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.
What type of ICU experience is preferred? Is there one better than other or any kind of ICU would work. I'm between a SICU and a multisystem ICU
Sorry guys, been busy with school so have had no time to answer. So with ICU experience I have people with all backgrounds in my class. I want to say we have a pretty even mix of all except neruo and peds. I don't think it is that neuro or peds is frowned upon or anything, it's just we don't have that many in our class (we have one of each). So in the end, I don't really know if any one particular ICU is preferred. I will say that before I got in that people had me convinced you had to be in SICU or CVICU. I found that not to be true in the program I was accepted to. So my advice, it does not matter, pick the one you want. Just make sure you try to become a leader in your workplace (join unit councils, become charge nurse, help in evidence based studies). This really shows well in interviews that you are someone that can be relied upon and sets you apart from those that sit around waiting for the shift to be over.
Great information and thanks for sharing. Let me tell you a little bit about me. First, I spent 8 years in the Navy (non medical), then a few years in the mortgage biz, also had a few management Retail jobs. zooming up to present, I graduated with a BSN in May 2013. I had a few small RN jobs, but basically been in Med/surg Medicine unit for about 15months now. I live in NY but had lived in GA for a several year a while back and loved it. I just got home from an ICU position interview in GA. The thing is this, they actually interviewed me for a Charge Nurse position due to all of my leadership experience but have offered me either position. So my question is this. Should I take the ICU Charge position or the ICU floor position. I don't have ICU floor (bedside) experience. So I don't know if going straight to charge will help or hinder my chances of getting into a CRNA program. Any advice will greatly help. I have 48hrs to call them back with an answer. Thanks.
Well I am a bit late on this one, sorry about that. I agree with the person that posted under me. I would not accept a charge position unless I had a handle on the floor in which I work, or I had a large amount of ICU experience under my belt. ICU is a different animal to med/surg. Being the charge nurse you are going to be the one looked to when someone does not know what to do in situation that needs quick decisions made. When I was new to the ICU it was not something I would want to have. In the end this is only my opinion, you go with what you are comfortable with doing.
Reading all your post gives me a road map. I am preparing for TEAS right now and hoping to ASN by the end of next year. The only hitch is that I am 47 years old and want to do CRNA. I keep telling myself age is not a hitch. I could not go to school because I had to send my kids to school, now they are all done and it is my turn. i am trying to shawdow a nurse but have not been able to do so. I am thinking of trying to volunteer at a hospital so as to get my foot in. I plan and will try to apply for ICU straight out of school and then after 3 months apply for CRNA . Can you please let me know if that is a good idea. thanks
Sounds like you have your plan set and all you need to do is execute it. First, age is not an issue unless you make it one. I have someone in my class that is in their late 40's and is super motivated. As for your plan, getting your Associate's is fine, but after getting out you will have to get your BSN before you can get in. I have heard of a few people that applied before they had their BSN, but it is required before the first day of CRNA school as is at least 1 or 2 years of ICU experience (this depends on the school). Again, one person in our class had six months ICU experience when they applied, but by the time school started they had their year completed. Just make sure you meet the minimum requirements at least. Other than that, keep yourself motivated and keep your grades up. After you get out, become a leader in the workplace during your time there and make your CV shine.
Hello PowertripCCRN, this is my absolute first post on allnurses, so forgive me if I didn't QUOTE correctly. My question is: what internships in ICU are you aware of in Alabama? I am a new nursing student in this region and I would like to begin researching early. Thanks
The ones that I was told about were at UAB. I would call them and talk to them about it and see if it is still available.
How is it going so far in CRNA school? What would you say is the most challenging aspect of it?
What school are you attending and what was your experience with getting accepted? A slew of questions I know, but I am intrigued with this specialty.
The most challenging thing is trying to keep up with the work. You are bombarded with facts and knowledge about drugs, the body, co-morbidities, etc... down to the molecular level. When you begin learning the things here you will think back and wonder how you didn't cause a patient harm in some situations. You will be amazed at how much information your brain can hold. You really learn how to micro manage things when you are in school. I think a friend of mine summed up CRNA school best to me. It is like trying to get a sip of water out of a fire hydrant. There is so much information that it can seem overwhelming, but when you are determined and have your mind set that this is what you want to do, you do it.
As for the school I am attending, it is Union University and my experience with getting accepted was actually very pleasant. That is one of the biggest things I have to compliment Union on is the feeling that every professor here really cares about you and wants you to succeed. I can't say that is the feeling I got from the other schools. So on the day of the interview, I sat down first in a little waiting room with current students that told me everything I wanted to know about how the program was laid out and how they were handling it. That experience was great. Then, after a bit, I had one of the professors come get me and bring me to a room where the interview was held. I will say I was super nervous going in, but as soon as I sat down, they made me feel like I was sitting at the table with family. It was so easy to talk to them and on a personal level at that. They wanted to get a grasp on who I was, not just what I knew. After 20 minutes the interview concluded. As I was leaving it really felt like I had just left a meet up with old friends. After that I went back home and I think it was about a 4 days later I got a call from one of the professors telling me I was in. He also told me that I could call him on his cell later if for some reason I thought I was dreaming. Really great and funny guy. So in the end my interview experience here was very positive and is probably one of the main reasons I chose Union over the other schools I was accepted to.
