clintcron

@wbtcrna Friends with a friend in the org. It's not very publicized at the moment, but the statistical data is out there. I have a friend that made a 1560 with a cum. 3.9, and failed out. It's about determination.

@sniffy, thank the good Lord that you didn't have to take the gre. It is without doubt the greatest scam ever, and it is by no means an accurate predictor one's intelligence. It is merely a formality. That's why the AANA is pushing strongly for schools to stop the requirement. Schools are missing out on some outstanding candidates. Have a good one. Clint

If it is any consolation, I know of a guy that is in with these stats: GPA-3.07, gre- 780, 2.5 yrs of icu, online BSN. The interview is the key. He is fortunate have gotten the interview; however, he rocked it out. His associates GPA was 2.45 and BSN was 3.91. Depends on how the school looks at it. Congrats.

I couldn't agree more with real nurse. Icu skills? Hmmmmm. When someone is crashing do you give fluids or hang a pressor because that is what you were taught, or have taken the time to learn why your doing what your doing. Anyone can memorize an algorithm, they want the nurse that gets the physiology behind the intervention. Good rule of thumb, when co-workers begin to come to you for answers, then you should be ready pertaining to icu skills. Loads of nurses follow orders. They want thinkers. Hope this helps.

I referee to this before. Try not to worry yourself with this. Unless your going to an enormous well-known school like case western, rush, excels, etc.... My friend has a cumulative GPA of 3.07, a 760 on the gre, and 2.5 yrs experience in icy. 1 yr in peds icu, 1.5 yrs in cvicu. He starts in august 2012, because he rocked the interview. Period. The interview is key combined with where you apply. If you know your stuff, you will be fine. If you are not solid in your icu skills, they will know and so will you when you receive the rejection letter. You should be fine, as you are somewhat "over qualified".

New England offers biochem online. It's 2500 for the class, no prereqs. They give you an entire year to finish it. Self-paced learning that fulfills the req for just about every program.

Cool. Just giving you something to consider. It may be a personality issue or something. Regardless, as long you stag motivated, you will get there. Any questions feel free to ask.

True, but they will fail you at least twice on the clinical eval. You should figure an additional 6000 for this. I know this for a fact. I'm just letting you know. Secondly, a close friend of mine had some issues with transfer credits to the school and into the masters. Just giving you something to think about..

For what its worth, I do not believe the market will be saturated. A lot of new grads yes, but the profession itself has a very nice shortage still yet. You also have to remember the competitiveness of the programs, and the relatively small class size each year. All of this combined with hospitals looking to decrease cost provides for a nice outlook for the future. Also, I might reconsider the option of the degree program aforementioned. There much cheaper alternatives with as good if not better quality in education.

Let me set the record straight for you. Very few programs will allow an outside bachelors degree and those that do, generally require it in a science related field. I.e. chemistry, biology, physiology, etc... Also, to clarify my statement, I was implying that the residents and attendings drop by to visit their patient for 15-20 minutes, not that their education was only preparing them for this. Both specialities are highly trained, and are compensated for what they can do if things go wrong, not what they routinely do in the OR. You cannot deny the fact that the majority of MDA's either spend no time actually supervising the CRNA or they stick their head in and say, "Yep, that looks good. Call me if you need me." I have the utmost respect for physicians, period. I just think that there is a political agenda, engulfed in greed, that refuses to see the facts, as they will lose money. Regardless, the CRNA profession will eventually win in this situation. Having an MDA on staff is actually a cost to the hospital. It is a necessary expense, but an expense still yet. CRNA's generate enough income for the hospital to at least pay for their total package. As this economy continues to decline, the nurse anesthetist will gain power, as it all ultimately stems back to the profitability of the non-profit hospital. The writing is on the wall. Surgeons, MDA's, RN's, and other o.r. staff have seen the CRNA practice independently for years now. The profession does not want equality in terms of titles, it wants equality in regards to respect. One last question. Why is the CRNA the only profession that really takes a beating over all if this? NP's usually do not. Everyone appears to be fine with the notion of optometry, chiropractirs, opthalmalogists, radiologists, etc... being called doctor. If you earn a doctorate, then you are recognized as a doctor in you field of expertise. Maybe medical doctors should implement a change in their initials. MP....Medical Physicians. I personally refer to my doc as my physician. This could fix a lot of arguing. Just saying. Lastly, education does not make the sole difference in patient care. Education is very important, but it is simply a generalized blueprint to gain a better understanding for the chosen career. Specialization comes into play, but the real difference maker is the clinical experience. Argue all that you want, but we all know that 4.0 will not necessarily help you in the operating room. Experience is the best teacher. Cheers!

