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?

Depends, started out in a private hospital SICU, I bought a littmann cardiology STC ($175), then went to work for a level 1 trauma center in the trauma ICU, and half our patients come in or end up getting acinetobactor, so now my $175 stethoscope sits in my backpack and I use a 10 cent disposable stethescope. But I do always have it on standby in case I really need to hear something.

Has anyone else recieved an interview? How is everyone studying for the interview? Does anyone know if there are any hotels close to the interview site? Im looking to go up the day before my interview and I want to have to worry about all the traffic becuase I'm not too familiar with the area (eventhough I live in KY).

http://www.corexcel.com/courses/body.vent6.htm http://icufaqs.org has a ton of great info regarding all ICU patients. They have a book also. http://www.ccmtutorials.com/rs/mv/page3.htm Another great Overall icu education website

Two Pups, I noticed you just joined last month...WELCOME. The site has tons of great info, I would recommend doing a search, this could be one of the top talked about subjects. If you do a search you will find info on the best books to use. I used about 4 different books, they all pretty much say the same thing regarding test strategy (thats just my opinion). I would recommend memorizing Kaplans top 100 words, I seen a couple on my exam. As for as math, there's a great math review found on the ets.org website. Goes over everything you need to know to get atleast a 600 on the exam. Near the end of Kaplans Premiere, it goes over some more difficult questions. Goodluck!

A few recommendations: 1.) CCRN is vital, if its not required, it will help you stand out. You need 1750 hours at bedside to apply to sit for the exam. Get the Laura gasparis vonfrolio videos now. They will help you on the job, good for any nurse. 2.)Take this sickest patients (thats you feel comfortable with). You must become proficient on Vents, Swans, and Drugs. Dont be afraid to ask questions, and look up everything you don't know or understand. Best place to take care of the most critical patients is in a level 1 trauma center teaching hospital. If you can put level 1 trauma center on your application, they're going to know you've managed sick patients. 3.) Take all the educational classes your hospital offers: TNCC, PALS, CATN-II, ATLS, ENPC. Super-user when possible...I'm a super user for CVVH, Clinical Documentation, and Wound Vacs (Im the person to come to with questions regarding issues with these pieces of equipment. Put it all on your resume, show them how interested you are in your education. Maybe you can have your nurse educator write you a LOF (send atleast 4 LOR). I would recommend getting atlest a couple yours experience, when your in anesthesia school your going to want to have some experience to fall back on. Go to as many Codes as possible. I take the Code beeper as often as I can. I feel like roughly 90 percent of codes are preventable. Working in a high acuity ICU's I've only had my patients code 2 times in 4 years (not counting the ones that were coding on their way to me). I hope this helps.

Your stats actually look really good...4.0 BSN ...dont worry about your GPA so much, its not the only thing they look at. I would go the honest route and send all transcprits (Like the request). Make sure on your resume, you put GPA and BSN GPA, so they know you have been working hard since growing up (everyone makes mistakes at a young age). Make sure you have a good statment letter and good LOR. With all that said you should atleast get an interview at every place you apply. The only thing that could hold you back would be the interview. In the meantime, take some graduate level classes! MAKE SURE YOU GET AN A!Shows you can be successful in grad level course work.

I received my invitation to interview via email today as well, today is a good day! Time to start preping.

Thanks Perkizme, I was kind of expecting to hear something this past week, I knew they were going to wait a bit before reviewing all apps, Hopefully my anxiety from anticipation doesnt have to last too much longer. Perkizme, are you enjoying the UC program?

They haven't reviewed all the Apps yet, It should be close to the end of next week before you find anything out.

Which review DVD's are better, the MED ED or AACN CMC review?