cortrn

Hey, thanks for the detail of your response. I, too, was wondering about the precordial stethoscope. What an excellent explanation. Cort

Hey, thanks for the detail of your response. I, too, was wondering about the precordial stethoscope. What an excellent explanation. Cort

The same school recommended Katzung's book to help prepare for the interview...and school itself. I also got the nipride sheet. Cortrn

Wow! Thanks so much for replying to the vasoactive drug post. I'm learning so much from your collective experiences. Please, keep the info coming. Can't tell you what your responses have meant. I would soooo like to think that the school I'm considering thinks more about the quality and pliability of the student, but I think I've heard so much about interviews where you are expected to rattle off answers right and left to the panel's questions....panel of anywhere from 10-20 board members. Yikes! Makes me sweat just thinking about it! I could see getting caught up in how you feel you're coming across to the panel, meanwhile forgetting the question they just asked! Not really, but you get the point. I hated speech class for a reason. Ha! Keep replyin' Cortrn

Hey everyone, I'm getting ready to apply this Fall for CRNA school and need information to help me study for my interview. The school requires a good working knowledge of vasoactive drugs, their actions in the body, side effects, and activity at the cellular level. Does anyone know where I can find information on these common vasoactive drugs and exactly what they do at the cellular level? Also, I'm applying for a spot in this school to begin end of next summer. By then I will have 1 year in ICU. I'm a new grad now, working on my RN-to-BSN degree, which will be completed end of June. I've had ACLS, basic EKG, 12 Lead EKG, and my hospital is putting me through a critical care course this Spring. My sciences aren't "all that", in fact they are probably too low for admission if that were the only criteria. My overall GPA is 3.85 and I'm making A s in the BSN program now. Also, I'm taking Organic Chemistry even though it isn't required anymore by my school. I wanted to show them how committed I am to preparing for school next year. I'm certain my references will be positive, however, I don't know how they will answer the question, "How often is ______ assigned the MOST critical cases in your unit?" being that I'm a new grad. Also, I spoke with an anesthesiologist at a large teaching hospital here who told me that I should go for it. In calling him to ask if I could take a pharm course from him to prepare for school, he said I was the right kind of material for CRNA school and that I shouldn't wait to get another year of CCU experience before applying. Please, SRNAs, tell me what you think of my situation. BTW, I suck on standardized tests and will probably stink up the GRE, even though I get all A s in my coursework. Please, please, share your thoughts. Is it ridiculous to try to get in with my credentials? Thank you so much for listening. Cortrn

Yes, Amado, I used study guides and they helped me make A s on 6 of my 7 Excesior exams! I would highly recommend Chancellors AND Professional Development Systems study guides. I used both concurrently and I believe that's why I did so well. Cortrn

May sound silly, but I hadn't thought of bringing my transcripts in with me when I talk to them....but what a sound idea! Thanks! Cortrn

Congratulations on getting in! I am so encouraged when I read posts like yours. Keep us all posted of your experiences. :) Cortrn

Has anyone been in my shoes?..... Although my grades have been good in nursing school, many years ago I tanked my science GPA - 2.45. Is there ANYONE out there, who's been where I am now, manage to raise their science GPA high enough to be considered for crna school? When I figured it, it would take me MANY (more than 10) A s in science courses to raise it to a 3.4. If I retake the chemistry and take o. chem along with pharm and advanced patho (making A s of course), do you think they will "forgive" the errors of my youth? Thanks, Cortrn

Thanks, I can concentrate on getting good work experience and raising the science gpa this next year, not to mention finishing the BSN. I appreciate your honest opinion. Cortrn

Please tell me what you all think.....my local crna school, rather an admissions person, encouraged me to apply this Fall for the class starting July 2005. I wonder if I should. I just completed an RN program and am getting ready to plow through the BSN program. I think I will be able to complete the BSN by late April, with a conferral date in June. My overall gpa is 3.75, however my science gpa is 2.5. ARG! I took those science courses MANY years ago...back when a "D" didn't shock my pants off. I plan to work at a level I trauma center here that hires new grads into critical care areas. When I asked what I could do to make myself a more attractive candidate, she said that two of their professors also teach advanced patho and pharm at a university here.....it would be great to take these two classes from them. Well, the transfer admission date for this univ. has passed already for this Fall, so I wouldn't be able to take them before next Spring anyway. That wouldn't help my chances of getting in Jul '05. Would you scramble to raise the science gpa and get a great gre score and shoot for application this Fall, 2004? Would it be too much to shoot for? BTW, the person I spoke with said they had several students with only a year cc experience by the time their srna classes began. And overall, they only turned away 20-30 applicants this past Fall. Is that a good sign? Your collective opinions are much appreciated :) cortrn

I love this thread...........srnas, please, please, please share what you would do differently if you'd known from the beginning this would be your path. Thanks. etherchick:)

Congratulations on getting into MTSA! I hope to be at MTSA in a few years and would love to hear of your experiences there..... all of them! :) Way to go! etherchick:)

Way to go Bamadawg! Please post your experiences as you progress in CRNA school. God bless this wonderful gift. etherchick:)

oops!...............regardless of how you get there.:)