Asherah

Unless this will change for the incoming cohort (doubtful), you are required to be in person for NA1 Fall term, starting late August. I worked full time through Spring and Summer terms, taking a few weeks off to decompress in late Summer. I still work PRN on holidays and breaks, just because I'm crazy and I like massages.

Current NA3 here, and wanted to say this is a great perspective to have and it will take you far when you are an SRNA in any program. I have to say, it's somewhat disheartening to see applicants express their disappointment here in some of the ways it has been said in this thread prior (by some, not all). In a three year program, almost NOTHING will be catered to your comfort...not your clinical schedule, not your exam schedule, not your preceptor's mood. You need to be fluid and flexible, characteristics that will serve you well when you are administering an anesthetic and in crisis situations. Please remember that there are > 150 SRNAs moving along at various years in the program and 700+ applications were received for this cycle. Most NA programs have a small core faculty and support staff, VCU is no different. Tuck away your disappointment and keep your head up, patience is really a virtue now. Good luck to you all!

Hey! I started my program with my MacBook and my iPad Pro, but honestly having a third large display is a lifesaver when it comes to writing papers and organizing all the content you'll be using along the way, especially since most of your textbook resources are electronic now. My husband gave me an extra display he had and I just use it to plug into my Mac via a USB-C. So you might consider just getting an inexpensive display to do that. It seemed excessive to me, but I find it invaluable. Good luck! You didn't ask, but let me tell you about other free or inexpensive applications that have worked for me to organize PDF textbooks and lecture slides/notes: Notability (for lecture content/notetaking, drawing anything), Flexcil (used for my PDF textbook and journal article library), and I use Evernote to organize all of my assignment to-dos and weekly to-do list.

Again, I know it's really tough to wait you guys but you need to trust that several of you here on this forum will get notifications for invites, historically that has always been the case. The application to any program is part of this entire process to achieve your goal, but it's just the first part of a marathon. Remaining patient is a necessary quality in an SRNA. I'm sure you'd rather that any program do a thorough review than rush the evaluation and consideration of YOUR application too.

Sadly, I don't have a lot of inside information regarding how many interviews are being offered, as the pool of applicants has increased quite a bit year over year. Just remember if you're waiting currently, you put your best foot forward and there's nothing you can do now but just be patient!

Hang in there guys! I know it's rough to wait, I'm a third year student and the Spring term just wrapped on Friday AND they're organizing the NA2 cadaveric regional anesthesia camp to start next week, so I'm sure preparations are keeping everyone busy this time of year. Just keep working and saving those $$$, enjoy the Summer!

Yep, NOVA-based NA2 here and I worked full time through July of first year and allowed myself to have a few weeks off to relax before Fall term started. This is very doable and the administration encourages it! It really does help develop time management skills that you will need as you move forward in the program and are required to be on campus and progress into the OR. I also know some of us still pick up shifts PRN at our prior gigs every now and then (sometimes holidays, weekends and on our short breaks). Bedside nursing staffing is still so tenuous, you'd be surprised how many places you can stay on and work very minimally and they're happy to have you!

Hey all, current VCU NA2 here wanted to chime in and let you know that I know it’s so tough to play the waiting game. Additionally, we have our cadaveric regional anesthesia anatomy camp coming up this week starting on Sunday so several faculty members will be out of town with us until Thursday. Not sure how this may or may not impact any further interview invites (I have no info on that), but just keep your heads down, work (or vacay if you’d like) and save that $$$! Mock interviews are a great idea, there are a few SRNAs out there in the world that do them to make a bit of extra cash. If VCU is still doing one-way recorded interviews I can definitely tell you it’s awkward but not too bad, honestly. I’m not sure if they had changed the format much since we’re in a bit of COVID lull (relatively speaking). Good luck, try not to stress too much! Just day by day strengthen your candidacy at all programs.

Yeah, so I’m not going to rebut this statistic, it is very evident. But, I think it should never be a deterrent for someone to try to progress through this goal if they want it. Do I feel that older SRNAs are less able to handle the rigors of school and academic success just based on sheer will or brainpower? No. I wonder if those who are chosen in these later ages are also encountering interpersonal struggles like marriages and growing children, which younger SRNAs may not have to manage concurrently. It’s hard to tell what the causes are, but I’m here to tell you that it’s not impossible. I was 40 when I started and I’ll be 43 when I graduate. I never allowed age to deter me and I addressed it specifically in my interview and what I had done to prepare for success, including the support system in my life to help me through. I would also add that schools who are unilaterally focused on pass rates that place so much emphasis on the perceived or actual age of the candidate without seeing the holistic value of the person sitting in front of them…should be bypassed completely.

