MNrun

If you want to have a better chance of getting into CRNA school quickly...get adult ICU experience.

Anyone else on this board going to RFU in March?

Call down to the OR or the anesthesia department at your hospital and tell them that you would like to shadow a CRNA.

You have 6 years before then in which you can make it through a program. Also, I don't think the DNP is going to occur in all NA programs until 2025.

Get your GPA up or you are not going to be competitive whatsoever. Many schools will not consider you if you can't meet the minimums, such as GPA, GRE, etc.

This is not the norm though, there is always the exception. Programs are taking a big risk by accepting a nurse with almost no experience off orientation. You can go and apply, and may get an interview, but most likely will not be accepted.

I started applying to schools in June 2009

I'm sure there will be. I have a feeling that commute is going to get really long! I talked with someone that is in the program now that commuted from there and she said it got really long when she had to commute for anatomy in the summer five days a week. We are going to live right on campus for the first 5 quarters and then decide what to do.

I received the form to send with the deposit. I haven't received anything related to class or books. Maybe all that will be coming once the spots are filled. Financial aid information is right on the website, and the office is very helpful. Are you going to be commuting far or living near school?

Congratulations! The deposit is $500. Is RFU your first choice or are you waiting on some other schools? I think it will be a great experience. I recently talked with a student in the program and she said without a doubt she feels she will be more than ready to practice in a variety of settings upon graduation. I know they is some travel involved, but they are always attempting to add more clinical sites. Do you know if the class is full, did you interview with about 4 or 5 others? They have been interviewing people for at least 2 months now.

You could apply for 2011, but you will most likely not be competitive and most managers are not going to write you a solid LOR at that point. If you start in the ICU in September of 2010, you would have to be applying for programs right away. You will still be on orientation and not really know anything yet (no offense) I graduated in May 2008, started in the ICU in July 2008 and was just accepted to CRNA school last month to begin in 2010. I'm sure there have been a few that had the minimum of 1 year experience by the time the program starts, but most people have 1 year at least by the time of interviewing. It only makes sense to get some good ICU experience outside of orientation before you are asking coworkers, manager, and docs for LOR. If you even got an interview, they would recognize right away that you really didn't have enough experience when you haven't even cared for the sickest patients on your unit. You will not be able to take your CCRN either with absolutely zero hours in the ICU. I hope this helps.

I bought a Master cardiology and I really like it....neccessary? Not really.

I admire the OP motivation. Bojar is a great resource. I started in the CVSICU right out of school and wanted to learn more than I was being taught and read all I could get my hands on. Take the CCRN. All the extra work I did payed off as I was accepted to CRNA school with 14 months ICU experience. More people need to be motivated to advance their practice like you.

Just be willing to relocate and apply to a few schools and you should get in on the first time around from the looks of your resume...if you can interview well.

Sorry GLBK, wanted to post some things privately, but cannot do that as I can't PM