silver1

Try asking your question at www.nurse-anesthesia.com , you wouldn't have to deal with the random responses from people who are oblivious to the anesthesia world. It's a more focused forum for CRNA's, SRNA's, and Pre-SRNA's. Also try doing a search, all of the questions you have asked have been asked many times. The previous answer by the SRNA was very good! So to reiterate ... After graduating (hopefully with atleast a 3.0) try to get into an ICU that will give you experience with very high acuity patients, multiple gtts, ventilators, and other equipment. Prior to going to anesthesia school you will want to be able to feel comfortable managing these patients. During a couple of my interviews the Program Directors told me he prefers CardioThoracic ICU experience (trauma ICU, Surgical ICU, then medicine ICU). It looks good on a resume if you have Level 1 trauma center experience, which is what I had/have. After putting in roughly a year, get your CCRN (the exam should not be hard if you work with high acuity patients). Not all schools require CCRN, but you don't want that to be the deciding factor of someone else getting in over you. Get your TNCC, PALS, any credentials you can tack on doesnt look bad. Do your best to stand out in a positive way. Admissions committees want applicants who are well rounded and highly motivated. Prior to going to interviews, practice by doing mock interviews, it really does help. Most schools do not have 400 applicants for 6 seats, there were some schools like that about 10-15 years ago (one of the many CRNA's I shadowed stated there were 600 applicants for 10 seats). Generally speaking, most schools that have say 25 spots will have about 125-150 completed applications and grant about 60 interviews. But you have to take many factors into consideration, some schools have as little as 6 seats, but there's also a school that has 72 seats. location is a factor. If your willing to move, apply to many schools (increases your odds). I know someone who have applied year after year, then got accepted from an alternate list on their 5th year. Ive known people to get accepted with only 8 months experience at the time of interview. Ive know people with less than 3.0 GPA's. People with less than 900 on GRE. If your remain highly motivated, eager to learn, and willing to do what it takes you will get in! In regards to your question is it worth it....you'll have to do a little more investigation into nurse anesthesia and decide that for yourself. Best of luck to you!

Check your email. Yesterday I received a more formal email stating I was officially accepted. There are multiple attachments in the email, such as admissions acceptance form, critical requirements, and handbook. I was expecting to get snail mail, but it came in email form.

You just need to be well rounded. Make up for a low GPA in other areas such as GRE, Experience, grad classes. ALSO, figure out your last 60 credit GPA. My overall was 3.3 and BSN was 3.7, I put both on my resume and got interviews at all schools. Ive known people to get accepted with lower than 3.0 and less than 1k on GRE, But their experience was excellent (as well as interview skills). Best of luck to you, and get your CCRN for sure!

Thanks Perkizme, for everything. Do you have any recommendations, as far as what to do prior to starting (take stats, read over Morgan, mickhail, and murray). Any recommendations on places to stay in Cincy?

Got my Acceptance email from University of Cincinnati!!!! Such an exciting moment!

I would definitely recommend applying to multiple programs. Applying to only one program is not wise. If you really want to go, apply to multiple places. I've applied to 3 of the top programs this year and received interviews at all 3. If I dont gain acceptance, Im applying to atleast 7 next year. I'll do whatever it takes to get in.

DNP/DNAP isn't 2015! Although there are programs that are already DNP or DNAP only and others in the talks of going to the Doctoral program only. http://www.aana.com

I have interviewed for two different ICU's over my RN career. During both interviews I expressed my determination to become a CRNA, but what I really think got me the jobs was my extreme interest in learning and hard work. I personally would recommend letting them know that you are interested in CRNA school. A couple factors to weight: IF you do let them know, that could be a slight factor in you getting the position. But if you dont tell your manager, what happens when your suprise him/her by asking for a letter of recommendation in 8 months...Most schools require you to have a LOR from your current manager. If they want to keep you, they'll write you need more experience, its happend to many people. Maybe you could ask your manager how he/she feels about furthering ones education. If she promotes it I would be honest with her with your dreams/goals. Just something to think about! Goodluck

Yes I did take the CCRN and passed both CCRN and CEN first try. I as well found the CEN more difficult, BUT never working a day in the ER and working 3 yrs in ICU, it should have been harder. I do have TNCC is that the equivalent to Illinois's TNS or do you take TNCC in Illinois also?

Thanx everyone!!! I'm from lexington, just a couple hours away, but prior to interviews I like to know where Im going, so I plan on going up the day before to look around.

Also if your patient is on a propofol gtt, you'll want to make sure your not giving them too much lipids. If its already premixed in the TPN(3in1), your gonna need a new back of TPN, minus the lipids.

Is the TNS still offered, if so by whom? I do have my CEN already, but I'm always looking for opportunities to increase my knowledge (and resume). Passed CEN without ever working a single day in the ED, one week of studying , but I did work in a level 1 trauma center in TICU. Its a knowledge based test.

I agree with all from above, If you do have somone that is extremely dehydrated, BUN will be elevated, Crit shouldnt be affected too much (its more of an indicator of function). I have seen patients that were very dehydrated get 40mEq of K, and their potassium go from 3.7 to 6.1 (yes it was double verified with a peripheral stick) then get fluid and it came back down to 4.7, That pt's nurse was fairly new and was ready to give D50/insulin after the verification of the 6.1. Pt's CVP was 2.

Take a look at www.edwards.com , they're the ones that make Swan-Ganz catheters, look around on that website and you would find large amounts of info. You can even watch a video on the steps to place a swan. There's also lots of info on hemodynamics, you just have to look around, Great website that many CTICU nurses are unaware of.

For those who have the AACN CME review on DVD, did you get the disk that has the 600 reveiw questions? If so, what do you think about it?