Is this enough to get in???

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Specializes in SICU.

I have been working in a SICU for 2 years, by the time school would start it would be 3 - 3 1/2 years, I am taking my CCRN in March, I have been shadowing a CRNA, my GPA is 3.7, and I was a charge nurse when I worked on med/surg floor and I am a preceptor in the SICU. I am LVAD, IABP and CVVHD certified. Will this be enough to get an interview/accepted??? Is PALS that helpful for applying or can I do without it?

Also as far as my references, I have one from my nurse manager, one from the CRNA I shadow and I am trying to decide which would be better, the SICU educator, a physician, or the SICU charge nurse. Any opinions on this?

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Specializes in Trauma, Med-Surg/Transplant ICU.

Aim for a high GRE score (at least 1000). Some schools require specific persons for recommendations (in my case: from current nurse manager, ICU consultant, and university reference). My guess is that a good recommendation from a notable physician would be better than getting more recommendation from other nurses. Choose the doctor who would sing you praises...

Your credentials should merit you at least an interview. Then...you have to ace the interview, meaning you should fit the profile that the school is looking for. Not too overconfident, but competent and pleasant. Make your clinical experience shine...in my opinion one gains so much more from actual years of experience than from certifications although the latter should also help make you a better nurse...

There is destiny too to contend with...but I guess if you work and pray hard enough for anything you'll get it, if not better... Good luck!:up:

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Specializes in PostOp/Trauma, OR,ICU...Pre-SRNA.
Aim for a high GRE score (at least 1000). Some schools require specific persons for recommendations (in my case: from current nurse manager, ICU consultant, and university reference). My guess is that a good recommendation from a notable physician would be better than getting more recommendation from other nurses. Choose the doctor who would sing you praises...

Your credentials should merit you at least an interview. Then...you have to ace the interview, meaning you should fit the profile that the school is looking for. Not too overconfident, but competent and pleasant. Make your clinical experience shine...in my opinion one gains so much more from actual years of experience than from certifications although the latter should also help make you a better nurse...

There is destiny too to contend with...but I guess if you work and pray hard enough for anything you'll get it, if not better... Good luck!:up:

I have to disagree with the above quote. You are applying for a CRNA program not an MD one. I think references from RNs/CRNAs way heavier than from an MD. However, in the end it really matters what the person writes about you. Get the person who knows you the best and can effectively articulate that knowledge on paper in the best light possible.

FYI - The school I applied to suggested a reference from a current/former supervisor, a professor and a CRNA. I had just transferred to my current job and didn't feel comfortable getting a reference from my boss of 2 months, I have been out of school for some time so a professor who knew me well enough was out so.............

I got references from 2 CRNAs and a former charge nurse and I got accepted. I felt the 2 CRNA's references weighed heavily. Good luck!

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as for letters of recommendation: are these applications specifying where they must come from? for example, I have one app. that requires one from the dean/director of the nursing program I attended.... so what if I never really knew this person?

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Specializes in PostOp/Trauma, OR,ICU...Pre-SRNA.
as for letters of recommendation: are these applications specifying where they must come from? for example, I have one app. that requires one from the dean/director of the nursing program I attended.... so what if I never really knew this person?

See my previous post in this thread!

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while the application states, "recommendation letter from professor/dean/director" etc... you instead included letters from others in substitution, and there was no problem with that? do you think that is, in general, okay? also, how long had it been since you were in school?

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Casla is correct. Although many programs prefer a spread of letters, from undergrad faculty, peers, supervisor, etc., admission committees are worldly enough to realize that isn't always possible. Also correct is the statement that these are nurse anesthesia programs, NOT physician programs. Letters from CRNAs or even SRNAs with whom you've worked are very well received. Understand, however, that most everyone can get three or four great letters of reference. GPA, GRE, and work experience along with a solid interview are still the heavy hitters.

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Specializes in SICU.

I actually just talked with a program director today and she said that they wanted a reference from the dean/professor/etc but if you had been out of school long enough and were unable to get these that your floor educator would also work.

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