Is 2yrs really enough?

charles-thor · Jul 5, 2003

Well I certainly can't speak for every program, but I can tell you I got into 3 of the 4 schools that I interviewed with. I too had 2 years under my belt at one of the nations' leading teaching hospitals. The last school, however, said I didn't have enough experience, however everyone I interviewed with was in thier 30s with many years of experience. Provided you have steller grades, GRE, recommendations, ect, you should do fine. Best of luck!

shirleyTX · Jul 5, 2003

Thanx for the advice, it is greatly appreciated..

szoozoo · Jul 7, 2003

I heard that one girl was accepted to the Acron University program straight after graduation from BSN program! Of course, she had 4.0 gpa and is really smart...

SCHMEGGA · Jul 17, 2003

We have several in our program (~5) that had less or right at one year experience when they applied, but they are all exceptional students. It can be done.

shirleyTX · Jul 17, 2003

I've really read up on becoming a CRNA and the program I'm looking towards when I final do apply already states on there website that it is VERY rare that someone with 1 CC experience will be admitted into the program so I'm not worried about it. I don't won't to rush and be underprepared if I were to get in. My first year I plan on focusing getting all the certifications (PALS

SCHMEGGA · Jul 18, 2003

Hey shirleyTX,

Your GPA is fantastic for a program. I wouldn't worry a bit about that! We have at least one new admission coming in this next year who has a 2.8 GPA. THere is much more to being admitted than just a GPA. Experience and interview are also very important, with no true emphasis on any one department. You need to be well rounded. You look as if you are doing everything right to get in. I have no doubt that you are an optimal candidate. You already show the enthusiasm and desire needed to make it though the program. Keep on your track and maybe we will work together some day.

Brenna's Dad · Jul 18, 2003

The AANA certification requires that enrolling students have a least a year of CC experience.

shirleyTX · Jul 18, 2003

Schmegga, are you attended school now or in the Fall? I hope maybe you find time to add to the forum any interesting pointers for us wantabe's cause I'm sure I'm not the only one that would appreciate it. Thanx again for the wonderful advice and support.

Shirley

CRNA, DNSc · Jul 18, 2003

I need to clarify the previous post on AANA requirement.

1)The body that governs the accreditation of nurse anesthesia programs is the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Edcuational Programs. It is an autonomus body from the AANA.

2)The requirement actually states that a program is required to enroll only students who have at least 1 year of experience as a registered professional nurse during which they have had the opportunity to develop as independant decision makers, demonstrate pyschomotor skills, and dispaly the ability to use advanced monitoring techniques, based on knowledge of physiological and pharmacological principles.

3)Programs may indicate what types of experiences or which unit experiences they will accept or set a requirement of more than 1 year of experience. Entrance requirements beyond the 1 year experience as an RN are the perogative of the individual program.

SCHMEGGA · Jul 19, 2003

Originally posted by shirleyTX
Schmegga, are you attended school now or in the Fall? I hope maybe you find time to add to the forum any interesting pointers for us wantabe's cause I'm sure I'm not the only one that would appreciate it. Thanx again for the wonderful advice and support.
Shirley

A little about me:

I have almost completed my didactic work (Final in 2 weeks!!!) and will begin residency on August 18th. I am heading to Abilene, TX at Hendrick Medical Center which is where I am from. I worked in the Critical Care Unit there from my senior year in the BSN program (1994) until October 2001. I then did cardiovascular recovery for a year at All-Saints in Ft. Worh before entering the Wesleyan program last fall. I have done a 90 hour rotation with a CRNA during my senior year in nursing school and knew that this is what I was going to do.

I am here! I am an avid (you might say addicted) computer user/builder/etc... so I will be in here quite a bit now that I have discovered the boards. I will try and post in any and all threads that I can. Ask me anything you want to know about preparation for school, life while in school, etc... I will be more than happy to give advice (hopefully it will be good ).

mbrian46 · Jul 21, 2003

My two cents..........I don't think years of experience counts as much as some schools lead on. They pretty much teach you everything you need to know in school about anesthesia. Please correct me if I am wrong for I am not currently a SRNA or CRNA, but I want to be! For instance, I had applied to a four schools this past fall and was offered interviews to all of them. (Background- I have 6 years ED, 2yrs Neurosurgery ICU- Level 1, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, CEN; GPA- 3.2 (with C's in Chem I, II, and Microbiology- 12 years ago), GRE- 1510). My GPA and GRE were not exceptional, but I thought ok in order to apply to school. Well, one of the first things asked in all the interviews.........."Tell me about your C's in Chem." Needless to say I did not get accepted, I don't know if this is the only reason, but it certainly didn't help. Recently, 2 people in my unit with less than 1 yr experience that I precepted were accepted into school (they both had 3.98 GPA.) I had applied to the same program and the program director told me the only reason I didn't get in is because of my C's in science courses. So, I believe based on my experience that work experience, although valuable, does not weigh as heavily as academic performance. I'm not giving up...............I just finished retaking Chem I and Micro ending up with an A and plan to take Chem II this fall. My advice is work the required length of time in a good ICU, but most of all make good grades to get that "exceptional" edge when applying...........Good luck