betsylew

At my hospital, the RTs handle the vents. I know the basics of modes and such, but there is definitely more that I can learn. So I brushed up by asking RTs and MDs specific questions about things that I didn't understand. I also came up with case scenarios and asked what they would do in those circumstances. In my interview, I told the panel that I work with vented patients on a regular basis, but I was not asked any questions on vent management.

I don't think schools care whether you took your science classes at a 2yr or 4yr school. I took some classes at a university, some at a community college, and some online. No distinction was made between the three at my interview - they just seemed to look at what the grades were.

The school's website states, "Students will rotate to a variety of clinical sites in Arizona and New Mexico..." (see the curriculum tab). A couple of days ago, I spoke with someone in the clinical education department at Midwestern, and he said the school currently has clinical sites in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. The rotations are 6-12 weeks long. The students are responsible for taking care of travel and housing arrangements and expenses, but some sites do have prearranged housing. Hope this helps. -Betsy

Brad- I think it is pretty common for nursing programs to use that modified grading scale (where 92% and up is an A). I went to Arizona State University and we used that same scale. A lot of CRNA programs look at your science GPA in addition to your overall GPA, so you might consider retaking some of your science classes - possibly at a community college where a traditional grading scale is used. Also, I have read other posts on this forum by people who have gotten in to CRNA school with GPAs in the 3.2-3.3 range. So I say do your best to bring your GPA up during the rest of your nursing program, get great experience, and apply.

I applied to the University of Kansas Medical Center.

The school that I have an interview with sent me a list of clinical competencies, and they want me to be ready to discuss how well I meet the competencies. They include things like interpretation of ABGs and lab values, understanding of PA catheters and Atrerial lines, experience with vents and IV therapy, interpretation of EKGs, and knowledge of ACLS and meds - vasoactive drugs, antiarrhthmics, alpha/beta blockers, neuromuscular blockers, sedation and pain medication. Not all schools ask clinical questions - you could probably call the school and ask what to be prepared for. I have also heard that interviewers sometimes ask why you chose their school specifically and how you plan to finance school. Betsy

A lot of schools' application deadlines for 2007 have already passed. There are some that are still accepting applications, but the deadlines for all the programs I've looked at are within the next couple months. You would have to get your transcripts, letters of recommendations, make sure you have all the required prereqs, take the GRE (for some schools), write an application essay... It would be tough to do this year, but you might be able to. Plus, I don't think OR counts as critical care and most schools require you to have 1-3 years cc experience. If you are in the ICU now and you apply to a program that starts next fall, you would have a year of experience by the time the program starts - you would have to check with the school to see if that is enough experience.

From what I've gathered, CRNA schools mostly look at your ICU experience. I don't think they really care about what kind of nursing you did before that. If you get experience with vents, vasoactive drips, cardiac meds, EKGs, and swans in your ER then I think it might be worthwhile to stay there for a while because those are the kind of things you need to know. But if you'll get more experience with those things in your SICU, then I think you should go straight there. I spent a year on a med/surg floor before I went to the SICU and I really don't think that its going to help me get into CRNA school - what I'm doing now in the SICU will. The CRNA schools want to make sure you know your stuff and that you are the kind of person who can make it through the program and be successful as a CRNA. Letting them know that you've had the goal of becoming a CRNA and have made and followed a plan to get you there may help show your commitment. I have applied to schools and will be interviewing soon so I'll let you know what happens and if I find out anything more about what they're looking for.

MountainRN EMT - what school did you take your online organic chem class through?