alpRN

I knew that I wanted to be a CRNA when I was a junior in highschool. I began shadowing a CRNA the summer before my senior year and spent a month completing a research project with an anesthesiologist my senior year in high school. I choose to start with an ADN for financial reasons and it also allowed me to gain experience while I am working towards my BSN. This will also allow me to have the experience requirements to take the CCRN exam which I plan to do this summer. Most anesthesia schools really look highly upon CCRN certification. Also, I would recommend looking at some prerequisites for anesthesia programs. Many nursing degrees do not require chemistry courses, but most CRNA programs have chemistry courses for admission requirements. If you know theses requirements, you can plan your course of study accordingly.

I did email the school that I am applying to (Mountain State University). I posted this before they responded. They said that unless I was really dissatisfied or applying to multiple schools that I did not need to retake the GREs.

I took the GREs this morning and would like some opinions as to whether or not I should retake the GRE. I scored an 1100. I did fairly well on the quantitative (700) but rather poor on the verbal (400). Here is my other background: GPA 3.82 Sciences: All As except A&P I (b) which I took in high school. At this point I have taken physics, general chemistry 1 and 2. I am registered for organic chemistry in the fall with organic chemistry 2 and biochemistry in the spring. Experience: 1.5 years on a Thoracic Surgery Unit (We are 1/2 ICU and 1/2 PCU, but I had my unit approved by the school I want to go to and I focus on ICU.) Extra: I volunteer at a free clinic in my area and in the big brother big sisters program. Should I retake the GREs? Do you have any additional suggestions to improve my chances of getting accepted into CRNA school?

Thanks for your suggestions. I do actually work in a level I trauma center that is a teaching hospital. I wanted to do a dual major (BSN and Biochemistry), but my hospital is paying for my BSN and won't pay for the extra biochem courses. Knowing that CRNA school is going to be so expensive, I don't want to put my financial resources towards this degree.

I graduated with my ADN in May '07 and am currently working on my RN-BSN. I will have completed physics I, general chemistry I and II, organic chemistry I and II, and biochemistry I by the time I graduate (May '09). I am working in a mixed unit. We have ICU and PCU patients on the same floor, but I try to take the ICU as much as possible. I would like to go straight into CRNA school after my BSN but I will only have approximately 2 years of experience. What are my chances of getting in?