ICUnursetoCRNA

Don't lose hope! You sound like a great candidate. In an interview, they will ask you about your grades 10 years ago. Tell them what you told us, and then you grew up, worked your tail off, and made a 4.0 in nursing school. That shows maturity, etc. I bombed (not exaggerating) my first year of college. Just apply to several schools, keep your options open, and you will find where you fit. Just don't give up. I started CRNA last week :) P.S. Did you do your ADN in SD? I went to Palomar.

I did the Kaplan review book. I made a 1050, and still got in. On my first interview. My school has an essay score requirement, so don't blow that part off. The interview was the main component for my program, I think. Good luck.

Not at all! Just focus on the baby steps :) My two year ADN program felt like it would never end, but time really does just fly by. And the next 10 years will pass whether you pursue your goal or not. Good luck!

Do they want a resume or CV? A CV is geared toward professional education, and there is a lot of info out there on writing one.

I work at a level 1 also, and there are people going from surg -trauma (my unit), several from the medical, one from the neuro, and Im not sure about cardiac. My school asked questions based on what they felt I should know. If you can work in ST, you can work in any unit. Good luck :)

Since you really want to do L & D, have you looked at being a nurse midwife? They are on the same level as a CRNA, just on a different end LOL. There are so many options out there. Anesthesia isn't for everyone, but if its what you love, then yes its worth it. I work with many nurses who have no desire to do anesthesia. Keep an open mind about what you want. I went to school to be a L&D nurse, and almost passed out in that rotation. I found my nitch in Trauma. You'll find yours too! Good luck in nursing school!

1.) Yes they are hard. Very hard. Imagine going to medical school is approx. 28 months. 2.) No you won't have time for your girlfriend. Ask my husband, he sees me leaving, and coming home. Its part of the sacrifice. 3.) CRNAs are compensated based on what they do. The put people to sleep, and keep them alive while the surgeon is doing everything that should stop it. Its a high stress job, and peoples lives are in your hands. However, its very rewarding, and I've never met a CRNA that doesn't love there job. 4.) High school grades don't count, which you will soon find out in the college world. You just need to do well enough to get in to nursing school. The only grades that count are college grades, so do really well in your sciences, nursing classes, and pre-reqs. I didn't take a single AP class in H.S. Enjoy that time. 5.) Yes, there are specific schools for CRNA, you can check the website at www.AANA.com. Each school has their list of requirments. Understand that you have to be a nurse before you can be a CRNA(thats the whole RN is there). CNRA is a wonderful profession, and best of luck on your quest! :nuke:

Applied to : Gooding Institute: interviewed-- accepted. Start August 2008.:yeah: Samford University: withdrew app. after acceptance to Gooding.

PACU is not usually one of the areas considered for CRNA school, or at least not my program. Check at the schools you are interested in applying to. You sound like your experience is already great though.

That seems like an awful lot of time and money to waste if you don't want to be a nurse. Be a teacher, it will save you a lot of time. Being a CRNA is a nurse that administers anesthesia. Your still a nurse.

Where did you teach? Just curious, I went to school in SD and just wondering if we know each other :)

That used to be the case. I did my ADN in San Diego, CA, and the WHOLE COUNTY was considered underserved. Check into it, it could be an option.

I wore a very nice suit (Ann Taylor), with a white button down. The two gentlemen interviewing the day I did wore 3 piece suits, so look the part. My friend who wore a sweater and dress slacks was told she was not dressed appropriately. BTW, I got in :)

By the Kaplan book! I made a 1040, and got accepted to my first choice school, on my first interview. Its NOT all about numbers, I promise!!!

Kix, Check out the schools that you are interested in, and they will tell you EXACTLY what they want. You can find a list of the accredited programs here: http://webapps.aana.com/AccreditedPrograms/accreditedprograms.asp?ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=222&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=5&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetID=223&ucNavMenu_TSMenuTargetType=5&ucNavMenu_TSMenuID=6 The program I applied to requires actual ICU experience, no OR, PACU, or ER experience counts. I didn't even consider CRNA when I graduated from school, but after working in STICU, I found it really fit my personality/work type. Find what you like, then focus on becoming an APN in that field. If you love L&D, become a midwife, etc. Good luck to you on whatever you choose! :twocents: