SiCubaby

Oh yeah- and a credit score might look good to banks but truth be told- it is a false security. Good credit does not give your family security- shelter, food and a little love and happiness does. Defaulted loans- WILL NOT haunt you forever. Not even close. Do you even have kids eye see you? Don't EVER rely on borrowing in times of emergency, EVER. If you don't have the money in an emergency well you better have some other plans in place- that is what seperates the weak, from the strong.

Congratulations is definitely in order!! Where did you get accepted? When do you start? I am currently in my third semester of CRNA school, clinicals start in March. I agree with the prior post, definitely get your default in order to see if you can get on a payment plan, to possibly get the default off your credit score. My debt at the end of it all will be around 125k, but no prob it will be paid off in a couple years. You see, I have come from the land where people have told me, no, you can't do that, you can't possibly do this. I make it my goal to prove them all wrong. Let me tell you, from what you are saying it is definitely doable. I have two kids, aged 2 and 6, and a stay at home mom. I still support them all still. Hopefully your wife going to work ends up working, but have several plans in place in regards to what you will do if you have financial situation A, B, C. Have plan A, B, C, and the oh **** plan. I work 2 nights a week on top of school, and do fine for now. As for clinicals I will stop working. School will definitely be the hardest thing you will have ever done, I say that now without even have started clinicals, I am sure it will get worse. My wife and kids are very supportive. The navy reserve idea is a great one- when you join if the company that you defaulted on wants to play hard ball, well guess what now they cannot come after you when you join the militiary- its the law. And in a worse case scenario- defaulting on a home loan might seem bad. I have owned 3 homes at once in a real estate venture with rental properties and sold them all prior to school luckily- and short sold one. I can tell you my credit went from 950 to the 600s real quick. And you know what? I got all the loans I needed- GradPlus is the first great option. You have to have filed bankruptcy I hear to get denied for that. Otherwise make sure you have a couple people that will cosign for you lined up- just in case you do get denied. Just make sure you have the things that cost the most per month in regards to a bill- paid off. That will be the most important when you are scratching the barrel for a dollar at the end of the month. If not- I will tell you that times are hard- that means a lot of people are defaulting on their home mortgages. From some good mortgage broker buds of mine- For your own personal home it takes three months for the mortgage company to file for initial proceedings. Then it takes up to an additional year these days if not more for your house to go up for sheriffs auction. Worse comes to worse- that buys you 15 months- a long time in school if **** hits the fan. Hopefully it would never come to that- I know of several people in that boat- and will make it. And really in the financial turmoil of the world nowadays, who really knows what will happen in the next couple of years. Just think of how great it will be when you look back. Worrying now is natural. Just make sure you have several plans in place so if one doesn't work out you can go to the other, unfortunately less desirable one. Make sure your family fully understands all the things that may go down and are willing to take it to that level if need be. I think the only thing you need to worry about regarding your family and all that whole worrisome crap is this- How good they will have it when you are done and the smoke clears. Did you know that Donald Trump went bankrupt once? If smart people didn't make risks for success, well, that would be something wouldn't it?

Consider me prepared for breathing, sleeping, eating, and living anesthesia for 27 months, bring it on... I do agree with many of the other posts. I feel that some have a strong grasp on their knowledge set or "knowing" they want to be something after much preparation. But many others before have said they "knew" when in fact they really don't know, just at the time think they do. I have been through several professions thinking I somewhat "knew" I wanted to do it. Knowledge of ones true love for doing something truly lies behind them actually doing it once or twice at least, witnessing it, doing something remotely related to it. I too have met many others prior coming into my ICU with this pie in the sky idea that they were destined for CRNA, that they somehow knew it was perfect for them. Then they don't make it past orientation, couldn't cut it as an ICU RN, just weren't cut out that way as an individual- so then they found out that they really weren't CRNA material- many of the critical care thinking mentality, focused advanced knowledge set is a base knowledge for SRNAs entering CRNA school. So one could only think they know (hopefully) they can excel at CRNA profession, but really won't find out until they immerse themselves in it a little more, shadow several times, read some CRNA books, befriend a CRNA, work in an high acuity ICU for a while, learn vents, gtts, etc etc etc. So for all of the dreamers out there with real limited experience, haven't graduated RN school yet, haven't been in an ICU or shadowed or learned more through multiple online searches, sticky notes on forums etc, instead of posting like one simple question about CRNA that has been asked 1000 times in multiple forums- GOOD LUCK. I sure hope you make it but please don't be coming in with the mentality that you just simply know you want to do it, not coming off right. And for those that just simply entered CRNA school and couldn't make it/dropped, I feel sorry for them- maybe they didn't really know what they were in for, etc. or did their research or whatev, and I'm saying this hoping my remarks don't kick me in the butt come the end of February. :)