Here is my two cents that I added to their blog. I'm just a lowly nurse getting set for CRNA school, but hopefully someone will read it before deciding to just believe the idiot that owns the site. Let's begin by stating facts, shall we. While an MD (medical doctor) undergoes extensive didactic education and an in-depth clinical residency to become board certified, the CRNA undertakes very similar training. The CRNA gains a bachelor degree in the science of nursing. This not only covers the science courses required for most pre-med curriculum, but it also involves a more personal, holistic approach that is custom tailored to each patient. Recently, the bachelor if science in nursing was ranked nationwide as the most difficult bachelor's degree to obtain. While some schools require a minimum of one year in an adult intensive care unit prior to starting the CRNA program, the majority requires two years , with the average accepted student possessing 3-5 years prior to admission to the program. This is what is considered "residency" for nurses. This residency prepares the nurse for the nurse anesthesia practice by allowing the registered nurse the ability to take care of the most critically ill patients for 12-14 hours per day, 3-4 days per week. The MD is prepared through education, and then stopping by for approximately 15-20 minutes per day, 4-5 days per week. Most CRNA educational tracts range from 2-3 years depending on the school, and whether the practitioner is pursuing a masters or a doctorate in the practice of nursing. That being said, educating the patient is everyone's responsibility. The CRNA is responsible for educating the patient in terms of the title that they possess. Total time for an anesthesiologist: 14 years. Total time for the CRNA: 10-12 years. Now, one can consider that there is an option for the CRNA to sub-specialize in pain management. This is a post-masters/doctoral certification that requires another 15 months of additional training. Please keep in mind that the nursing profession actually invented the practice if anesthesia. I am posting this information for educational purposes, as the author/owner of this site has not been completely honest it fair in the comparison of the qualifications pertaining to the nurse anesthetist. There has been many, published research projects conducted on the difference between anesthesiologist vs crna adminstered anesthetics. In terms of patient safety, mortality, and morbidity there are no differences. The most popular and talked about research project concerning these issues available today was conducted by another MD. The concern expressed earlier in the blog is valid only as it pertains to the confusion of the patient. Misrepresentation occurs in every scope of practice, thus requiring the practitioner, whomever it may be, to educate the patient properly. Feel free to ask any questions, and please reference this site if you truly want the truth on all questions CRNA. http://www.aana.com Lastly, CRNA's are board certified by the state nursing board only after they take and pass the national examination for certification to practice as a CRNA.

Could not agree more. As for the stats. Regardless of what anyone tells you, if you do nothing else, you will get many interviews. It is up to you to kill the interview. Good luck, and know that I was not directing this at you in particular. There are too many threads like this that are looking for a confidence booster. If you know your stuff, you will be fine. Now go kill that interview.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but everyone is way too concerned with the prelims. Your stats are good enough to get you into an interview with 90% of the schools available with only a one year requirement. The real question that everyone should ask themselves is this: How good am I clinically? Great academics are fine, but a 4.0 means nothing in the O.R. I thought the same way until I shadowed regularly with CRNA's. Logging over 100 hours in the past 3 months has proven the necessity of becoming a sound critical care nurse. No need to worry anymore about your academics. Really begin to refine your ability on the floor. Without this understanding, I fear for the new grass and the patients that they care for. You will learn a lot in school; however, there is no substitute for experience. I wish you the best, but please heed my advice and really apply yourself to the role of the ICY nurse until you really understand the physiology and patho of the various patients that you care.

I, too, am gearing up for my interview there as well. Why did you choose Excels, and what are your stats?

I'm very close to being accepted. I'm pursuing Murray state, as I prefer rural areas to practice in. I have shadowed around 100 hours so far, and know without doubt this us for me. Anything in specific, that I may be able to answer, just ask.