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Hello- can anyone answer a couple of questions about the new CRNA program at FSU? I am mainly interested in the application process and cost of attendance (for out-of-state). I saw that the CRNA app isn't due until April. I was wondering, though, if anyone knows when the application opens up? I tried to start my application online, but it will only let me accept Spring 2016 for the application term. Also, do you have to apply both to FSU itself AND an additional CRNA application? Any of those currently in the program: can you discuss on-call, driving distance to hospital locations, etc? Thanks so much! and Congrats to the new students starting Fall 2015!

Hi all, and congrats to those already accepted to Pitt's program. I was wondering if any of you are starting the part-time program? I'm really interested to know how manageable the classes are while still working. Thanks!

Congrats to those who got accepted!! I am looking to apply to CRNA school in the next 1-2 years. Could any of you provide your stats? I have a low basic chem grade but a 4.0 in Biochem, then a low physiology grade, but 3.5 in graduate level advanced Pathophysiology. stuff like that I'm wondering how it will look in my application. So, it would be helpful to know where you excelled and where you may have been flawed and still got accepted. Thanks so much. :) Congrats again! Also, did any of you apply to MSU, Detroit Mercy, OU, MFlint? Thanks.

Thanks for your reply. Agreed, I think it will be extremely difficult, but wouldn't it be more difficult getting pregnant while in the program? Another thought I've had is getting pregnant after the first year is up, then I'd give birth with like 3 months of the program left (God willing). I'm not sure if that'd be easier or harder? hmmm...how long is the program you were accepted into? The other variable is I'm planning to apply to programs out of state, which means we will be far from helpful family members.

Hello, I don't post here often, but I'm interested in SRNA's experience with children/school balance? I have an infant who will be 2 upon starting CRNA program (if I get in). We are thinking about trying for a second child immediately because we don't want to wait until our son is 4-5 (graduating from CRNA) to have another child. So, has anyone done CRNA school with a 6 month old and 2 year old? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Of course, I realize that the schooling is challenging, but I think it definitely could be worth it to have children now. We'd like to have 2 more after school as well, but don't want them all spaced out 4-5 years. Thanks for any opinions and considerations. :)

Couple of questions regarding working at the U: how long is new grad orientation? Is there a verbal or written time commitment that you must work on the unit (I've heard 18 mths)? Must that commitment be fulfilled on the unit you hire in to or can you transfer internally? Hypothetically: if you were offered the job for a position that you like (getting foot in the door) and applied and received an interview for a position you LOVE, would you interview for the 2nd position? Keep in mind, you haven't even started at the accepted "like" position yet. If so, how do you do so w/o stepping on toes and looking bad within the system? Is it better to let the perfect job slip away so as to say within the U? Also-can someone comment in regards to when benefits start, how's the insurance, etc. Thanks!

HouTx, Thank you for the compliment. I hope that I will be a good nurse too! My husband has worked in landscaping/hardscaping for the last 5 years. However, with our move he's looking to possibly get into a new, slightly different career as the hard labor is hard on him physically. We've tossed around the idea of him going back to school also. The midwest is definitely no fun weather or economically speaking right now. It's supposed to be spring and we're still getting snow, sleet, rain, thunderstorms, etc. I think mother nature has it in for us for some reason. lol. My husband and I are definitely looking forward to a warmer client, yet we realize the extreme heat of TX will probably take some getting used to also. Thanks for your positive post!

I am concerned that the $25,000 sign on bonus sounds like a "to good to be true" scam. Does anyone have knowledge of this hospital and the working conditions? Thank you for the head up! I'll look into both of these hospitals. Good luck in your search also.

Melosaur, you bring up a great point. I did not know you could physically sit for the exam in another state (i.e. take the TX NCLEX in MI). However, my husband and I plan to move to TX shortly after graduation, so I'll most likely schedule it somewhere in TX. But, thank you for making me aware of that option. I had no idea. So, since you did the "big move," were you able to find a new grad position quickly? Everyone, I appreciate the continual answer to my questions. I don't know a lot of good cities to look in so everything is very helpful. I greatly appreciate it.

Thanks for your advice. I was thinking that taking NCLEX in TX initially would be less stressful. I plan to start applying and making phone calls come August/September. Do you think that is too early/late? I won't have a TX address planned yet until we actually move. I could use the address of some family we have there. Do you think that would be a good choice even if it's not in the area I'm looking? I'm not able to get any nursing experience during school due to the accelerated format. It's just too intense. However, as I said in the previous post I am ACLS certified, and very experienced with cardiac monitoring/EKG as well as phlebotomy experience. I hope that will help me somewhat. Is there anything else that you think I could do to stand out as a new grad? Thanks for your help!

Thank you for your advice. I definitely want to look at numerous small cities and start making calls. I'd really like to set up some interviews come August/September. Is Temple, TX not a small city? I was under the assumption that "small city" pretty much meant anything outside of Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin areas. Is this an incorrect assumption? Do you have some other hospitals that I should check into? I do have good grades so far, Deans list, and I am ACLS certified with extensive EKG/cardiac monitoring experience that came with my cardiac rehab/stress testing experience. So, I hope that will help my chances. Thanks for your help!

Also, I'm very interested in Scott and White, but what are some other hospitals that you all would recommend to apply to? Thanks again!

