Hello everyone! I am looking for some advice on my path to becoming a CRNA. I am looking for pretty specific advice on my situation so this may be a little lengthy so bear with me. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
A bit about myself:
I am a 23yo male from Southern California. I am currently in my first year of a BSN program in Flagstaff, Arizona at NAU (will be 25 when I graduate). I have worked as a Vet Tech for several years at an emergency vet which is where my interest in anesthesia developed (not just interested in the money). I have experience in intubation, monitoring, recovery etc.. and I feel as though I have a good understanding of what CRNAs do and I am sure this is what I want to do.
I went to community college for several years before transferring. I didn't do too great there (because I was young and foolish and wasn't trying). I have gotten straight As since transferring, including As in all college science classes i have taken. I plan on taking gen chem, O chem, biochem and possibly physics or other classes the next couple summers (not included in my program) to further my education.
My goal:
Become a CRNA and live in southern California. I would ideally like to attend the Kaiser CRNA program through Cal State Fullerton. The requirements for this program include 1yr ICU expereince:
Minimum of one year of current full time clinical registered nursing experience in adult critical care ICU. The Adult ICU requirement can be satisfied by working in any kind of Adult ICU environment, such as a Medical ICU, Surgical ICU, Coronary Care Unit, Trauma ICU, Cardiovascular ICU, Neuro ICU, Burn ICU, and CT ICU. The following experience is NOT considered adult critical care: emergency room, post anesthesia care unit, step down unit, and cath lab.
However on their site under how to be a competitive applicant it says this:
Have at least 2-3 years of current adult ICU experience in a large metropolitan teaching facility
This is where I need advice.
My goal is to get back to SoCal asap. I miss my family and the beach. However, I would also like to be able to become a CRNA asap (ideally by the time I'm 30-32). I am willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen.
The way I see it I have a few options:
1-Do my preceptorship at the local hospital, FMC (which is a level 1 trauma center, but I'm pretty sure doesn't count as a large metropolitan teaching facility) and try to get hired straight into the ICU here. Work here for a couple years then try to transfer to a large teaching hospital ICU in San Diego or LA. It sounds like I could have a good chance of getting hired into the ICU here if I do well in clinicians and volunteer but it could take a while to get into a large teaching hospital after starting here.
2-Do my preceptorship at a large teaching hospital in Phoenix/Tucson and try to get hired into the ICU there straight out of school. This seems like it could be the fastest but would not be ideal since I do not have an interest in living in Phoenix and feel as though it would be hard to get hired straight into the ICU.
3-Do my preceptorship at the local hospital and try to get hired at a large teaching hospital in San Diego or LA. I'm not sure if i'd be able to get straight into the ICU this way, but could start in a different department and try to work my way up within the hospital? This seems like it might be the slowest option but would get me back home the fastest.
Basically my questions is which route do I pursue? I know this dependent on a lot of different factors, but having a specific goal to work toward has always been helpful for me.
I know I am thinking about all this a little early, but I know this is what I want to do. I just want to reach the requirement as soon as possible, that way when I am confident enough in my abilities and knowledge to apply to the program there will be nothing stopping me.
Thank you for reading! Any input or advice either related to my question or not would be greatly appreciated!
I had no idea the program you're in existed! That sounds like another great option since I have family in Upland. How do you like the online classes? It's interesting that they do live video streams.
As I mentioned before I did not do too great my first couple semesters of community college. I got a few Cs mainly in liberal study classes (history, public speaking etc.) I have As in all sciences classes luckily. I have noticed most program's GPA requirements say within the last 60 credit hours. Do you know if this is all they look at? or is that simply for requirement purposes and admission is based off of overall cumulative GPA?
I am trying to decide if taking more science classes over the next couple summers (physics, ochem, biochem, advanced patho etc.) or retaking the classes I got Cs in (well over 60 credits ago) would be a better option.
It seems as though getting into any ICU out of school and then transferring to a larger hospital would be better than getting into a large hospital and working my way up?
Get into any ICU you can. Preferably the largest one. A mediocre ICU would be better experience than a tele unit at a level 1 trauma center (just sayin).
This program is big on interviews, and where you apply for your clinical site along with how competitive applicants for that site play a big role in whether or not you get accepted. Again, the interview is the most important thing. People with 4.0 GPAs get turned down, but then they go an accept somebody with a 3.1, so it's really more of an overall picture thing I guess. Most of my classmates had really high undergrad GPAs (higher than mine, haha). My grad GPA is higher than most of theirs (funny how that works). The interview is very clinical with CCRN style questions.
I personally LOVE the distance site thing. I can rewatch lectures whenever I want. We have microphones to ask questions in class if we have to. The professors are always a text, email, or call away and they're mostly all very helpful and quick to respond. It works for me because I never really talk to my professors anyways (I'm more of an independent learner). Our classmates all help each other out for the most part as well.
TWU is a big program. They've produced A LOT of CRNAs so they have the formula down. The quality can vary from clinical site to clinical site obviously (just from what I hear. I don't know much about the other sites), but the program has produced a lot of practicing CRNAs. I've learned a ton, and I feel like our physiology professor really lays down a solid base to understand anesthesia. He's definitely one of the biggest strengths of the program. Attending here worked out for me because I got to stay in California and didn't have to move at all. I would definitely attend again.
As far as retaking classes goes, finish your BSN first. Focus on getting As. If your GPA is > 3.5, don't retake any courses. If it's
Like one of the previous posters stated, focus on the NOW as much as you can. Get the best grades you can RIGHT NOW, and learn all you can RIGHT NOW.
It seems as though getting into any ICU out of school and then transferring to a larger hospital would be better than getting into a large hospital and working my way up?
Once you have ICU experience on your resume you have a LOT of career opportunities. Even if it's a smaller ICU. For now, I agree with the advice to keep your nursing program grades as high as you possibly can. It will be your ticket in to anesthesia school.
Goals: Get into ICU as a grad. That means relocating and try to get your preceptorship/senior capstone in the ICU.
Consider an ICU tech (CNA) job. That's what helped me get into ICU after boards.
I'm taking gen chem now over the summer, but would never consider adding anything during fall/spring semester. Do you think Physics (I haven't taken any), o-chem/biochem or patho/pharm would be more helpful?
That's great to hear that about that program, it sounds like it could be a good option for me since my GPA may not be super high but I feel as though I do pretty well with interviews. And the online classes sound pretty nice.
Its nice to hear a concrete answer that any ICU would be a better option than another department, I kind of thought that but wasn't sure.
I have considered getting a job as a CNA (thought about trying to do EMT over the summer to get into the ED, but decided it was too expensive) but feel like I may get more valuable experience as a Vet Tech. I learn a lot from the vets, especially now that I have more knowledge from school and know what questions to ask. Obviously it is experience with animals and not people so I know that a CNA job would give me a better chance of getting hired. However, I feel like being a Vet Tech I will learn more about physiology, pharm as well as get more experience with venipuncture and things like that that would hopefully make me a better ICU nurse. On the other hand as a CNA I would get a better feel for the hospital setting, caring for people and how things work in the ICU. I'm also sure I would make more money keeping my current job.
Classes aren't really online FYI. You're pretty much Face timing live in class while during the same time that the rest of the is physically attending in Fort Worth Tx. Attendance is mandatory. Only take extra classes if you're sure you can get an A in them. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
Ahh I see, still nice to be able to do it from home though. Sounds like it could be really early morning classes if its at the same time as the students in Texas?
I don't doubt my ability to get As as long as I don't take too many at the same time while working. Just wondering which would be best. I know USC requires physics so that was my plan as I plan on applying to all the schools in CA that have switched to entry level doctorate programs. However, if I am really going for Kaiser was thinking patho/pharm might be more beneficial.
Hey hows it going brotha... Coming from someone who had the same path as you I'd say some back home and apply at county hospitals. They usually are teaching centers and pay less so they depend on nursing going for their first year and then bouncing out to better paying facilities (Private/KP) but try that route. I actually volunteered at my hospital, got hired in the ICU 2 days in I actually fitted in with everyone, and will be starting CRNA school this August at the same facility. PM if you need some advice on the applying process. Its going to be just as bad as applying to nursing school lol
Intensive Care Murse
30 Posts
I had no idea the program you're in existed! That sounds like another great option since I have family in Upland. How do you like the online classes? It's interesting that they do live video streams.
As I mentioned before I did not do too great my first couple semesters of community college. I got a few Cs mainly in liberal study classes (history, public speaking etc.) I have As in all sciences classes luckily. I have noticed most program's GPA requirements say within the last 60 credit hours. Do you know if this is all they look at? or is that simply for requirement purposes and admission is based off of overall cumulative GPA?
I am trying to decide if taking more science classes over the next couple summers (physics, ochem, biochem, advanced patho etc.) or retaking the classes I got Cs in (well over 60 credits ago) would be a better option.
It seems as though getting into any ICU out of school and then transferring to a larger hospital would be better than getting into a large hospital and working my way up?
Great input, thank you for your advice!