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.
I attended an accelerated program that was 1.5 years no summer breaks just go straight thru it's grueling but since I already had my BS in Nutrition and knew I wanted to start working soon that it what I did and worked out great for me. I will say however plan financially. I was lucky enough to not have to work and I truly think this was a great advantage. A small percentage of people did work but very few actually made it to graduation on time....
Thank you so much for this post! I am in a very similar situation. I have a bachelors in biology and had all intentions on going to med school until about halfway through, I didn't care as much about grades, just did what I needed to pass.
Im doing ok in my nursing program but it's a pretty hard program compared to others and not that easy to get the all mighty 4.0 in. It's very encouraging to see that my dreams of being a CRNA can still happen!
thank you so much for all the wonderful advice and good luck in your career!
Hey there Powertip, you might have already answered this question, but how do you like Union's program? I am actually planning on applying there after I get all of my credentials.
Just curious, I am just getting my application for Fall 2019! I currently have been working in a Pediatric CTICU for the past 2 years, since before I was a licensed RN, by the time the program starts it will be 2.5 year as an RN and 3 years (6 months as an extern). I am currently scheduled to take my CCRN on Friday, and then start the GRE process, I have taken a few assessments that say I should score pretty high, so fingers crossed. My questions are when you were applying, this is open to anyone, did any of your applications require the use of NursingCAS? I have taken preceptor courses, done mission trips, am a chair member in the unit based council for magnet, among other things, and I am not sure where all this fits in on my NursingCAS application? Do these things go under experiences? Certifications? NursingCAS is all so difficult! Any other tips you guys have for a hopeful CRNA please share!!
ajschwandt
8 Posts
Hello I am still a new grad. Graduated May 2016 but working in Transitional Care Unit. I'm hoping to be moved to ICU soon because they are short staffed but was wondering chances of getting into CRNA school with just TCU experience? (@ my hospital is considered intensive care). I had planned to work 5 years because I'm from OK and we have no current CRNA school in state and I don't really want to leave my fiancé for 2-3 years lol.