I'm in!!

It must be a great feeling to know that you have been accepted, now you can sit back and relax. I have applied to three CRNA programs in Michigan, So far, I have an interview with the first program I applied to, waiting to here from the other two. I consider myself lucky getting the interview as the early application process received forty applicants and they selected ten for the interview. I am a little nervous about the interview though, I am thinking positively and want to show up at the interview just being myself. Good luck to you!

:roll Congrats Rockabye06!!!! I know how excited you are, I still remember the moment I found out I got in, and the excitement yet sheer terror that went along with it. You will still feel that way even into your first semester, very privledged-yet wondering what exactly you've done to yourself. Know that you aren't alone, and keep your eyes focused on the prize. Many others have done this before us, and we too will succeed!

dear rockaby06,

i am a prospective applicant to Rush Univ. 2005. Would you be kind enough to tell me about your GPA/ GRE, tips on getting in to Rush. I appreciate all your help

Congratulations

If you are absolutely he** bent on going to Rush University, here is my advice:

1. Start taking core and cognate graduate curriculum classes at Rush either the web-based ones if you can't move yet or they offer some compressed weekend classes where you come to Rush in Chicago for one weekend near the beginning of the quarter for all the didactic lectures. Then, you complete readings and submit assignments electronically the rest of the quarter. This is the catch. Rush is a private university and as such, the courses cost about $490 per quarter hour. Courses are generally between 2 and 4 quarter hours. These charges can add up fast. A second, preferred and cheaper option is to move to Chicago and work in one of the ICUs at Rush. Rush will pay up to 6 quarter hours per quarter for students enrolled into any nurse practitioner program that work at least 20 hours per week (50% of full-time.) There are many advantages to this method (coming to Chicago). [Most people just apply to the ACNP (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) program. Make sure you are honest and just say that you are not interested in being an ACNP, but really a CRNA. You have to complete an application, short informal interview. You will likely have no problem getting accepted. It is not nearly as competitive as anesthesia.]

You can start getting used to the Rush system (classes, programs, medical center, etc.), get to know key people on the admissions board, including anesthesia program faculty. By taking these classes, you show them that you are committed to this program, since some classes may not be transferrable to other institutions if you decide to go somewhere else down the road. B. Second, I would recommend getting nothing less than A's and B's, with the majority of them being A's. By doing this, you are demonstrating to the Admissions committee that you can master graduate courses. This is a good indicator that you will be successful in Rush's Anesthesia program.

Financially speaking, you will be far better off than many of your colleagues upon graduating from school. This is because you can continue to work either full or part time for the first several (as many as 12 of the required courses) courses. This has a double advantage because when you get accepted officially to the program, you will have completed many of the required courses and you'll be able to focus on mainly Anesthesia classes. This is a much less stressful way to go. Many students actually continue to work 1 or 2 days per week or per diem until their residency starts which is the last 15 months of the program.

On a personal note, my undergraduate BSN GPA was 3.89/4.0. My graduate GPA (for seven courses) was 3.9/4.0. I was exempt from taking the GRE. As a student of Rush's undergraduate BSN program, if you apply for a NP program while still an undergrad, you can be accepted under their expedited admission program, and as such, you are exempt from taking the GRE. Of course, if I had not gotten into Rush, I would have had to take the GRE, as most other schools do require it.

In my case, I decided early on (four years ago) to put all my eggs in the Rush basket. I feel that I left no stone unturned. I strived for good grades, became ACLS, PALS certified, joined workplace and college standing committees, did agengy nursing to become more well-rounded in terms all types of critical care nursing, informed reference people early on of my intention to go the anesthesia route (my supervisors, medical director, etc) who would eventually provide my letters of recommendation.

Most important of all, I have asked a lot of questions as you are doing now. I talked to the anesthesia faculty, current and former students of the anesthesia program, my managers, etc. to gain as much info as possible as to the types of people the admissions committee likes to see.

