Paramedic/RN, CRNA candidate

Class2011 · May 22, 2010

It's not about being superior or inferior, they're different. They will look upon your paramedic work favorably. But it is no substitute for the ICU which gives you experience

managing critical patients for a longer period of time

. This is also why ER experience is does not count toward CRNA school.

loveanesthesia · May 22, 2010

In my opinion, having done both, my EMS experience has giving me acute care experience that is invaluable, particularly with performing and teaching advanced airway skills, RSI, 12-leads, etc.

Are you teachable? That's what programs will want to know. How are you going to react in clinical when someone corrects your positioning of the patient for intubation? Also you state that your GPA isn't the best, academically the nurse anesthesia program is going to be at a different level, so can you step up to the next level?

shandsburnRN-CRNA · May 22, 2010

Lissa160,

I can't speak for all CRNA programs and clinical sites but I can give you my experience. When I applied to CRNA school I had been a Paramedic for 7 years and an ICU nurse for 2 1/2 (Level I ICU). I went to Barry University, they look positively at paramedics because of our airway management skills, critical thinking ability and independance. So I feel that definately gave me an edge for the application process.

In clinical, there were kinda two trains of thought. Admit your paramedic/airway experience or keep it to yourself. Some think if you share this experience your preceptors will look at you as a "know-it-all" because you've intubated before. For me personally I shared my intubation knowledge/experience with my preceptors because I could tell they would be open to it. Besides its going to be obvious when you have no trouble intubating someone. When I would work with a CRNA I hadn't before I would say something like...."I have airway and intubation experience as a Paramedic but please tell me if you see something I could do better".

Some more of my personal experience. My Chief CRNA told right before I graduated that I was the first Paramedic to CRNA they had ever had. He told me my paramedic experience was obvious from day one, not just in airway management but also with "aggressiveness" in taking patient care. For example the CRNA's wouldn't have to tell me "okay, this is your case", I would just step up and do the case and they would guide me and "pimp" me for answers as the case went along. (BTW: pimping for answers = a constant barrage of questions from the preceptor). Some of my classmates would comment on how they were nervous at first when learning to run a case independantly. I don't want to say I wasn't nervous, but I think my experience as a Paramedic and pulling up on mass casualty scenes and unexpected patient scenarios prepared me more than anything for just getting in there and doing it.

But as Class2011 said, your ICU experience is more valuable to your future CRNA education. You will use those vasoactive drips, balloon pumps and ventilators much more extensively as and ICU RN as well as learn time management, use of central lines, a-lines and PA catheters.

As loveanesthesia said, are you teachable. You have to go into CRNA school completely humble and open minded. The CRNA's you will work with have "paid their dues" as SRNA's and gave up 28 months of their life and spent countless hours studying and endless hours in the OR. So don't go in with an attitude like, "this sucks", "it's not fair", "I'm tired"....because they know it sucks and that its not fair and that you are tired, but it's your turn so suck it up and push forward.

The GPA dilemma. Well that depends on what your GPA actually is. Is it fair, like 3.5 or is it crap like 2.8. Also remember alot of programs look at their applicants as a "whole" not just based on one score. For example if you have a GPA of 3.2 but your GRE is 1400 or better then they will take that into consideration, plus your experience and your ATTITUDE. The academic stress you will be under in CRNA school is in a class of its own.

Good Luck!!!!

Lissa160 · May 23, 2010

I realize the experience gained from ICU, like I said, they are just different experiences that, having done them both, I feel are equally valuable towards crna for different reasons. Paramedic work and the autonomy and skills involved in the field environment are entirely different from that of ER nurses. I will have the required ICU experience- 1 yr by application and 2 years by matriculation.

My gpa I feel could be better as I sit with an overall of 3.3 and 3.6 for my last 60cr. My first BS was in physics & chemistry (a fairly long time ago), so it was lower than my second BS or my nursing gpa an that young mistake brought my overall gpa down. I am still considering an MSN to boost my gpa, but I'm trying to decide if it's really necessary or if I should just apply as is. If the ad-coms are only going to look at numbers and nursing, I see the value of having a high gpa through an MSN. If they will look at my accomplishments as a medic as well, there are publications, teaching, and other things that will help me on that end.

I am definitely teachable. We spend time every year with crna's doing RSI and intubation practice in the OR and I'm always open to correction or new techniques- it seems like each new round of fresh crna's has something new to teach and I really enjoy it. I love to learn and I teach as well, so I understand needing to be a blank slate as a student, I'm not one who's set in my ways and I recognize that medicine is ever-evolving- there's always something to learn.

Lissa160 · May 23, 2010

Thank you so much, shandsburn-CRNA, that's precisely what I was looking for.

I think I am a well-rounded overall applicant if they'll consider that, particularly considering I've pulled off good grades the last few years while being a single parent to a young child as well as working 48-72 hrs/wk. I feel my GRE is competitve, but I'm somewhat scared I'll be up against young nurses who didn't have families and jobs during school and thus a 4.0 was more easily attainable. However, my son will be 9-12 by the time I'm in grad school, I'll have a live-in nanny, and I don't plan to work at all either.

We get "pimped" by our CRNA's also and I no longer find it intimidating. It's a chance to figure out what I don't know and to maybe think outside the box a bit. They have gone from encouraging me to apply as a medic to practically insisting on it and grilling me when they see me in ICU also, so I think that's a good sign, we really have a great group here and I trust their judgement of whther I can make it through school well. I kept my medic status to myself most of the time during nursing clinicals and found that worked well, but like you said, it would be a matter of feeling out the preceptor. I imagine they can tell by technique and comfort level if you've had experience also. As far as attitude, I'm a pretty upbeat person, but when I want something, I go get it. I've never wanted anything more to get into CRNA school, so I'm sure that'll show. There's not much of anything that gets me down, so I imagine whatever they can dig up to throw at me, I'll work that much harder with a bigger smile on my face and say "bring it on!"

Thanks a ton! :)

Class2011 · May 24, 2010

You sound like a strong applicant. The MSN is unnecessary, but you may need to fill some prerequisites and make sure you get A's. Start looking into schools.

paramed1 · Jun 3, 2010

Hi everyone,

I am just getting into nursing school, after working a few years as a medic... yay!

Anyways... I'm so glad someone brought up the whole paramedic to CRNA... I'm thinking at this point, I'd like to go that route and I'm glad the path has been created(:

If I may ask... how was going through nursing school as a medic? I'm slightly scared! Also did you tell instructors about your previous healthcare experience?

Thanks!