Well well well.... I started my ultimate dream of going into healthcare as an EMT-B, and have also dreamt of going into healthcare as far back as kindergarten. Now I went into nursing for many many reason. Not only is it for the money and better life etc which is minimal if I may in the grand scheme of things that is for those of us who went into nursing for other reasons. But it is for an extension and advancement upon one's clinical knowledge set. It is an advancement over simply prehospital. There is a much larger picture than prehospital and ED in that patient. If the other part of the picture isn't for you than stick to ED or prehospital for Petey sake like ***** As for me... Well I am having NO issues. I will get much banter as yes I am stepping in and saying it but I know far much more clinically now than ever, sure I was no EMT-P but.... I work in a large metro SICU, and as for some of my friends did I would die and go to heaven to go to flight or TSICU or CVICU but my ultimate dream is CRNA which I have already been accepted to yay oh yeah, oh yes!! And no it is not for the money at all as many seem to think it is about, those on that mode, go find another career path, really. So how many EMTs having trouble transitioning into nursing where I in any day.. Can independently use my clinical knowledge set to know which pressor to use, which gtt to use, what vent setting to use? Can you even read a 12 lead? Hello to versed, etomidate, succ, any curium, precedex dopamine dobutamine epi norepi vaso methylene blue argatroban CVVH THAM flomax A/C PS, IMV, PC, etc etc etc tell me you know these abbs. Tell me you can respond to any code and run it independantly no prob, get back to your patient afterwards who has a Swan and an open abdomen, 2 chest tubes, then run the whole unit as charge, then leave to place say 5 Ultrasound guided IVs on other floors just for fun even if I can place them blindly. Advanced hemodynamic monitoring, flotrac, Stroke volume variant, CVP, Cardiac output, systemic vascular resistance, etc etc, TNCC, PALS ACLS, CCRN, Will never go back.... So if you have an issue in your RN career pick the RN path that is more like your speed high adrenaline high stakes life or death the good stuff- ED, ICU, trauma, etc, plenty of paths in that for nursing, just pick it and get the hell off the floor or peds or whatever it is that isn't fitting for you or boring you. And nowadays I'm so far in it takes a lot for me to get the rush anymore.. For the money, really? Be in it for the LOVE, for the excitement, and get a clue.

Sorry guys this is late. I interviewed 9/21, found out I was accepted two days later, oh yeah!! If not too late- The interview process went well. Be well dressed. When I came in there were 6 of us- they took us up to a classroom where the pd gave an overview of the program, how they meet or exceed the COA recommendations. Then there is a short quiz, not sure how many scenarios they have, but study your tele. Then they interviewed us one at a time. I know its easy to say be prepared, because I don't think anyone is truly prepared to be solidly happy with every question they ask. I interviewed with 5 staff- pd, interim pd, teacher, and a student, not sure if there was anyone else. Make sure to be confident and not too nervous, give good eye contact. There are plenty of good websites with templates on the multitude of questions they will or might ask you, just Google Nurse anesthesia interview questions. Most importantly know why you want to be a CRNA, etc etc. Did anyone else on here find out yet if they got accepted or not?

