cnmtocrna

A friend of mine interviewed there last year. She said there were very few clinical questions if any, and that it was a get to know you kind of interview. I think they asked her what the last book she read was.... I do know that she was called a few days later and offered a spot, so that would argue for going early in the process. I took that approach with my interview, and I did receive a call the very next day.

If I am not mistaken, Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, CA offers early admission for students with high GPA/test scores. They allow some students to complete the non-clinical courses ahead of time -- it is all on the web site.

Not that someone didn't already say this, but....the feeling you got was nothing but a normal human reaction. I do believe that the terrorists are getting what they want when people watch and have this reaction - they are terrorizing millions of people in one shot. Personally, I do not understand why people subject themselves to it. It seems akin to inflicting pain on one's self - only physical pain passes. I would not want the images etched in my mind, the idea is horrific enough.

I have recently been there and done that - from midwife to icu nurse in a MSICU. It had been 14 years since graduating from undergrad program, and I felt very out of touch with bedside nursing in general. My strategy was to study on my own for a few months even before I started the ICU course that was offered. The course made more sense to me, as did the ICU in general. I got a book on hemodynamics and read it before setting foot on the unit, then kept it with me for reference. In terms of giving you more specific advice, I am a little unclear on what exactly your situation is. When you say you are having trouble with the pace, what exactly do you mean? Have you done a critical care course or any outside study? How long is your orientation supposed to be? What type of OB experience do you have? Labor and Delivery is a different pace than post-partum or mother-baby care units. My gut feeling is that you are just overwhelmed right now, but that it will get better if you stick it out. As far as hacking a CRNA position - you will have over two years of training - it's different than on the job learning. Best of luck.

I for one can attest to the fact that you have expressed more doubts than you have expressed exuberant self-confidence. Your test scores are in the stratosphere, I think some people may be a little envious, and they may be wondering why you are worrying at all about admission. Maybe for more personal stuff you should use the private message option. I almost quit posting here after someone accused me of pursuing anesthesia as a "hobby" because they had read in a previous post that I am married to a doctor. It really infuriated me, but I realized that it probably had more to do with that person's issues than with me. I mean, come on, I MARRIED him, I didn't merge with his being!!! Anyway, I won't go there. You are fine.

I've told you this before, and I'm going to tell you again....I know how you feel, I said the same exact things about not getting in, having a plan, CCRN, etc. However, you really don't have anything to worry about, you have a strong application with your grades, scores and experience - if you apply to 2 or 3 schools, you will get in, and then you will do fine. Let me know so I can tell you "I told you so" really, you will get in.

I also got accepted with less than a year in the ICU. I had 10 months at the time of my interview, and I will have completed 14 months at matriculation. I think each program is a little different, but it seems to be not unusual at all to be accepted during one's year of experience. I applied and was accepted to Duke for Jan. 2005.

Well, if they don't ask for GREs, then I guess they really can't even consider your score when comparing you with other applicants. So, it can't hurt to throw them in the envelope....Hmmmm....that's a real bummer because the score is so outstanding. I suppose it depends on the program. I would have been at a disadvantage at a school that valued many years of critical care experience over high GPA and scores. If the school you most want doesn't look at GREs, what do they look at? Hopefully choices B, C, and D consider the GREs!! My gut feeling is that you will get in. People acted like I was nuts to question whether I would be accepted to a program this year, but I did worry even though I knew my application was strong. I think I know how you feel at this moment. However, as I said, I think you will get in to all the programs you apply to, and your biggest dilemma will be having to chose which one to attend!! Keep us posted.

I just have to say....with your GRE score you will have little trouble getting accepted. I know scores aren't everything, but when they are that high they make you stand out as an applicant. My scores were quite similar and I was accepted on my first and only application. Incidentally, I have read that verbal scores are more predictive of success in graduate school. I agree that the "personal statement" in free form is much more daunting than one that is more specific. You will do fine. Good luck.

