RooneyRN

I don't know what the format will be like this year since our program director changed and she is wanting to try some different things. Know your vasoactive drugs, know the ones you use, don't B.S. them if you don't know because they will know you are lying. Just be honest if you don't know something. know your drugs, swan numbers what you would do with certain values, are they hypovolemic, overloaded, etc...know your ABGs values, what they mean metabolic, respiratory, and how you would treat it. Just your basic interview questions nothing crazy and they are pretty friendly. Good luck

I have a Mac book and I love it. I haven't had any problems with uploading my power point to windows. If you haven't already, go into an Apple store, they can give you a rundown and show you how compatible they are with windows. I haven't had any problems with compatibility.

Well I took the GRE, a distance learning physics class, my PALS, ATCN, CCRN, and a open heart class in the last year while applying and interviewing at 4 schools all out of town. I also planned my wedding, got married during that time ad went on a honeymoon, then moved across country for school. This has been all in the last 15 months of so. Can you do it yes, will it be hard yes but school is going to be really hard. Organization is key. School is the hardest thing that I have ever done but it really worth it. I would plan a goal to apply for next year and get as much done. Apply even if you still have to take a certification or are still finishing up a science class. If you apply and are granted an interview, you might not have to take that last science class. Or you might interview and not get accepted but now you have that experience of interviewing and know what you need to prepare for a little bit better. I used the CDs for the CCRN by some lady. I listened to them on the way to work every day for a month and then took it. You need like an 85/150 so you can miss a lot and still pass. It is heavily focused on CVICU so if you do that it will be pretty easy. But the tapes are good and really prepare you for the test. I also bought PASS CCRN and I didn't really use it. It has a practice test CD and that is what it is good for. The book has some nice pictures but that is about it. Hope this helps. good luck!

If you are applying next year, you are probably giving yourself plenty of time. I took the GRE and I got the Kaplan review books, a computer program that was pretty helpful and had practice tests, and a review math book by either KAplan/Princeton review. I made lots of vocabulary flash cards with the words in sentences that seemed to have helped. I did have to retake any of my sciences because they were all fairly recent. I would look at the schools you are looking at, see what their requirements are and tailor a plan of what classes, certifications, and experiences. I would also try to get as much face time with the program directors to show that you are really interested in becoming a CRNA, by shadowing, or it they have conferences by going to those if available. I would also get your CCRN taken as soon as you can. A few of the schools asked why I didn't have it at the time, others did not but it looks good to have and it isn't as bad or hard especially compared to the GRE. Hope this helps. Good luck! quote=JTT123;2424844]I am just getting started with my MICU career after being an RN for 10 years. I do have 1 year ICU experience from about 3 years ago, but did not get to see too much in the way of swans. I am very intersted in becoming a CRNA and have aspired to do so for the last 3-4 years, but kids, and married life have pushed my efforts to the back burner until NOW!! I am so excited to finally be on the track to CRNA. I need to take my sciences over because they are outdated, so that is my first step along with taking the GRE. Can someone please give me a few tips on how to prepare myself (books, interview, etc)as I would like to apply in 2008 to attend in 2009. Is this too soon??? Just trying to start the preparation immediately:idea:

I go to Webster. Webster is pretty well established and the class size is larger, 20 per year. It also prepares you really well in research so when you are ready to move on to the your doctorate, which we will all likely have to do, you have a good research background and you less classes to take for you doctorate. Or say they tell us. but I like Webster. It has a lot of clinical sites in the St. Louis area. Barnes- all clinicals are at BJC Hospital and Children's Hospital of St. Louis, which one might think is more limiting. I dunno. I like Webster, the people are nice, and the interview was much easier than Barnes. Our program is integrated, heavily based in sciences and research. So if you haven't taken any sciences classes in a few years, I would sign up for some ASAP. They really like people have a recent science courses. Also, all class conference is every first thursday of the month. Which is open to visitors, basically a conference for the students on a variety of topics. It gives future students a change to meet the program director and meet with other students. It is a good program, lots of work, but good experiences from it.

I would definetly retake them. Having gone through the interviewing process at 4 schools, two which are heaviy based in sciences, my first C in chemisty was questioned in my interview at both interviews. I retook chemistry and got As in both organic and inorganic. They look at your willingness and determination to get in. They understand that some of us had a good time in college but they want to know that you have matured and are willing to commit to the demands of graduate school I am currently in a program heavily based in sciences. I would retake the clases, you probably won't need another lab portion. Some schools including mine won't accept Ds.

Webster University, St. Louis

I would retake the some of the science classes if you think you will be able to get better grades now. I was originally a biology major and got Cs in classes for Bio and chemistry before I switched. I retook my chemistry courses and got As, and got As in all of my science courses required for nursing like Anatomy/Physiology, pathophysiology, etc. Some schools look at your science GPA, so anything you can do to increase this would help. Also, when they review your transcripts and see that you retook courses and did well they can see your motivation, excellent study skills, and ability to do well in these hard courses.