Sorry about my long post. I hope it helps you and anyone else interested out there. In my interview, which despite my extreme nervousness initially, was anything besides a "firing squad" as some recent poster has described their interview experience. In between interviews, the anesthesia faculty presented info. regarding their program including the US News and World Report rankings of Nurse Anesthesia Programs. For the first year in about 6 or 7 years, Rush's program dropped from their number 1 ranking. Interestingly, the Illinois Advanced Practice Nursing law changed last year which required the Anesthesia Seniors to sit for boards earlier than usual. The scores were, not surprisingly, up to their usual superbness. I am confident that this year the scores, and perhaps even Rush's ranking in US News, will return to their previous highs. With that said, I feel that just as attending any nursing school and passing NCLEX gets you the job, attending any CRNA program and passing boards will get you a CRNA job. All CRNA schools must maintain minimum established standards to stay in existence.

Well, CA CRNA, I know that was long-winded, but I wanted to give you as many details as possible. (I'm working the night shift tonight and it's a little slow right now). I hope you have success in your pursuit. If you do decide to come to Rush, I can assure you that it is a great place to learn and work!!

rockabye06

Woo-hoo! Congratulations!

If you are absolutely he** bent on going to Rush University, here is my advice:

1. Start taking core and cognate graduate curriculum classes at Rush either the web-based ones if you can't move yet or they offer some compressed weekend classes where you come to Rush in Chicago for one weekend near the beginning of the quarter for all the didactic lectures. Then, you complete readings and submit assignments electronically the rest of the quarter. This is the catch. Rush is a private university and as such, the courses cost about $490 per quarter hour. Courses are generally between 2 and 4 quarter hours. These charges can add up fast. A second, preferred and cheaper option is to move to Chicago and work in one of the ICUs at Rush. Rush will pay up to 6 quarter hours per quarter for students enrolled into any nurse practitioner program that work at least 20 hours per week (50% of full-time.) There are many advantages to this method (coming to Chicago). [Most people just apply to the ACNP (Acute Care Nurse Practitioner) program. Make sure you are honest and just say that you are not interested in being an ACNP, but really a CRNA. You have to complete an application, short informal interview. You will likely have no problem getting accepted. It is not nearly as competitive as anesthesia.]

You can start getting used to the Rush system (classes, programs, medical center, etc.), get to know key people on the admissions board, including anesthesia program faculty. By taking these classes, you show them that you are committed to this program, since some classes may not be transferrable to other institutions if you decide to go somewhere else down the road. B. Second, I would recommend getting nothing less than A's and B's, with the majority of them being A's. By doing this, you are demonstrating to the Admissions committee that you can master graduate courses. This is a good indicator that you will be successful in Rush's Anesthesia program.

Financially speaking, you will be far better off than many of your colleagues upon graduating from school. This is because you can continue to work either full or part time for the first several (as many as 12 of the required courses) courses. This has a double advantage because when you get accepted officially to the program, you will have completed many of the required courses and you'll be able to focus on mainly Anesthesia classes. This is a much less stressful way to go. Many students actually continue to work 1 or 2 days per week or per diem until their residency starts which is the last 15 months of the program.

On a personal note, my undergraduate BSN GPA was 3.89/4.0. My graduate GPA (for seven courses) was 3.9/4.0. I was exempt from taking the GRE. As a student of Rush's undergraduate BSN program, if you apply for a NP program while still an undergrad, you can be accepted under their expedited admission program, and as such, you are exempt from taking the GRE. Of course, if I had not gotten into Rush, I would have had to take the GRE, as most other schools do require it.

In my case, I decided early on (four years ago) to put all my eggs in the Rush basket. I feel that I left no stone unturned. I strived for good grades, became ACLS, PALS certified, joined workplace and college standing committees, did agengy nursing to become more well-rounded in terms all types of critical care nursing, informed reference people early on of my intention to go the anesthesia route (my supervisors, medical director, etc) who would eventually provide my letters of recommendation.