Just anecdotally, last year we received our offers of admission to accept/decline via email on 6/3, which included a link to other items you may need to do to satisfy documentation for the graduate school (official transcripts, GRE scores etc.) Then, you may wait for a looooooong period of time to get anything more about what to expect from the NA admin. Don't worry, they just want you to relax and enjoy this time before you get amped up to start in January. Use these remaining months to work/save $$$, vacation, and just live life. They do an outstanding job of easing you in to this life in the first two terms, it'll come with time.

Regarding your questions above about GPA, GRE and critical care setting, I recommend the following, and would do so for any CRNA program, actually. Your GPA is on the lower end of acceptable, but you can augment with a competitive GRE score (> 310) and I would consider taking graduate nursing courses (Biostatistics, Research Methods) if possible. I took my graduate courses at University of Maryland since they offer two classes as Coursework Only (without enrollment), but be prepared to pay $$$. Yes, you absolutely need to be working in a critical care environment, this is hard stop and I wouldn’t recommend applying anywhere without recent critical care experience. You’ll need recommendations from critical care clinicians and your best bet to do so is your work environment. Programs would probably look at your former experience and wonder, “why isn’t this person in an ICU now?” You could always take your chance and apply now, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I’d take at least a year to work on one or more aspects of your application and then go for it. I started this year and I’m 41, I wouldn’t let age deter you if that is a consideration. Good luck!

Any updates guys!? Soon for you I hope? We're just wrapping up Spring term today and I'm thinking of you!

Since we interviewed during the first surge of COVID, our interview model and medium may be different than what they are offering to you all this year. What I can say is the same advice I offer to all CRNA applicants as they ready themselves for interviews for all programs, including: be ready to speak to why you are good fit for the respective program, speak to your background as a critical care nurse, your patient population, diagnoses, medications used, leadership and/or research involvement. What else do you have know about how nurse anesthetists fit into anesthesia delivery in this country? Have you delved into that background and current events/topics? For any program, if you are offered an interview you have already met the requirements and you are considered a strong candidate. I look at the interview as the last opportunity you have to showcase who you are a person. I conducted mock interviews with nurse colleagues and also SRNAs so I could be more comfortable with the experience and calm my nerves, but that's just me. I would highly encourage it. ?

Hey all, I'm a current first year etpDNAP student and am excited for all of you guys. I know that that the app process can be very stressful, but you've done your best and now it's time to relax a bit, try to distract yourselves and enjoy life while you wait to hear back for interview opportunities. Work and save as much as you can while staying sane so you can be financially prepared for school when the time comes! Good luck and be yourselves come interview time. ?

I feel like this person either: A) Stayed logged in at work and someone posted this ridiculous testimonial on their behalf on a legit account, or B) Resident trolling for reactions. Hard to tell ??

JHSON NA is featured in the current issue of the Maryland Nurse Journal (put out by the MNA), on page 12. Just posting for anyone who might be interested. https://www.nursingald.com/publications/2146

Good luck all, they are an excellent faculty!

I'm sure you'll have more candidates who will join you in applying and join your discussion for this years application cycle, VCU just had an odd application timeline that seems to be months apart from most schools. In terms of advice, simply: you need to demonstrate that you're a well-rounded candidate, if you have deficits in your application such as science GPA or undergrad GPA, address it directly. VCU seems to appreciate and seek those who have a clear path and goals after graduation and what you plan to do after you graduate and start practicing as a nurse anesthetist. Good luck!

Yes, I was in the position and actually withdrew from a program in the middle of my first week after finding out I was accepted to my first choice program that was scheduled to start months later (was shocked, honestly.) It was hard to word, but I was honest with them and they were able to fill my position with another student quickly. Program directors and faculty don't take it personally, but as the field is a rather small community, be professional and direct.

I feel like @loveanesthesia and @BigPappaCRNA should chime in here. I would say, absolutely not. Neither would matter to me. Those two categories don't guarantee that they produce a well-prepared CRNA.

Awesome, second time is the charm! You earned it!

Hey, for those who are waitlisted just wanted to share that they are asking for decisions from those who are accepted by May 15th, so they will be working down the waitlist pretty quickly, thankfully.

USN&WR rankings should not be a consideration. The factors that determined why you applied to programs such as clinical hours/cases acquired historically, board pass rates, attrition, testimonials from current/former students are the factors that I would focus on. I never considered Penn for this reason...pure insanity if you ask me. "36 month program costs (34 CU program): $218,595" Congratulations on your acceptances though! Perhaps I'll see you at VCU!