I recently completed my essay for my application (I was accepted), I sure empathize with you...it is agonizing. In my own experience with writing I have found that doing it in stages and having someone objective edit it are helpful strategies. What I mean by stages - outline it - just get your thoughts out without attention to form or style, then the rough draft - let it sit overnight or for a few days and then go back to it. You will be surprised how much stepping back and then coming back to it will help. When you think it is done, have someone who writes well edit it for you. The process may take hours - there is no short cut. I wasn't terribly pleased with my essay in that it didn't seem profound or particularly creative, BUT it did address the items that the application specifically requested. I felt it was solid and tried to remind myself that it was only one part of the application. I think most programs are looking for bright, curious and generally likeable people. It is hard to describe why you want to be a CRNA. I like what you said in your post about it - you could almost use that in your essay. What I really find attractive about the study and practice of anesthesia is that it combines science with patient care. Sit down and start writing without putting pressure on yourself to get it perfect right away. By reading your one paragraph post I can tell that you write well. Good luck to you, I hope I've offered something useful.

You have taken my reference to greed out of context. I was refering specifically to the issues between CRNAs and AAs. In Atlanta many CRNAs feel that the AAs have depressed the salaries. I'm not going to outline the whole thing for you here, you can read it if you want to, but you may have missed my point.

In reference to my recent post under "washington DC CRNAs," I will direct everyone's attention to the blatant GREED factor underlying this post. This post is also misleading. The hospitals here in Atlanta tend to give student loan reimbursement - this officially counts as INCOME. Maybe the base is 76,000, this sounds low to me. I think it is more like 90,000. There is all sorts of money to be had for hours worked over a standard shift, weekend, night call. As a midwife 60 hour weeks were standard with no extra for 24 hours straight, weekends, nights.....AND I had as many patients as there happened to be - maybe 2, maybe 7. In anesthesia, you get one patient at a time, guaranteed. Hmmm, no wonder the malpractice is so much less than what a midwife has to pay. After 11 years my top income was around $106,000. $90,000 plus loan repayment and overtime is really hard to hate for a starting salary. If your tastes require more money, hooray, you're a CRNA and you can drive up North and run your own show, make tons of money - the luxury of choice is all yours.

Would everyone please take a moment and get over yourselves!!! I am in Atlanta, there are AAs and CRNAs working beside each other every day. There are plenty of jobs. I have personally worked with all of them in my midwifery practice at Northside hospital where there are about 70 non-MD anesthesia providers. I have had surgery there myself and didn't think twice about having an AA intubate, induce, and monitor me. Now I work at St. Joes where there are a slew of AAs and PAs - they are bright and competent as a group. My uncle is an MDA and has worked with both, and has nothing but praise to offer. CRNAs do have more options and can practice more independently if they choose to do so. What a great reality that is if you think about it. When I say get over yourselves, what I am specifically getting at is that our egos are tripping us up over this. Guess what? This shouldn't be about our egos, this should be about providing safe, cost-effective care to patients. PLEASE save your arguements, I've heard them all and there are good points all over the place, however, what usually motivates people is GREED, LUST and FEAR. We won't get anywhere if we remain stuck by these primal influences. I think we should be respectful of one another and would be far better served if we create an alliance. To the CRNAs - think about how casually you muse about restricting or even eliminating AAs. Put yourselves in their shoes. They too worked their asses off to learn anesthesia. They didn't happen to be nurses first. So what? Yep, I've heard the arguements "nursing backround as the basis for administering anesthesia, " blah blah blah. I have worked with some SCARY dumb nurses. I have never met a dumb AA. They are not going to go away. Get used to it, get over it. Make the best of it.