Hey, There are plenty of websites out there to help you with that answer. I know that many of the forums have many similar postings repeating multiple times, therefore like it happened to me, you won't get many replies back unfortunately. I would suggest looking at the multiple stickies found on this website. Another good resource is the AANA website and all-crna-schools.com. How far along are you in nursing school, or have you just started? If you just started you have plenty of time to do very well in your classes while getting you BSN. I would not suggest getting your NP first as this would be a waste of your time if you are interested on becoming a CRNA. One of the factors behind someone going to another graduate program first is because they either weren't sure what they wanted to do initially, or their BSN gpa sucked, and they needed to take some graduate level courses and do good on them to bring the gpa up so they have a chance at becoming accepted into CRNA school. First I would highly advise you to shadow one or several CRNAs for at least a shift or two to get an idea as to their roles, responsibilities, and to look at the AANA website. Make sure this is what you truly want to do, as many RNs have dreams in thier head about becoming a CRNA without a clue as to what they do, merely looking at the money, etc. Then if you truly want to continue your dream of becoming a CRNA you will want to get at least a 3.5 gpa. Many programs state 3.0 at least but average accepted applicants are anywhere from 3.5-4.0. Get strong science scores, and extra classes you take should be in pathophys, biology, microbiology, organic and inorganic chem. Look up a program website to find out their prereqs. Once you get your RN degree (you will need a BSN or other bachelor degree AND be an RN with critical care exp), as the highest requirement I would suggest is get into an ICU and do great in it. Not any ICU either- you will want to be in metro or similar ICU such as a SICU a trauma ICU, MRICU, etc or the like that deals with very sick patients so you get the experience that CRNA schools are looking for- ventilator management, experience with Swan-Ganz catheters, art lines, central lines, multiple titratable infusions, pressors, sedatives, analgesics, advanced hemodynamic monitoring, etc, etc. You will want to be working in the ICU as most CRNA schools suggest at least 1 year, preferably two. The average applicant that gets accepted I hear has about at least 2-4 years ICU exp. before getting accepted. While in the ICU really get to know MDs, CRNAs, MDAs, be in committees, get your CCRN, etc. Again, I would not horse around with an NP program if your true goal is CRNA, that is if you find out that you truly want to do it. I like you was in your spot once and now I cannot believe the spot I am in as I just got accepted into a CRNA program, and I am passing along some of the advice that I was once given, but most importantly you need to make sure that is truly what you want to do- you won't know it totally until you get deep in the trenches of critical care, shadow a CRNA, etc. I also would suggest reading the book Watchful Care- a history of nurse anesthesia. Just my 2 cents. My gpa 3.6 science gpa 3.85 GRE score 1100, SICU 3.5 years, CCRN, ACLS, PALS, TNCC. Member multiple committees, superuser of US machine, edwards monitors, rapid transfuser, CRRT machine.

Thank you so much guys, I work at St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI

I am very excited to say that I just received notice that I am accepted to Rosalind Franklin University class of 2013!!!! Oh yeah, I can't believe it, not many replies to any posts I made on here but still would love to say what a wonderful tool it was in helping me get more information, etc. Thank you to everyone, and oh yeah, anyone else get accepted or hear anything yet?

So hey guys, I am excited to say that I am now in HBO nursing!! I went on my first "bounce dive" today to 165 feet or rather 6atms. OMG that was awesome!! I have worked for several years in the SICU and always wanted to moonlight in Hyperbaric nursing. So cool! We have one of the largest chambers in the country!

So I sent out my applications and should hear from the two schools I applied to I'm guessing by the end of September. I know I am a very strong applicant and am wondering as I have in the past regarding loans and such. So, I am the sole breadwinner and I know that eventually when and if I do get in I won't be able to work. I will have most everything paid off by then regarding any loans, etc I have now except for one car payment. I don't have much saved up, and am not sure how much I will have by the time I start which will be roughly 11 months from now. So with that being said, are there any loans out there that cover living expenses, and if so, how much per year? I am willing to do anything short of selling my soul to get through CRNA school if I get accepted. Any replies, etc are much appreciated!!!

Well I can't believe it now I have my applications out to two schools- One to Rosalind Franklin and the other Franciscan Skemp. I did sent them I believe a bit early, and am just chomping at the bit to find out if I get an interview or not!!! You know how it is, I know I am a strong applicant, and on the other coin the cup is half empty and I have doubts. I sure hope I find out sooner rather than later so I stop worrying about it!! Has anyone else gone to these schools, when do they actually notify you, it isn't too descriptive on thier websites, but I think it will be like in October? Man I hate waiting...

I was wondering if anyone knew if one could manage living through loans while in CRNA school. I am getting closer and curious; I have 2 years SICU experience in a large hospital, BSN completion Fall 09 with 3.8 GPA so far, all As in sciences and math, ACLS and PALS certified with CCRN cert this spring likely. My dilemma is; Married, one 3 year old with another kid on the way in March this year, mortgage, etc. Wife is stay at home- she could potentially work while I go to school but say hypothetically she doesn't and even if she does it will not cover current living expenses. Are there still loans out there and the like to cover mortgage, other living costs, etc? I totally realize that I would have to cut lifestyle down as it is but, Any info on this would be great, anyone else with this story that has went through CRNA school? Thanks in advance