tswim

Here's a link to the forum ssrhythm mentioned that can provide you some insight on anesthesia work: https://allnurses.com/student-registered-nurse/a-day-in-278092.html Also, wtbcrna is spot on about the math needed for crna school. And, to correct the misinformation, organic chemistry does not require any math.

Westminster seems like the type of program you're looking for. Since there aren't many (if any) other programs like this, you needn't limit yourself to that one program as it doesn't necessarily save you any time- though it would be nice to not have to worry about getting accepted to a CRNA program. Having an ADN already you're path simply requires that you get into an ICU, apply to and complete an online ADN to BSN program, and apply to and gain entry to a CRNA program. You can apply to CRNA schools while you're finishing your BSN so long as you're also already working in an ICU (to meet the minimum 1 year requirement). Good luck!

I don't know much about these programs personally, but the following list of (11) Texas DNP programs accredited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing is short enough that you can browse each school's website and decide which might work for you: American Association of Colleges of Nursing | Program Directory I have heard second-hand that Texas Tech has an excellent nursing program with user-friendly online learning resources.

Most programs require that the year of work prior to entering anesthesia school be full-time in the ICU. That means at least 3 days a week in ICU. So, no, the weekend plan will not likely meet the requirements for applying to anesthesia schools. Also, those 3 days a week would be providing you opportunities to obtain knowledge/skills that will be useful for CRNA school; this is why the minimum ICU requirements exist.

Just so you have all the correct information: Texas A&M has the highest NCLEX pass rates in Texas (among BSN programs, averaged over the pass 5 years) and UT Houston has the highest NCLEX pass rates in Houston. You can find these results via the TX BON website. If you want to work in Houston after graduation, it is likely that TWU is a better option (vs. A&M) in terms of being able to get a job there. This is a matter of location - at TWU you will do clinicals at the top hospitals of the Texas Medical Center, and can thereby make connections that might help you land your first job. Good luck.

When it's all they know, people begin to believe it's how it ought to be.

250 bed hospital, 24 ICU beds (MICU+SICU), 1 charge nurse, 1 rapid response nurse; neither takes patients. Charge has both roles when short-staffed.

Exactly Raider. And there are actually 5 CRNA schools in TX, 3 private, 1 public, and the Army program. So, the only school where a TX residency would help you get lower tuition is UT Health Science Center-Houston. Cost of attendance there is significantly less than the 3 private schools, but it is also one of the most competitive for admissions.

I second what PMFB said in his/her first post, and what Esme said about getting a job as a new grad. Stick with Loyola. Enjoy your college years, and focus on getting good grades. Work as hard as you need to keep at least a 3.6 gpa as none of the grad schools you apply to will know that the B+ you got at Loyola was a 91%. And after you graduate, continue living like a student and focus on paying off your loans as quickly as possible so you can save for grad school thereafter.

Choose CV Recovery. After a year there you'll likely also be able to work in the CVICU, and could then transfer or split your time between the 2 areas. This way you will have the "ICU experience" needed for those schools that don't accept Recovery. And congrats on getting those offers as a new grad.

Thanks. sent u a pm

I only ended up applying and interviewing at 2 schools because I got accepted to my top choice. I don't know that my Biochem degree made a big difference in whether I got an interview. But I feel it contributed to the overall strength of my application. In general, getting an interview is not about a single part of your app, as admissions committees take into account the whole package. Yet, because of the science-based nature of CRNA curricula, I'm sure most programs find a previous science degree appealing. One of my interviewers did ask about my biochem degree, and seemed to like it. I was premed previously, so I just had to explain why I had changed routes. And fyi, from my extensive research on programs, pretty much all of them accept a basic stats course to satisfy that pre-req.

HenryH, You actually might not need to re-take any of those courses, depending on the schools you apply to. I completed a BS in Biochem in 2005 and my BSN in 2007. Applied to schools this year, and of the dozen or so that I was considering, only one of them required an O. Chem or Biochem course within 6 years. None of the others had time limits on how long ago pre-req courses were taken. Also, dunno if you took Statistics, but many programs require it as a pre-req.

Xristina, your biggest weakness is lack of experience. If you will have 1.5 years of experience when the program starts, that means you will have ~1 year when you apply, and you have only been in ICU for a few months currently. I'd say, overall you're an average applicant- (see Mmmm gas' comment). If you work for one more year before applying, get your CCRN, and do the extras missnurse01 wrote about- then you'd be a strong applicant. That said, if you manage to get an interview with your current stats, then it just becomes about impressing the panel in the interview.

Re-take the course if you get less than a C. Otherwise, just move on and make sure you get A's in A&P and Pathophys courses. luck