Looking for some advice, please!!

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Specializes in MICU.

Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about applying to the University of Akron's CRNA program. Interviews are next October, which will put me at 14 months experience. If I get accepted, the program starts in June (putting me at 22 months experience). I am currently working at a level 1 trauma center in the MICU. Does anyone have advice for me to increase my chances of being accepted? I'm extremely dedicated to what I do, and constantly study even though I am out of school. I just love to learn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I do plan on taking the CCRN exam as soon as I am eligible. I already have my ACLS, but are there any other certifications out there which I should pursue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My grandmother was a CRNA back in the 50s through the 80s and I have always wanted to follow in her footsteps, I have great admiration for the profession!!

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Sounds like you are heading in the right direction. As far as your experience goes some schools will even let you in with 9 mo. experience as long as you will complete the one year mark by the time you start classes. You also have to take into consideration your GPA and GRE scores, if you did well in those areas you shouldn't have a problem getting in with that much experience already.

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Specializes in Transplant/Surgical ICU.

14 months should qualify you for the CCRN... However, if interviews are next week, it means you have missed the application deadline:confused:

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Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.
Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about applying to the University of Akron's CRNA program. Interviews are next October, which will put me at 14 months experience. If I get accepted, the program starts in June (putting me at 22 months experience). I am currently working at a level 1 trauma center in the MICU. Does anyone have advice for me to increase my chances of being accepted? I'm extremely dedicated to what I do, and constantly study even though I am out of school. I just love to learn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I do plan on taking the CCRN exam as soon as I am eligible. I already have my ACLS, but are there any other certifications out there which I should pursue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My grandmother was a CRNA back in the 50s through the 80s and I have always wanted to follow in her footsteps, I have great admiration for the profession!!

PALS would be good and probably required. Some people take TNCC. Good GRE helps a lot. Is your GPA good? If you are working full time then you should have enough hours for CCRN. Great reference letters would be good too.

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Specializes in MICU.

Thanks for the advice everyone! My undergrad GPA was 3.66. Have not taken the GRE yet. I spoke with my unit manager and she told me that I will be able to take the CCRN before the interview next October, so I should be set in that regard. I have recommedations from charge nurse, unit manager, and the chair of my undergrad nursing program. I guess time will tell!

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Specializes in ICU.
Thanks for the advice everyone! My undergrad GPA was 3.66. Have not taken the GRE yet. I spoke with my unit manager and she told me that I will be able to take the CCRN before the interview next October, so I should be set in that regard. I have recommedations from charge nurse, unit manager, and the chair of my undergrad nursing program. I guess time will tell!

Hi! so did you apply? I am thinking of applying for2012.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

The politics of being a CRNA is rough. The job itself is rewarding. I read your guys' entries and you all sounded just like I did prior to becoming a CRNA. Full of motivation. That's great. Just know that the politics really do s*ck. Just last week my boss (an anesthesiologist, who is very lazy indeed), talked to me like I was scum from the bottom of the ocean. Terrible man. Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Sounds like your undergraduate GPA and critical experience makes you a good candidate to apply. Definitely go for your CCRN, try and shadow a CRNA, write a good personal statement describing yourself and your goals, and get good letters of recommendation that can reflect your critical thinking knowledge and abilities! You can also try taking a graduate level course if you have time. Good luck!!!

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Specializes in Sub-Acute/Psychiatric/Detox.

Politics are in every setting....I try not to let people get under my skin.

2 types of jerks in this world. The negotiable jerks and non negotiable jerks.

Good luck and I think its honorable that your Grandmother was a CRNA back that long.

If you want it bad enough you will get it.

Just wanted to offer some encouragement.

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Specializes in MICU.

I have applied and plan on interviewing in October. Thanks again to everyone for the advice and encouragement!!

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Specializes in ICU/CCU.

I have to agree with Beeflowe...politics are rough re the CRNA...I took a hypnosis class with several CRNA's....wonderful people who are underappreciated every day they go to their job....

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Specializes in CRNA, Law, Peer Assistance, EMS.
Hi everyone,

I'm thinking about applying to the University of Akron's CRNA program. Interviews are next October, which will put me at 14 months experience. If I get accepted, the program starts in June (putting me at 22 months experience). I am currently working at a level 1 trauma center in the MICU. Does anyone have advice for me to increase my chances of being accepted? I'm extremely dedicated to what I do, and constantly study even though I am out of school. I just love to learn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I do plan on taking the CCRN exam as soon as I am eligible. I already have my ACLS, but are there any other certifications out there which I should pursue? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My grandmother was a CRNA back in the 50s through the 80s and I have always wanted to follow in her footsteps, I have great admiration for the profession!!

I can at least tell you the program director...one of his interests is trauma (former Chief CRNA at Shock Trauma in Baltimore), so your Level 1 Trauma Center experience will be a plus possibly. You might want to switch to SICU, or CardioThoracic Surgical ICU if available...wherever you can care for some sick surgical/trauma/neuro. May give you the edge on paper.

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