How many times were you rejected from a program before you got in?

CCRN_CSC_0710 · Oct 12, 2016

Only took me 1 year. I have a classmate that it took 3, but he was only applying to 1-2 schools each year (didn't want to move). In my class the majority are CV but we have quite a bit with only neuro ICU, a few pedi ICU nurses, and a lot of MSICU. One trauma ICU nurse (the guy that applied 3 years in a row). We all seem to be at the same level of preparedness.

guyman123 · Oct 12, 2016

Only took me 1 year. I have a classmate that it took 3, but he was only applying to 1-2 schools each year (didn't want to move). In my class the majority are CV but we have quite a bit with only neuro ICU, a few pedi ICU nurses, and a lot of MSICU. One trauma ICU nurse (the guy that applied 3 years in a row). We all seem to be at the same level of preparedness.

Dang, I might end up like your friend. I really want to go to the local program here, but I'll throw out apps elsewhere I guess.

CCRN_CSC_0710 · Oct 13, 2016

It's really all about what you want. He didn't want to move, whereas I was in an area where I had to move (no schools within 4 hours). Apply and see what happens!

fightorflight · Oct 13, 2016

I have a good friend who applied to 6 schools within one year and had interview all year. He interviewed from April to the end of October. He was waitlisted at 2, denied at 3 programs and accepted to 1 program. Turns out the program he was accepted to was his last interview and his top choice in schools so it worked out for him after all. He was getting super frustrated almost to the point of giving up and switching to the NP route. Prime example where if it's meant to be it's meant to be!

anotheroneofmany · Oct 16, 2016

I researched schools, ranked ones I liked, and realized several of them had the same start dates as my "local" school. So I ended up applying to two schools near me with the same start semester. This was my first time applying. I was accepted to both schools.

I currently almost have 5 years trauma/transplant/surgical ICU experience, and I have my CCRN, TNCC, and ATCN. I was a preceptor for new nurses, on my unit practice council, and back up charge nurse/rapid response team member. I scored pretty well on my GRE, had a good GPA, and had taken a graduate-level statistics course and made an A.

As far your moving to a new position, CRNA schools love anything at a level 1 trauma facility (whether you do trauma or not), because those hospitals get the sickest of the sick. Both Trauma ICU and CVICU are good; just make sure you work where you can get high acuity and tons of vasoactive drips/vent management experience.