Alright, I am going to sign off for tonight. I hope I helped some of you. I will try to check back when I can and see if I can't answer any more questions if there are any. School is my first priority so please forgive me if it takes me a long time to get to your posts.
Hey, I am a male sophomore currently attending a four year university for my bachelor's in Biochemistry. I was thinking about dental or medical school, but similar to another post I was reading, I shadowed a dentist and discovered it wasn't for me. Like you, my nerves have gotten to me and my grades have begun to slip, but I am catching myself. I just recently thought about becoming a CRNA. The prospects for being a male and pursing nursing is very appealing, but I have a few questions:
1) Should I continue pursuing my bachelor's in biochemistry before attending nursing school?
2) How will the scholastics of becoming a CRNA play out if I choose to fulfill my bachelor's in biochemistry?
I mainly want to make sure I don't have to spend another four years in undergraduate school before I can become a CRNA.
Kemminsc, look to see if there are any accelerated nursing programs for students who already hold a bachelors degree in your area. If not, I would say go ahead and switch to a nursing degree now. I switched from pre-pharmacy to nursing at the end of my freshman year and I believe it will only help me in my crna application process. In addition to all the basic classes required for nursing, I have gen chem I, gen chem II, O Chem, Calculus, and a few other classes that will help me stand out above other applicants. I'm sure as a sophomore Biochem major, you have plenty of advanced science classes under your belt.
Here I am four years later, currently a nurse in the ICU, and sending my school applications in. Nursing is a great profession with lots of opportunities. Make sure and job shadow CRNAs, NPs, and RNs before you make the plunge as it is not for everyone.
Hey, I am a male sophomore currently attending a four year university for my bachelor's in Biochemistry. I was thinking about dental or medical school, but similar to another post I was reading, I shadowed a dentist and discovered it wasn't for me. Like you, my nerves have gotten to me and my grades have begun to slip, but I am catching myself. I just recently thought about becoming a CRNA. The prospects for being a male and pursing nursing is very appealing, but I have a few questions:
1) Should I continue pursuing my bachelor's in biochemistry before attending nursing school?
2) How will the scholastics of becoming a CRNA play out if I choose to fulfill my bachelor's in biochemistry?
I mainly want to make sure I don't have to spend another four years in undergraduate school before I can become a CRNA.
First let me say that it is so great that you found out early that you did not want to do dentistry. I was foolish and did not even think to shadow until I was really far on in my bachelors.Now onto you questions.
So as to should you continue your bachelors in biochem, this is kind of a question that is hard to answer as you are the one that has to decide that. My bachelors in bio helped in many of my classes for CRNA school so far, but is not required. I will give you my opinion, but remember this is only my opinion. If I could go back in time, I would have moved into nursing earlier as that would mean that right now I would already be a CRNA. So if I was sure that I wanted to be a CRNA and this was my path, I would swap majors. Since you are only a sophomore, you probably have the core classes you needed to get into the nursing program out of the way. Just check with your local nursing schools. I say this because the degree in biochem will not help you reach your goal of CRNA as many are now switching to a DNP that requires you have a BSN to enter.
Second question. The scholastic portion of your biochem degree would play a pretty large role in you understanding the molecular level of drugs and how receptors/drug interactions occur. It would be a benefit to know these things, but unfortunately not so much of a benefit that I would spend 3 more years on it paying high tuition if I knew it would not lead me to my goal.
I will sum it up like this. There are many people in my program that only went to get BSN's. When it comes to studying, they may have to put in a little bit more time on some of the concepts, but they still do well and will one day be great CRNA's. They did not need a bachelors in Biochem. So if you are sure that CRNA is your path, then hop on that path. No need for diversions. Again these are my opinions. It is ultimately up to you to decide what is best for your life. I hope this helped.
Kemminsc, look to see if there are any accelerated nursing programs for students who already hold a bachelors degree in your area. If not, I would say go ahead and switch to a nursing degree now. I switched from pre-pharmacy to nursing at the end of my freshman year and I believe it will only help me in my crna application process. In addition to all the basic classes required for nursing, I have gen chem I, gen chem II, O Chem, Calculus, and a few other classes that will help me stand out above other applicants. I'm sure as a sophomore Biochem major, you have plenty of advanced science classes under your belt.
Here I am four years later, currently a nurse in the ICU, and sending my school applications in. Nursing is a great profession with lots of opportunities. Make sure and job shadow CRNAs, NPs, and RNs before you make the plunge as it is not for everyone.
Good luck on your applications! Hope you get into the schools you are aiming for.
Powertrip
72 Posts
Sorry guys, been busy with school so have had no time to answer. So with ICU experience I have people with all backgrounds in my class. I want to say we have a pretty even mix of all except neruo and peds. I don't think it is that neuro or peds is frowned upon or anything, it's just we don't have that many in our class (we have one of each). So in the end, I don't really know if any one particular ICU is preferred. I will say that before I got in that people had me convinced you had to be in SICU or CVICU. I found that not to be true in the program I was accepted to. So my advice, it does not matter, pick the one you want. Just make sure you try to become a leader in your workplace (join unit councils, become charge nurse, help in evidence based studies). This really shows well in interviews that you are someone that can be relied upon and sets you apart from those that sit around waiting for the shift to be over.