Most important of all, I have asked a lot of questions as you are doing now. I talked to the anesthesia faculty, current and former students of the anesthesia program, my managers, etc. to gain as much info as possible as to the types of people the admissions committee likes to see.

Sorry about my long post. I hope it helps you and anyone else interested out there. In my interview, which despite my extreme nervousness initially, was anything besides a "firing squad" as some recent poster has described their interview experience. In between interviews, the anesthesia faculty presented info. regarding their program including the US News and World Report rankings of Nurse Anesthesia Programs. For the first year in about 6 or 7 years, Rush's program dropped from their number 1 ranking. Interestingly, the Illinois Advanced Practice Nursing law changed last year which required the Anesthesia Seniors to sit for boards earlier than usual. The scores were, not surprisingly, up to their usual superbness. I am confident that this year the scores, and perhaps even Rush's ranking in US News, will return to their previous highs. With that said, I feel that just as attending any nursing school and passing NCLEX gets you the job, attending any CRNA program and passing boards will get you a CRNA job. All CRNA schools must maintain minimum established standards to stay in existence.

Well, CA CRNA, I know that was long-winded, but I wanted to give you as many details as possible. (I'm working the night shift tonight and it's a little slow right now). I hope you have success in your pursuit. If you do decide to come to Rush, I can assure you that it is a great place to learn and work!!

rockabye06

Dear Rockabye

Followed your advice. Currently taking Adv Physio/Patho. My question for you is how do you find the exams in Physio as there is just so much info to remember. What was the average grade for both classes. I am looking forward to enter by 2006, by then I would have finished 12 core courses. Will they consider me for an interview assuming I submit all my application for 2006 by 09/2004 ( way too early)

I was actually considering moving back home to Chicago since I could live with my parents or other relatives and work at Rush since it is a teaching hospital and Magnet facility in hopes of increasing my chances of getting accepted in a similar route that you took. Nice to know someone went that route. Excellent post. Good luck rockabye.

Just wanted to drop a line to any one that cares. I got my letter of acceptance to Rush University College of Nursing's CRNA program on Friday. I was ecstatic. I will start in the Summer of 2004.

I feel like Morgan Freeman in the movie Glory when Colonel Shaw (Matthew Broderick) presents him with a promotion and awards him the rank of ?warrant officer after he proved himself brave and valiant in battle. He said, "I'm not sure I'm wantin' this colonel" To this, Col. Shaw relplied, "I know exactly how you feel."

Anyone who saw this movie will know what I mean by this. You see, I feel happy, honored and priveledged to be accepted into a CRNA program but at the same time feel a liitle overwhelmed by the immense amount of work ahead of me as well the degree of responsibility to be afforded me in the future.

I 'm glad I have found this forum where I can share my joy, learn a lot about the profession and perhaps encourage some of you out there that are still dreaming. My dreams are coming to fruition!!! As always, I have enjoyed reading these posts and I want to thank all of you that participate so much to make it a great forum, especially the SRNAs and CRNAs whose time is so precious to them.

Congratulation!!!!!!! :balloons:

I have a quick question. I'm planning to apply to Rush's post master program in anesthesia. I'll get my MSN in generic nursing in Depaul and planning to apply to several schools including Rush. Do you have any advice for me? How long does it take to finish up the post graduate porgram? In this case can I complete the program within a year?

Thanks and again Congrats

Congratulation!!!!!!! :balloons:

I have a quick question. I'm planning to apply to Rush's post master program in anesthesia. I'll get my MSN in generic nursing in Depaul and planning to apply to several schools including Rush. Do you have any advice for me? How long does it take to finish up the post graduate porgram? In this case can I complete the program within a year?

Thanks and again Congrats

I really don't know too much about Rush's post masters program in anesthesia. However, I tend to think that it is designed for those practicing nurse anesthetists prepared at the bachelor's level before all the programs went to a master's level for entry to practice. Contact the school for clarification.

:balloons: I am sooo glad for you. I wish you the best of luck and hope to get one of those letters one day!