ready to apply, that the GRE was something that was not the easiest for me (I took it more than once, having to leave the first time due just to me being so nervous), and that I was so unsure of myself that I thought that I would never get in anywhere. Moving to the present day, I have been accepted into 4/5 schools that I applied to and I had to choose where to go. So what did I do? I worked, and I worked hard. I retook classes (A&P 1, A&P 2, microbiology), retook the GRE (after walking out due to nerves), earned CCRN and CMC, joined organizations, became a leader in the workplace (charge nurse, unit council, helping with fund raising), spoke with CRNA schools in person and on the phone. talked with students, and researched all the schools I might want to attend. It was a lot of hard work, but I did it in 2 years, and it DID pay off!!!!
What I want you to take away from this is that it is not as impossible as you might think to get into CRNA, but do not think that sitting down and doing nothing is going to get you there. You may have to work harder than you have in a long time, and push yourself, but you CAN do it. It will take sacrifice, even if you are a 4.0 student. So what I am going to do is leave this open to questions, I do not mind answering them, but they may take me some time to get to all of them. I will quote you when I answer.
Powertrip, wow! same story here..I have a BS in Biology, which I was hoping to apply for Dental school..my whole family is in the health field..I am currently studying for the NCLEX-RN..I am trying to find out the way to get into a ICU in intership, if you know of any in FL please let me know..thank you sharing your story? What school did you get in?..God bless :)
THanks for your advise!! It's going to be so helpful to me!
One more question: By the time I apply I will have the bare minimum of 1 year ICU experience (I understand its not a lot, but im going to apply anyways regardless of what anyone says). In reality, how many people in your class, or by word of mouth do you know that actually get accepted with bare minimum of ICU experience? Is it really feasible? And those that did get in, how did y'all stand out and get noticed by the recruiters to give you a chance in their school? Was it the interview that you rocked??
Powertrip, wow! same story here..I have a BS in Biology, which I was hoping to apply for Dental school..my whole family is in the health field..I am currently studying for the NCLEX-RN..I am trying to find out the way to get into a ICU in intership, if you know of any in FL please let me know..thank you sharing your story? What school did you get in?..God bless :)
I think I answered it earlier, but I got into 4/5 schools that I applied to. I decided, after doing a lot of research, to accept Union University's offer. The students seemed much happier and I would come out with my DNP. As for the internships, I am not aware of any in FL. I know of some in alabama, but doubt that would help you. Sorry for that.
THanks for your advise!! It's going to be so helpful to me!
One more question: By the time I apply I will have the bare minimum of 1 year ICU experience (I understand its not a lot, but im going to apply anyways regardless of what anyone says). In reality, how many people in your class, or by word of mouth do you know that actually get accepted with bare minimum of ICU experience? Is it really feasible? And those that did get in, how did y'all stand out and get noticed by the recruiters to give you a chance in their school? Was it the interview that you rocked??
I know of some people that applied before they had a full year of experience. If you are well qualified, you can apply. You have to have 1 year of experience BEFORE school starts, not before you apply. I do know of a few people that made it in and had just finished up 1 year of ICU. Now for the loaded quesion. How did we stand out with the recruiters. I cannot answer for everyone else, but I decied to just be myself. I came in and talked with those interviewing me like they were old friends. I would answer their questions and throw in appropriate jokes, as that is my personality. For example, one of the recruiters asked me what my hobby was. My response was it was my hobby to build computers, but I included how I enjoy knowing how things functioned and told a story as to where I got in trouble as a child for taking a toaster apart. Before I knew it, we were just chatting and it was much less of an interview. It really calmed my nerves. Now how can you stand out? Its very simple, be yourself. Being yourself seperates you from everyone else and this interview is all about them getting to know who you are. Don't go in and try to prove you are some kind of super genius. They know you are qualified, they just want to verify you can handle clinical senarios and what you are about. As for the final question, I do feel that I did well in interviews, but I also worked very hard to get my CV up to snuff. I had TNCC, ACLS, BLS, PALS, CCRN-CMC, and many other things to circumvent my GPA from that time in college.
Wanted to say congrats for getting in! And yes, it's nice to hear an uplifting story! I think it's hard to look at the long road and not get discouraged, but you just have to keep going. The years will pass, what you do with them is the difference.
I am in my second semester of CRNA school right now, I can't even see a light at the end of the tunnel yet, but I know I will get there!
Wanted to say congrats for getting in! And yes, it's nice to hear an uplifting story! I think it's hard to look at the long road and not get discouraged, but you just have to keep going. The years will pass, what you do with them is the difference.
I am in my second semester of CRNA school right now, I can't even see a light at the end of the tunnel yet, but I know I will get there!
Thank you very much miss nurse. I have found out that there are 7 stages to getting into crna school
1. Sad (waiting to see if you got an interview thinking you won't)
2. Overyjoyed (got an interview)
3. Anxiety (going to interview and preparing)
4. Depression (feel like everyone was better than you at interview)
5. Extreme happiness (Got into school)
6. Anxiety (I got into school......... Quiting job and loan thoughts, possibly moving)
7. Peace with self ( I got everything ready to go, lets do this)
I cannot wait to start school, although I am nervous. I know this is my dream, and will keep pushing forward until it is realized.
Just keep going and you'll be fine. We had a grad level phys class the first semester - it's a weed out class for the students trying to get into med school. It's a bear. The instructor at the beginning said something I always remember when I am feeling overwhelmed, like I will never remember it all, or be able to get thru it all, "How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time". I just remember to study this thing, then move on to the next, trying to not get overwhelmed by the big picture of EVERYTHING that I will have to learn. It's hard, but easier with time I think.
Congrats to everyone!! I'm in step 6. Feeling like I don't know where to begin with loans. I completed the fafsa, that's about it. I just want to be sure that my loans will cover my tuition and living expenses. I'm also anxious about moving to a new state but I'm so thankful for this amazing opportunity! Congrats to you powertrip! I know you've come a long way! You also missnurse! Both of you have been so inspiring to me on these forums.
Angelrina, thanks so much and glad I have been helpful to you!! Call your school and talk to them about what your school will certify for loans. That is the max amount you can get. They should be able to tell you that as well as how much tuition and fees will be for each semester. In this way you can figure out if you can borrow enough to get by or not. A lot of people either found roommates prior to school starting, or as their leases are up this year, are moving in with each other to save money. It's a great idea if you can handle it!
good luck! I moved around the U.S. many times and love to do it! But I guess I will have to stop once school is finished lol
paradios2014
75 Posts
Powertrip, wow! same story here..I have a BS in Biology, which I was hoping to apply for Dental school..my whole family is in the health field..I am currently studying for the NCLEX-RN..I am trying to find out the way to get into a ICU in intership, if you know of any in FL please let me know..thank you sharing your story? What school did you get in?..God bless :)