Just finished my first semester. Ask me anything.

Nursing Students SRNA

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Wow...I can't believe it's only been been 3 1/2 months! It feels like it's been at least a year. But finally, a few hours ago today, I took my last final and finished my first semester of CRNA school!

I figured this would be a good time to answer questions anyone may have about transitioning into a CRNA program.

I'm in a front-loaded program, so I can't really help out with any questions regarding clinicals, but if you have questions about didactics and transitioning into school, I'll take a crack at it!

Specializes in SICU.

I have pretty good stats GPA 3.9 8 years of ICU experience with 4 years of travel experience. I currently work at a level one university hospital in a busy SICU with frequent drips, ECMO, and CRRT. I am taking GRE at end of August so preparing for that and no time right now to prepare for CCRN. I am sending my application in next week. Do you think they would turn me down without CCRN?

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.
I have pretty good stats GPA 3.9 8 years of ICU experience with 4 years of travel experience. I currently work at a level one university hospital in a busy SICU with frequent drips ECMO, and CRRT. I am taking GRE at end of August so preparing for that and no time right now to prepare for CCRN. I am sending my application in next week. Do you think they would turn me down without CCRN?[/quote']

Not necessarily, it really depends on the program. each program considers things differently. Some will rank CCRN higher than GRE scores and vice versa, or your experience alone may be enough. Just keep in mind that Most of the applicants they interview will have their CCRN.

If they do grant you an interview, I would try to get it before then.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
MeTheRN, I am so engrossed in this post and I am grateful I found it! I had never heard of Wolford College before for CRNA. I am in Miami and was looking into the local schools, however some require my chemistry & stats to be less than 5 years old, ha! And, some are now solely BSN-DNAP programs.

I am going to apply based on your posts alone. Especially the part where you emphasize that everyone starts at zero in the program as far as skill. There are some negative reviews out there but every school has those.

I live in Miami and would have to relocate to Naples for the duration of the program.

Can I find a roommate in the program? What is the avg rent? In Miami a 1 bedroom is at least $900/mo! Have other SRNAs left their spouses at home in another city? How is that going for them?

Do you get any breaks in between semesters? How long?

Are there advantages to Wolford over FGCU?

Thanks and YOU ROCK!

I would never suggest going to a school based on someone's online postings alone. Miami has FIU and UM, so look into those programs too just in case you like them better and wouldn't have to relocate.

Yes you can find a roommate in the program. Wolford has a housing forum that you can access and find a roommate that way. The average rent is $900+ for a 1br/ba apartment in Naples. There are lots of SRNA's that have left their spouses and families back home. They're sad, but making it through the program OK. There's actually a guy in my program that commutes to and from Miami on the weekends.

You get 2 week breaks between semesters during the didactic portion of the program. No more breaks when you're in clinicals, except one week long vacation that you schedule ahead of time.

I like Wolford over FGCU because it's been around longer, it has better clinical connections in town, it has better instructors, and it doesn't have to deal with the minutia of being part of a university or school of nursing.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
Hi,

I will have 2 car payments that I will not be able to get rid of by the time I start next year if I get accepted. Good news is I don't have kids so will be able to buckle down you know beans and rice! My husband currently works at Lowes which doesn't pay great. I am hoping he can find a job and bring home at least 1600/month after taxes. When you say you borrowed 65k for a year is that just 12 months or half of the program (14)? I am thinking we need about 3000/month. Have you heard of people having difficulty with loans? My credit rate is very good so I shouldn't have a problem there. Also, when it comes to finding a place to live are apartments ok with no job and student loan income? Thanks for all the info in this thread! I took PALS yesterday and have recommendations and transcripts being sent this week and just finished my resume yesterday. Now to work on studying for the GRE which I am taking at the end of August and the essay. I am debating whether or not to take the CCRN. Thanks!

If you take out the maximum student loans, it averages out to about a little over $3000/month in take home cash. I'd rent an apartment with your work history as an RN and I wouldn't mention that you're in CRNA school. It's none of their business and your rent will get paid. Definitely take the CCRN before the program. You'll need to know this information eventually, might as well learn it now when you're not under pressure to learn everything else at the same time.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
I have pretty good stats GPA 3.9 8 years of ICU experience with 4 years of travel experience. I currently work at a level one university hospital in a busy SICU with frequent drips, ECMO, and CRRT. I am taking GRE at end of August so preparing for that and no time right now to prepare for CCRN. I am sending my application in next week. Do you think they would turn me down without CCRN?

I'd absolutely get the CCRN before starting the program. You'll build on what you learn for the exam in the program, so it can only help you understand the material better when you see it again.

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@MeTheRn, thanks for all your wisdom. I've been following your responses and this thread for quite a while now. I was just accepted to a nurse anesthesia program and begin in January, well the director registered me for 2 classes (online) for the Fall semester. She told me it will be a rough Fall with work, but it will be worth it later in the program. I guess I wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer so many questions. Your insight was appreciated, and hopefully I can pay it forward while I'm progressing through my program.

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Specializes in SICU.
I'd absolutely get the CCRN before starting the program. You'll build on what you learn for the exam in the program, so it can only help you understand the material better when you see it again.

I am preparing for the GRE right now and would like to send my application this week so my focus is currently on the GRE since that is listed as a requirement and CCRN is not. Do you have to apply for a Florida License before applying? Thanks.

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.

I am preparing for the GRE right now and would like to send my application this week so my focus is currently on the GRE since that is listed as a requirement and CCRN is not. Do you have to apply for a Florida License before applying? Thanks.

Concentrate on what you need. If you get accepted, I would not waste time or money on the CCRN. Your time through school will be limited and you should spend your free time doing thing you enjoy. If you don't get accepted, then by all means take your CCRN and show how you have improved.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.

Just finished my sixth semester of anesthesia school...ask me anything! :cat: What a relief it is to be going into my last semester! Starting to make a game plan for studying for boards, venturing out into the uncertain territory of CRNA recruiters and job apps. I have a few specialty cases that I still need, but otherwise I'm set as far as my numbers go. It's daunting to think of how far I've come in a little less than two years. It's very humbling to realize that you balance life and death every day in the operating room. I'm beyond lucky to have chosen this profession, and I don't regret it one bit.

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.
@MeTheRn, thanks for all your wisdom. I've been following your responses and this thread for quite a while now. I was just accepted to a nurse anesthesia program and begin in January, well the director registered me for 2 classes (online) for the Fall semester. She told me it will be a rough Fall with work, but it will be worth it later in the program. I guess I wanted to thank you for taking the time to answer so many questions. Your insight was appreciated, and hopefully I can pay it forward while I'm progressing through my program.

You are very welcome. I think it's very important to pay it forward. You can never have enough good karma in life, even in anesthesia!

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wow congrats!!! Just started my first semester too, can't wait till I can give back like you have here!

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Specializes in SICU.

I had my interview last Friday! Anxiously waiting to hear back! Interview went great just don't like waiting!! Hopefully I will be starting my first semester in February! Also, I was wondering do you use an IPAD or laptop for this program? Thanks.

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