Burnt2

Yea they postponed the changes.

just check out books from your library. they all come with practice cds. no need to spend $$ on it.

Like swans and LVADs, (IMO) it helps you get a really good grip on understanding hemodynamics; especially in patients in cardiogenic shock. its a learning tool - its about advancing your knowledge of human physiology. Organ/coronary perfusion, workload, resistance, etc etc etc. Also, if you're proficient at these things, it doesn't hurt to put on your resume that you're experienced with them. More bonus points during grad school interviews.

your GPA is fine GPA will help you get an interview, but in my opinion really its how you spend your time in the ICU that matters to them. Stuff like the CCRN, experience with balloon pumps, swans/hemodynamics, drugs, critical thinking etc. If you work hard, it will reflect well on you in the interview.

Your GPA is excellent; if you pass the CCRN you will have no problems getting into a school. Many schools don't even require the GRE if your GPA is above a certain level. The fact that you are from outside of the US, speak a different language, etc are actually GREAT advantages over other applicants.

wow haha

I would tend to agree. I read rage's link, i'm not so sure that ARNP can be used to imply that the CRNA could then switch over and work ED as a nurse practitioner. From what I got from that ARNP/APN is a broad term used to describe all APNs, under which NP's and CRNA's fall together, as rage stated. However, i would imagine that nurse practitioners have a different skillset to deal with their patient population. There is some crossover, but not a whole lot.

its an excuse I used and it can come back and bite you in the butt if you're looking for an advanced degree. Stats is hard until you realize it's basic algebra cloaked in important sounding names. You'll do fine, don't sweat it.

hey foreverLaur, my undergrad was a BSN - for the first few years I really didn't put much effort into school, so my GPA was Once I decided to go to CRNA school I took 12 credits of graduate human physiology classes, got a 4.0. I didn't do a graduate degree. Absolutely you could do it. your GPA is fine, especially if you get the 3.8-4.0. do extra stuff like your CCRN, hospital committees, etc. If you want it bad enough, you'll get in. BSN programs are easier than you think to get into. Especially since you already have a psych degree, i don't think it will be hard for you to get into an accelerated program. Like you said, just focus on getting better grades in undergrad.

Take a shot at med school. you've got all the prerequisites, might as well study for a month or so and give a go at the MCAT. You could do the CRNA thing. A guy I work with is a RRT, but he got his nursing ADN, and is now currently getting his acute care nurse practitioner license. So it's definitely feasible - you'd just have to do a bachelors-MSN bridge course, which MANY schools offer. 3 years to get a BSN, i'm guessing. 1 year of ICU experience. Then CRNA school. I can't speak about AA's because I know nothing about them.

Thanks for the responses, guys. Thats the plan for right now...Case Western's FNP program is online, so I'd be able to do it and work at Cleveland Clinic as a CRNA (or so I hope, anyways)

I did every weekend commitment

Both PA and NP are great choices, and from what I understand in actual clinical practice there isn't that much difference between the two (although I think this has been debated ad nauseum). In this day and age, I think there is more of a sense of symbiosis between docs and nurses, at least in the ICUs where I work. We have a lot of autonomy, and if you're looking for it you'll have a chance to use your brain every shift, and expand your knowledge. I don't know about floor nursing, i've never done it.

Just wondering. I'm starting an MSN CRNA school next year....since the core nursing classes transfer I was thinking about getting my FNP after the CRNA. The reason is, my wife and I are going to be working for an NGO in Africa or possibly Haiti long term/career after I graduate , and I'd like to be as flexible as possible.

I agree with you 100%. The problem is, DNP's are being sold as physician equals (which is the impression anyone who reads that article will get), when clearly DNP's are not when it comes to true clinical practice. So either they need to promote the DNP in a different light, or back up the "medical knowledge of a physician with the skills of a nurse" claim by offering the medical/clinical classes.