Hi everyone, So, I have a lot of questions and I hope that all of you can help me find some answers. Some background on me, I have a previous degree in Kinesiology and have worked in cardiac rehab, as a college physical fitness and wellness instructor, and a personal trainer. I'm currently in an accelerated BSN program and I will graduate in Dec. 2011. As the economy in MI is awful, my husband and I plan to move to TX immediately after graduation, among other personal reasons that we're planning the move. So, my questions: 1. Should I take the NCLEX in MI, then endorse it in TX, or instead take the NCLEX in TX initially? 2. If I take it in TX initially will it be a quicker? 3. Will I get my license quick enough to apply to an internship program that starts in January? 4. Is there anything that I should/could do to promote my chances of getting accepted to a new grad RN position or internship? Thank you in advance for all of your replies!!

Can everyone also please say if their state is very open for new grads or a tough place to start? thanks!

I actually would not recommend chegg based on the fact that you're just renting the books and need to send them back. That is a good program for other undergraduate programs, but for nursing you're really advised to keep your books as the material comes up again and again. Just think if you change units after a couple of years and watch to brush up on your EKG skills, you'll need your critical care books. Just my two cents.

Highlandlass - do you have nurse recruiter contact info? I don't graduate until Dec 2011, but I saw U of M advertising a Nurse Shadow program on Entry Level Jobs and Internships and thought about looking into that and talking to a recruiter at that time also. Do you think they hire U of M grads more than others? I am UM-Flint, but it's still an affiliate. Thanks for your help.

Amazon is my go to. I have orders some books from half.com (ebay's textbook place) but the shipping is horrible. Amazon is reliable and you get books quickly. My mom has the Amazon credit card thing, so I order through her and get the free 2-day shipping. good luck!

highlandlass - can you comment on the amount of tuition reimbursement that UM offers?

Have you asked for just your nursing license number? I met with an advisor for an MSN program I'm interested in attending once I graduate with my BSN next December. The problem is that the MSN program starts in January and they'll need my nursing license, which from the sound of things I quite possibly may not have by then. She said that at that time I should try to call and just get my license number. Apparently, Michigan is one of the few states that actually mails physical cards anymore. Many other states just provide you with your nursing license number. So, maybe this is a possibility? It's worth a try. Good luck!

I have a friend that didn't do that well in nursing school and SWEARS by the Kaplan NCLEX course. It's kind of pricey, but sounds totally worth it. She now is an ICU nurse. Keep trying!

Okay, I think I added you, but if it's not you then I'll just feel like a weirdo. lol. Have you gotten your packet yet? Lee said we would have orientation really soon. He called me on Monday and I still haven't received my packet. I'm thinking that maybe they'll send them all out together the beginning of next week or something? Do you know if we're referred to BSNX4?

Nicole! OMG I'm so excited to find someone else in the program! I've heard really great things about it! Did you apply to both programs and have to withdraw the traditional? lol, I was like screaming at Lee to take it and burn it. haha. I was so excited. Can you private message me (I'm not sure how to do that) ? Congrats to you! I cannot wait for the fall!

"talk about taking care of your own" - I couldn't say it any better! lol. I actually have some pretty strong connections with the nursing department at MSU, I'm MSU alumni, and I STILL didn't get in! lol. This is the third time I've applied. I honestly have no idea what they're looking for. I did not have the highest undergrad GPA, but I pretty much 4.0'd most of the prereqs, I have quite a bit of health care experience, and I thought my references were pretty great. Like I said, It doesn't really bother me anymore, I just find it strange that MSU has rejected so many of it's own. I got into the accelerated program at UM-Flint. It's 16 months and I'm extremely excited about it. When I first met with an advisor at UM-Flint (actually at the LCC University Center b/c that is one of their satellite locations) she was so encouraging. I've never met with someone who doesn't even know me that was so encouraging about my education. I took 3 classes (8 credits) there last semester, and though the grading scale is harder (93% and above is a 4.0 instead of the normal 90 or 91%), I really enjoyed my classes and instructors, and I 4.0'd all of them. A lot of the prereqs are the same as MSU's program, so if you're still looking I would definitely look into UM-Flint's accelerated program. I know it's 16 months, which is a little longer than MSU's program. BUT-the way I see it is either I'll have a little longer to learn such a huge amount of information OR they'll include even more information, which I think is great for student nurses! Anywho, I'm very excited, and if anyone has any questions about UM-Flint's program, please feel free to contact me. Also, Lansing Community College (LCC) has a very well known nursing program. I believe their accelerated application is due by June 1st. It's 14 months long. Then, the University Center at LCC offers online (or hybrid if you choose) RN-BSN classes through UM-Flint. That would've been my back up option, and I think it's a good option.

I took Pharm online through Lansing Community College (LCC). You do, however, need to physically go to the testing center at LCC for each exam or set up a proctored location. On another note I GOT IN to University of Michigan - Flint's accelerated second degree program!! I know it's not what this thread is about, but it is U of M, and I'm shouting it from the roof tops. I'm so excited! I'm still waiting to hear from UM-Ann Arbor, but I'm so excited to be accepted into an accelerated program, and a great one at that! Good luck to everyone!

I didn't get in, but I'm not that upset about it. I've heard really bad things about MSU's ABSN program. It was not my top choice. I found out this week that I did get into another ABSN program. We will have to move, but it was my #2 choice of the 5 programs I applied to. yay! Still waiting to actually hear from the #1 choice. Good luck to the rest of you!