Well, when I was in midwifery school a couple of women had babies along the way. In some ways school may be more flexible than a job when it comes to working around a pregnancy, delivery, recovery. You should be able to go back to classes after about a two week recovery from a lady partsl delivery, maybe three for c-section. In an uncomplicated pregnancy, you should be able to participate fully in the program up to delivery. In order to reduce your risks of complications be sure to eat very well and exercise most days. Walking briskly for 30 minutes will do the trick. I have cared for some anesthesiologists during my career and as far as I know the risks related to gas exposure are not a present day concern. Most importantly, do not feel as if you have to be apologetic for your pregnancy. Any guy in your program could procreate and hardly skip a beat in the SRNA endeavor. It sounds as if you will finish up when your baby is about 12-18 months. I think this is the best time to finish your education - kids are very portable as infants and require more sleep. Gather your support network, it really does take a village to raise a child. You will be so fortunate to be able to work part time and make excellent money...I think this balance makes most women the happiest. The other thing is that you may be at a little higher risk for post partum depression if your stress level is high during school. If you really feel out of whack, particularly if you have a lot of trouble sleeping and/or concentrating, or with anxiety, get treatment. Good luck!! Congrats!!

u-r-sleepy - u-r-right too. No question about it in my opinion. I am a midwife, currently working as an ICU nurse (loving it) and planning to go to CRNA school in 2005. I worked as a midwife for 11 years and paid my student loans off over 10 years, all the while accumulating assets. There are many better ways to spend your income than by paying off low interest student loans. To name a few - max out any pretax retirement plan, invest in IRAs - I did Roths - pay off higher interest loans like car, credit card, or even mortgages. invest in mutual funds, start education savings for your kids......Each year your salary should go up, at least a little, and your loan payment will seem smaller and smaller each year. Also, demonstrating that you make payments monthly, on time, over time looks really good to lenders. I am going to a post-master's program, will borrow the 18,500 a year or whatever it will be by then, and will pay for the rest with some of the money I saved and invested over the years - while paying my student loans off simultaneously.

I've been through graduate school and practiced 12 years as a midwife. My husband went to medical school and is an obstetrician. This is for Susanna - there are smart nurses and not so smart nurses, the same for doctors. There are the top in the class and the bottom....the barely squeek by with a low "B" types. My point is this...Your conscience will determine the degree of understanding you attain about any given thing. The knowledge is there for the taking - you can just get by if you choose, or you can challenge yourself. It doesn't end with school, it is an ongoing process.

My science courses are at least 14 years old - I graduated 14 years ago from my BSN - none of the programs I have investigated recommended that I retake any classes. It might make more sense to do so if your grades were not that great. I was able to get a job in the ICU without any experience other than labor and delivery and 11 years as a midwife. As my sister put it so eloquently "they're desperate."

The Philipines is where a lot of MD turned nurses come from. I heard a story on NPR about it. Even an average nursing salary in the U.S. is higher than that of a physician in the Philipines, thus the motivation for the docs to go to nursing school and come here to work. Like you said, it is wide open for nurses, but not so easy at all for MDs to come here to work. I don't think that many go for advanced degrees, but I could be wrong.

I have two parts to my response. 1- do not worry about it - I am a CNM and after 11 years am now an ICU nurse getting ready to apply to CRNA school. I am in the southeast. There are plenty of schools here that have post-master's options, and I have spoken to and visited some. My experience has not been looked down upon. They seem to be impressed that I have functioned successfully as an advanced practice nurse, and certainly know that I can handle the course work. I don't even have to take the GRE again at the schools I am applying to (4 schools). I know of other NPs and one CNM in anesthesia school. So do not worry. 2- I just have to say that it sounds as if you are playing down the whole FNP thing, as if it happend by accident or as you said it was just a "bonus." Well, I may not know much, but I do know what goes into becoming an FNP (clinical faculty for a program in atlanta for the ob/gyn component). Most people who go to grad school get a master's degree in order to get to the real important thing - FNP, CNS, CNM, CRNA, etc. I know that a NP cert. certainly means more $ in your pocket, more autonomy and that the course work makes up the majority of the hours spent in grad school. Don't play it down, you chose it, you earned it, and you are free to do whatever else you want to. I get 50 cents an hour at my ICU job for having a master's degree. I doubled my income as a cnm. Go for it, don't worry, but I think it will look strange if you play down the FNP. Don't feel you have to explain why you don't want to be a FNP for the rest of your life, focus on why you want to be an anesthetist.

