PRE MED TO CRNA...tell me my chances....please reply

srna2008 · Aug 11, 2008

I was in your shoes. I only had about 20 hours to finish by BS in biology, so I decided to go ahead and finish that and apply to nursing school. I had about a 3.5 with my biology degree (I took all the math, physics, organic, biochem, and biology). I got into CRNA school and I believe that background helped.

One thing you need to consider is that you will be making $0 while in school, so you need to plan how to pay the bills while in school. My wife is also an RN and I took out some loans.

I externed in a SICU while in nursing school and they hired me after graduation. Try to get into an ICU as soon as you can.

Good luck

cometwfour · Aug 11, 2008

Looks good so far.

gasmaster · Aug 11, 2008

The schools are going to look at your GPA, MAT or GRE, certifications, years experience, and so on. My advice is to make the best grades u can in your BSN program and then find a good critical care internship program. Schools typically require 1 year minimum ICU, but many will not apply your time in your internship to that year. It does not matter what type of ICU you work in, but rather the acuity of the patients. Many peeps will tell u that the schools prefer CVICU experience but this is false. If you are granted an interview the panel will ask you questions related to your area of expertise. I am a neuro ICU nurse and all my questions were related to neuro meds, hemodynamic monitoring, ventilator management, and so on. Also many panels will ask u if you have ever shadowed a CRNA. They look very favorably on this. Anyone considering applying should shadow just to make sure it's really what they want to do for the rest of their lives. Good luck!

stanman1968 · Aug 11, 2008

With a good GRE (I am sure you would do well) I would think you would stand an excellent chance.

JumpNurse · Aug 11, 2008

You will be fine. Just don't blow your nursing classes. They aren't very difficult, but they can be tedious. Do well on your GRE and get solid clinical experience.

NewTexasRN · Aug 12, 2008

Well, darn, can you tutor me! Just kidding. Well, you sound like me. I didn't have the drive and passion to continue on that long road to becoming an MD, but I'm currently in nursing school and I thought about it more. What does your heart tell you? Don't worry about the years because you can become a CRNA and secretly want to be an MD. You won't feel satisfied. You'll feel as if there's something else you should be doing. Nursing has a world of its own and people shouldn't think it's about taking the easier route. You have to love people because we spend more time with when them than the doc's do. Don't forget that CRNA is a specialty itself. Would you like giving anesthesia to pt's?

-Good Luck-

SBCHEV99 · Aug 12, 2008

thank you everyone for replying... the more i think about going towards a crna the more excited i get about it....i would think that my two years in nursing school i would do just fine in; so its one thing im not to worried about at this time

also, does anyone know what it is like applying out of state? do you even get looked at when applying from out of state? besides all this, keep the comments coming!!

SBCHEV99 · Aug 12, 2008

ohh yes if anyone has wondered about the post that reads 'do you have to go to nursing school to be a crna?' yes, that was from me....it came as a shock to see that a threaad that i had asked about many many moons ago ( maybe 8-9 months ago? :specs: ) is still up and alive, this was when i was enrolled in respiratory therapy....

Screen name · Aug 12, 2008

1.) students with their noses in the air, trying to be better than everyone else because they are PREMED,
2.) the ammount of time trying to find a residency program etc, and spending 7 or more years of my life (after my bachelors degree) trying to finish this and that just to be able to finally work
3.) and worrying about not finding a decent job while waiting to be accepted into med school.
B Inorganic chemistry 1
A Inorganic chemistry 2
A Physics 1
A Physics 2
B Biology 150
A Bioilogy 151
B+ Organic Chemistry 1
A Organic Chemistry 2
My total GPA is about a 3.7

I'm gonna call you out on all three of your points:

1.) If you are a having a hard time only being classmates with potential doctors, then how do you think you will feel working under them? At that point you aren't on the same level as them (classmate), but working for them (coworker). If they have their noses in the air now, can you image what it will be like in 6-8 more years? Your school isn't any different than the majority, so don't just think because you won't be working for them that any other students going on to be doctors will be any different*. If it's other people that are swaying you into changing your degree, don't let them - that would be the biggest mistake you could make.

2.) and 3.) I think you're trying to cross those bridges before you ever get to them. Are you trying to talk yourself out of the MD? You can't tell the future, and just because some people have it easier or harder you don't know what your specific case will be when it comes to getting into a school/residency. Your GPA is very competive, just don't short change yourself. If you have to work in ICU for a year, possibly more, than why can't you use that time as a cushion for getting into a medical school or residency program?

*OK, this is my disclaimer. I can't just put every single doctor into one category, that's not fair, nor true. Some (a lot) will be very down to earth... but I hope you get the point I was trying to make!

SBCHEV99 · Aug 13, 2008

i completely understand what you are trying to say, its just one thing that i cannot pass is when there are students that feel as if they have bragging rights over other students...i do not say anything along these lines towards students or around others inside/outside of school or work. i feel as if we are all equal no matter what we decide to go into.

but besides all this i feel as if there is something pulling me toward nursing. i didnt expect to get replies like i have already received from all of you; and i thank all of you for the advice that you have given.

The more i sit and think about the pros/cons of med school vs becoming a CRNA i drift towards a career in becoming a CRNA. I for one do not need the feeling of accomplishment of becoming a Medical Doctor. I knew from the start i wasn't going into this just to get my name of DR. X stamped on my coat or office door.

well lets keep em' comin!

Screen name · Aug 14, 2008

Just looking out! Welcome, hehe! *wine