beedog13

Wow, I had not checked this thread for awhile... A year or so out from finishing at UC I would say that my experience more than adequately prepared me for my job as a CRNA. I was indeed ready to go from day #1. I am privileged to do airway/anesthesia training with medical students and ER residents and have a great track record of success with both. I have met challenges that I am not sure other programs would have granted me adequate preparational exposure to the way my UC experience did--though I mostly hated it as I experienced it. But, anesthesia school is hard; period. Now, I have quite a bit of autonomy and I LOVE my job as a CRNA. Then again, I LOATHED nearly every day as a CRNA student. I am a great team member/co-worker and at least a good junior CRNA. To say the least, in my year-old professional life, as many students have done in the past--I have mostly done UC proud. However, as a result of MY personal experiences--the level of disrespect I encountered countless times as a student at UC, I am quite careful to treat MY preceptees with the respect that THEY deserve. I never learned anything from anyone who tried to make me feel worse about not doing the job I more so expected of MYSELF--I doubt making others feel more inadequate than they already do when they don't get it right the first time is of any benefit--in fact, it is quite shameful. Most people who choose anesthesia as a career are their own worst critics--this can often be lost on staff CRNA's who consider students lower than gum on the tread of their shoes. This has been a tradition for some time at UC, but could be changing with new blood in the leadership of the program. I think alot of what should go through the mind of a prospective student pertains to "fit." You most certainly do not need to be some ultra type "A" personality who likes to quantify your success in the failure of others to be a good CRNA. You also don't need to look good in a size 5 dress to be a good CRNA. I was definitely not the most ideal fit for UC (unfortunately much of it was circumstantial in terms of what life dealt me during those 27 months--issues I had never had before and have never had since--bad luck of sorts), but I survived. If you are considering a school strictly from a geographical standpoint, think again. You need to fit. I'm sure every program has its own challenges, but you should not get slammed to the turf on a regular basis for a different but reasonable learning curve or labeled as a miscreant when "life happens" to you and you need to put something ahead of "the program" from time to time. It was curious to see how certain issues could cause certain students to be dismissed (or less than politely asked to resign) while equally/more serious errors in judgement/character were seemingly swept under rug for others...and how the crosshairs of dismissal seem to be trained upon at least one student at all times--normally one with an X and a Y chromosome. Again, you too will come out of UC as a competent anesthesia provider if you manage to cross the finish line. Just make sure you think you are a fit.

Congrats!

I am a recent UC grad. I would say that I may share some of your friend's sentiments. That being said, most of my didactic was strong--there are a few instructors who are not that great in class. Clinical is a very mixed bag. UC has traditionally accepted girls 3:2 over guys. Men are pretty close to half of the CRNA workforce--do the math on the gender bias potential. Now some of this may be improving. One of the best class/clinical instructors is the new asst. director--she has great ideas and I think will help change the face of a program that has not changed much in a long time. But UC is very tough if you have a family. You have to weigh it out. My class has made a very strong showing on the certification exam--we must have learned something the right way. I bet there are more friendly environments elsewhere to be sure. Beedog

I just graduated from UC in Dec. 2010. I had not taken physics since high school and took the chemistry required for nurses during my BSN--chem/physics is not that bad in CRNA school. All of what you have planned sounds very good. Your ICU is a good kind of ICU. I will advise you that while UC is a good program rankings-wise and that our former director (who is a past pres. of the AANA) currently the top-dog in the AANA (executive director), UC is a fairly malignant program with alot of caustic personalities--it was hardly a fun 27 months. I am sure many other programs are the same. If you are a guy (I am), I will advise you that UC has traditionally accepted women over men in a 3:2 ratio--that may be changing. The CRNA workforce is pretty close to 50/50. Do the math. The clinical experiences are very good. That being said, we have a new program director and more importantly a new asst. director; they have re-vamped the interview process--much of what you may find on here that was not from the 2010 interviews may well be null and void. A good GRE score may get you a scholarship (you will be hard pressed to find that anywhere else). The cost of attendance is not bad. Cincinnati is a cheap place to live. They like out-of-town applicants right now. The job market in Cincinnati is very tight right now--they don't want to flood this market. I think being where you are from is a help. Get back at me with any other questions. I am taking the certification exam within the next 2 weeks so I am in study mode--may take awhile for me to reply. B-dog

