Bunny Bear

Awesome! Congratulations! I am thinking about applying to Samford in order to start next January. Also considering applying to UAB, but hate to wait over a year to start CRNA school. Do you have any suggestions on gaining acceptance into either program? I am worried about my GPA and GRE scores. How was the interview process? Thanks!

Hi all. I have been interested in applying to CRNA school since before I went to Nursing School- in fact, that is why I went to Nursing School. It has just taken me 9 years to actually get to the point of applying and I am curious on your thoughts of whether or not I am a competitive applicant for the Ida B. Moffett program in Birmingham, Alabama. I am not sure of my overall GPA. I goofed around at LSU for three years (1993-1996) and I think my GPA is around a 2.6 ( mainly C's and D's for science). As for my nursing pre-req's (including my A&P's), I got all A's. For my ADN degree, I received A's and B's, and finally for the remaining classes in order to complete my BSN, I earned all A's. I received a combined GRE of 1080 and am not sure what I scored on my Analytical Writing as of yet. As for experience, I did 8 months of SICU and then moved out of the country. I ended up returning home, fairly quickly, an did a number of 4-8 week contracts in SICU/CICU. I spent 2004-2006 in a Neuro Intensive Care Unit before moving to Alabama. So now, I am working in an area that has vents and the occasional Dopamine drip, but is not considered Critical Care. I do not belong to any professional organizations and have little volunteer experience since college. So that's it in a nutshell. What do y'all think? Any suggestions on becoming a more competitive applicant? THANKS!

Thanks CardioTrans! It is so good to know that others have had a good experience with this program! It is such a big decision to go back to school and then to decide which school to attend is important, too. The three days don't sound so bad. Thanks for all of your responses!!

Hey. Thanks for the info.! I completed my BSN through The University of Wyoming and the supportive staff made all of the difference. Good luck with clinicals!

I am interested in the UAB on-line FNP program. Is there anyone who can give me some info on it? I know UAB is a leading school, but am curious about the on-line program. Does it adequately prepare students to work as an FNP? Is the staff supportive and available to students? Also, how is the interview process? Thanks!

I think it is absolutely wonderful that you have the opportunity to work in Neuro-ICU. In my opinion, NICU is not only the most fun and exciting place a nurse can work, but one of the most rewarding. This clinical will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will prove beneficial. The other responses have wonderful suggestions on preparing for NICU. I agree that it is perfectly normal to be nervous. In fact, I still get nervous from time to time. Just remember, you are still a student. You will never be alone in taking care of these patients. Take advantage of that and ASK QUESTIONS! Ask to participate in as many procedures as possible. Other nurses won't mind if you help if something interesting is going on with their patients. Be hands on. The more you do, the less nervous you will become and the more you will learn. Be sure to learn about drips and titration. Ask what is going on physiologically, i.e.: Why are the blood pressures being kept so high? Why is it important to keep temps low? Most of all... Have Fun!!!! I have a feeling you'll want to work there once you graduate! J

Ok y'all, I need any advice you can give on which direction to take my nursing career. I have had the hardest time with making this decision. Choice #1: CRNA School Choice #2: FNP School Just a bit of background info: I went to nursing school in the first place to go to CRNA School. The hospital required one year of med-surg prior to transferring to ICU, which is what I did. After only eight months in an SICU, my husband and I moved for him to start med school. During the first two years, I was able to do occasional 4-8 week contracts in a CICU. We moved again in 2004, where up until May of 2006, I worked in a neuro-intensive care unit for two years. I have not worked since then. I am 31 and we are trying to start a family. Can you go to CRNA School, be a good spouse/parent and maintain good grades? Anyway, my dilemma is which way to go- CRNA or FNP. I know that despite being in Critical Care for some time, I still get very nervous with extremely sick patients and often ask other nurses for their opinions in matters (I know that CRNA's need to be confident and have the ability to act immediately in critical situations). Also, I lack code experience, as we rarely had codes in NICU. Not to mention that the next class starts in Fall 2008 (if I get in). Also, we live over an hour from the program. The clinical aspect can be completed in my home town hospital. Furthermore, I have not belonged to any nursing organizations nor have I done any volunteer work since college. Does this weigh heavily on admission selections? My understanding is that CRNA School is extremely competitive. As for being a nurse practitioner, the next class starts in Fall 2007 and is online; clinicals are done in the home town. My husband would finish his residency around the same time I would complete the FNP program. Most likely, I would then work with him. Is it crazy that this is such a hard decision? I know that the pro's to being a CRNA are not only the great salaries, but the multitude of available jobs, not to mention the 96% job satisfaction (isn't that correct?). Nurse practitioners, for the same amount of time spent in school make much less and the job market has dwindled (in the case that I did not work with my husband). Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I completed the online RN-BSN program through The University of Wyoming in 2004. It took me about a year and a half while working full time. I was able to complete the clinical component (one semester) in my home town with a preceptor. The instructors were incredible and worked very closely with the students. They went above and beyond anything I could have imagined. It was actually a much better experience than my ADN program. I do not remember the exact cost of the program, but it was certainly much less than $29,500. Good luck in your search!