I have a master's in nursing and am applying to CRNA programs. In one state alone there are 4 programs that offer post-master's option. Even if they don't advertise a certificate option, many of your credits may transfer.

Baby Catcher...I loved being a midwife most of the time. The hours could be absolutely grueling. My average week was over 50, and some "time off" was spent simply recovering. With each passing year, I saw more patients in a day, and delivered more babies in a year. I left the greatest midwifery job - 8 CNMs, great salary, I was the director, was there 10 years.. I don't regret it(being a midwife), it is an integral part of who I am (I believe some women are natural-born midwives). Managed care and malpractice issues have really put a damper on the profession. We are dispensable to our employing physicians when things get tight. There are currently 5 CNMS working as labor and delivery nurses at the hospital I practiced in. I know of several others in different types of nursing positions, some working as NPs only. Soon after I left my group (big stable HMO), the other large CNM group at the hospital was laid off. Jobs are hard to come by, and good jobs are very rare. My nurse-midwifery program just sent cards out to alumni asking us to help recruit students. When I applied there were 60-70 applicants for 16 slots. They can't even get students!! I have worked closely with CRNAs for years and have always admired the profession, and it seems that most are very happy with their jobs. The best analogy I have is that it is like a marriage - very much in love for many years, we both grew and changed, and it was simply time to move on. I craved learning something new, I love physiology, pharmacology, being in the O.R. There are many forces, large and small that set forth this huge change for me. It is hard to articulate, but it feels right to me. I would never discourage anyone who felt drawn to midwifery from going to school. Nothing would have stopped me, I was 22 and headstrong. I do have concerns about the future for CNMs and the jobs are not plentiful, but that does not mean that you can't find your niche. It IS a challenge to practice "true midwifery" these days. When you have 5 patients in labor at one time, you just cannot be there for everyone, and it is very draining. Women will continue to demand midwifery care, that is the one thing about midwifery that I can say with utter confidence. Thanks for your input, and good luck.

Condensed version of my story: BSN 1990, MN in midwifery 1992, practiced fulltime as CNM until 10/03, went to work in ICU fulltime nights to gain requisite experience to apply to CRNA post-masters programs. Problem: Will have been there 6 months when I will need a reference. My manager has barely spoken to me since I have worked there, he seems preoccupied all the time. He really doesn't see me practice because I am on nights. Is he going to be furious when I ask for a reference? How much do I owe this unit for giving me a 3 month orientation? I'll have put in 14 months by the time the first program would start (first choice). Any insight from those who have been in this position? I only spent one year working labor and delivery before I went to grad school, I don't know why this seems different. I did not commit to stay for any length of time, but I will get a sign on bonus if I'm still standing after 6 months, then another at one year (total $3000). By the way, working nights is killing me. Totally tangential, but I just had to say it. WHAAA! Thanks.

I have to disagree about the sex thing. For one thing, life being a sexually transmitted condition would not exist without sex, so you wouldn't be here to lament the presence of your bothersome testicles. If you are reporting here correctly that your average year consists of maybe five minutes of sexual pleasure, then I am quite sure you are doing something wrong, especially if you have enough testosterone to clear your pate. The pleasure of sex, without being graphic goes beyond the few seconds of climax, and it creates a strong bond between couples like nothing else - even better than a joint venture into nurse-anesthesia I think. Some have compared it with religious ecstacy. Granted, if both partners are satisified with the frequency and quality of their sex life, then I wouldn't classify it as a problem. You most definitely are firmly rooted at one extreme end of the spectrum of sexual appetites, but you may really be missing out on something wonderful that you simply neglect out of boredom or laziness or fear of true intimacy.