I am a recent CRNA school grad. The key is to start working in an ICU as soon as possible. Get your CCRN. If you can become an ACLS instructor etc. it helps. Start educating yourself about what CRNA's do and read posts on here to prepare yourself for interviews, how to choose references, and what types of things to write in a goal statement that most programs require as part of the application. Start learning about different programs: when they start, application deadlines, cost of attendance, cost of living, class sizes, and program design(front-loaded vs. integrated). Only take classes that programs require. Better to get an "A" in a chem class that will work vs. a "B" in one geared more toward pre-med etc. The chem and physics in CRNA school are not hard. I think any kind of volunteer work looks good. I had one year in the ICU when I applied and about two when I started school. Do the best you can on the GRE. Hello, I am currently a traditional student in my second year of college. I have applied to 6 nursing schools to hopefully begin this fall (Aug 2011). There are only two I really want to get into, and will be crushed if I don't.. But that's besides the point. I want to get my BSN and go on to become a CRNA. I know the CRNA programs are extremely competitive, but I am ready to handle that and work my hardest in my BSN to get the best GPA and recommendations I can. I am looking for some advice on what classes I should take during my undergrad that would help in my application to CRNA programs (some say they like physics and more chems than what is required.. things like this) and what jobs/extra curricular things I can do to better make my application stand out? I cannot work as a nurse yet, since I am still a student, so I am wondering what jobs are out there that are medically related and will look good for my application that don't require a degree yet? What are the average GPA's for most of the CRNA programs? (if you are a CRNA currently, what was your GPA and previous work experience?) Also, If I wanted to apply to a CRNA program with only 1-2 years of experience in ICU (I know they suggest 2-3 and +) what are the chances I could be accepted, provided my GPA is high enough? Did anyone you know or you possibly have little experience when you applied to the CRNA program? B-dog I am looking for any help and advice I can get on this topic. I would like to start ahead on working towards making my application stand out and having experience in other areas as well, but am lost as where to start. Thank you to anyone who can help!

Good rationale for choice. I am graduating from UC's program in a little over a week.

Jump, UC senior student with 5 months left to go here. I took the basic chem included in my BSN. No physics. My GRE was like 1050-ish. No CCRN. No committee time. ICU time was same as yours. Chem/Physics in CRNA program was hard but do-able if you study. I know it has been super competitive the last few years at UC. I had alot of military experience, maybe that helped. I personally think it is a crap shoot from year to year what they are looking for. You need to pick at least two alternative programs for a total of 3 apps. I moved across country to come here. Keep trying and you will get in somewhere. I encourage you to apply. Word to the wise...these two years have easily been the toughest of my life hands down. CRNA school is no joke--everyone is quite smart and skilled. Just keep at it and find a few programs that best match what you have already without having to add too many Xmas ornaments to your portfolio. Good luck! Beedog

Natasha, As previously stated, there may well be contracts out there in the Cincinnati market, but they can be few and far between. I have classmates who have gotten them from B North, Good Sam, and UC (UC once they were in the program). The market in Cincinnati is fairly flooded and the groups in town know they can offer less as demand gives way to an increased labor supply. Alot of older CRNA's who are/were close to retiring and choosing to work to make up for what they lost in their retirement accounts since the downturn of the economy. Some have even come out of retirement to work a bit more. That will change over time, but this has been cyclical in the CRNA profession for aeons. You may just need to expand your horizons as the need is still fairly great in many underserved parts of the country. Beedog

Johnson, I am in UC's program and have about 6 months to go. There is plenty of info available searching these threads on the interview process...I posted alot myself...search and find it. I the idea of a pre-programmed attrition rate is far-fetched, however, there are going to be people who have health/life/academic issues that fall through the cracks in any program...it just happens. We started with 28-29 and have lost 4 from my class. The class behind me has lost 3...10-15% is not unreasonable. That being said, they normally extend every opportunity to come back the nest year and it depends on the circumstances. As for the clinical hours: There is no limit and there are times when the academic responsibilities and clinical time conflict with each other--you just have to manage it--no BS, it is hard. There has only been one rotation where I felt like I was used as staff and/or thrown to the wolves, alas the "ologist" was a phone call away and always present for induction and emergence. When you start full-time clinicals (the 4th qtr) it is not uncommon to work 40-55 hours/week...I do not think I have gone over 60. I doubt that differs much from any program. With 2 quarters left, I feel like my level of training meets or exceeds where I should be with a Dec. 2010 graduation. It is a strong program and is usually ranked 10th or 11th out of over 100 in the country. CRNA school is hard. Everyone is smart. The expectations are high. You just have to rise to the occasion. Hope that helps.

Hi, I am a second year UC CRNA student. That should mean you are in...you will get the official letter (along with the list of 10,000 things you need to do prior to Fall 2010) this month. Good luck. PM for advice or questions. You will be assigned a mentor in the spring sometime--they will be getting in touch about the same time you get info on plans for the picnic/party to welcome new students in AUG/SEPT next year. Beedog

I gradauate in Dec. 2010...the day defore I turn 40... Beedog13

Eileen, I like my program just fine. I am sure they are all challenging in their own ways--many the same...some different. While my didactic instruction has been pretty good, I feel the clinicals and the design of the program are really the main selling points. You get in the OR early and start doing your own cases during the second qtr. How many other schools even offer scholarships? Your peds rotation is at the busiest peds OR in the US. The program director is a past pres of the AANA. Housing is very reasonable here--we came out of a pricey market in Salt Lake City, UT. The students in my class range from mid-twenties to a few over 40. with the average being closer to 30-ish. Good luck, B

Eileen, I am a first year student at UC. Your GRE may well land you a 60%-ish scholarship, but I heard recently that they are re-looking at the current policy of using the GRE as an exclusive tool to award those scholarships--keep your ear to the ground it may change. I personally don't like the current policy, but then again I did not get a 1242 on the GRE. I landed the scholarship for the 2nd and 3rd Qtrs. of my first year with a substantially lower score than yours. Contracts are a sticky deal-- be careful--do your homework. You can usually find about $1000/month for a 2 year commitment and some of my classmates have gone that route, but it is not like it was in years past for the Cincy market. I have heard of groups in Dayton and Columbus doing them too. Most try to structure the monthly amount like it is a loan so you don't pay taxes on it 'til you are working later after school. I am doing the Army Reserve Specialized Training Assistance Program (STRAP), which is about $1900/month for an 8-year hitch in the Reserves. There is some other money that goes with that, but it varies alot on a case by case basis. My short-term advice is to exhaust the loan options before you--up to and including private loans before you commit to working anywhere; alot can change in 27 months of school.

Wow, That is a great tool for anyone looking into CRNA school. I it had been available when I was applying in 2007. B-dog

Focker, I am in the last qtr. of my first yr. in a good program. You do not get to choose which GPA they will look at--they are going to look at everything and there is no hiding from any past academic transgressions--they are going to get every transcript and if they don't, you may not even make it to an interview. That being said, don't let that get you down, man! Fortunately, every school has its own formula and most don't care so much what you did as freshman with some different major etc. They tend to look mostly at what you have done over the last two years and how things have gone in sciences in particular. You can make yourself shine brighter with a good GRE score and good interviewing skills. Another good suggestion would be to take a graduate course or 2 with an "A" to show for it. The Xmas ornaments of CCRN, ACLS Instructor, blah blah all help too. Keep the faith and just do the best you can. Good luck!!! B-dog