Hartley

I don't believe they favor local applicants more so. HSRT test was like any other IQ test, I think that most any applicant to Loma Linda regardless of the program has to take it. There is no way to study for it, so don't worry. The HSRT is pretty much a formality in the application process, so i don't think it plays a very big factor in applicant selection, especially in a program that has other very specific criteria like the CRNA program.

Okay okay, OG Tubes are a "best practice" type of thing is what I was trying to imply.

Only when they are intubated? Or is just everyone just getting tubes dropped into them? I would assume its protocol to have an OG thrown in with an ET tube to prevent aspiration of gastric contents.

Sure I suppose you could say that, and in reality you could probably find some truth in that. However, you could probably say that about any profession. The bigger issue though is probably the changing face of healthcare and the shape of the economy these days. Still though regardless of what happens out there, your still going to make more money than any other nursing profession. For me I feel like its worth it for my career satisfaction alone, I can't possibly imagine being a staff nurse for the rest of my life. Plus remember those baby boomers are retiring... rignt? Seems like they've been retiring for ever now.

If its any consolation im sure that you would easily get right into school after a year. Your biggest issue is going to be to convince your ICU unit to let you work there knowing that you will be leaving soon.

You can do it man! I was 21 when i started nursing school and decided that CRNA was what i was going to work toward. Heck, i figured even if i didn't make it i would still have a great career as a nurse. 5 years later now and I'll be starting anesthesia school this fall. During that time, i grew up a whole lot, ended up getting married, and had a baby too. You can do it if i can trust me. Keep your eyes on the prize. It won't be an easy path, but you'll will get there! Take everything one day at time. Good Luck!

Super excited to have an interview scheduled in February, gotta admit im terribly worried about what types of questions they will ask. Been studying and reviewing everything I possibly can to prepare for it. So it seems like anything you put on your application is fair game, so you better know it inside and out? Anybody have any other recommendations to prepare for other than IABP questions?

I know it seems to vary from program to program but would anyone recommend taking an intro/survey of organic/bio chem class? Does anyone have any knowledge of whether this would satisfy CRNA school requirements. My BSN degree did not include any chemistry classes, though i have taken some basic college chem in the past. In researching O-Chem classes im finding them to be varied to some extent, some colleges seem to offer a survey or into course organic course, in which no other pre-req's are necessary. However, on the other hand i have noticed that the typical Organic chem 1 and 2 seem to require 2 semesters or so of general chem to even take the class. So depending on how my current classes transfer, worst case scenario i would end having to take as much as 3 semesters of chemistry in order to have just one Organic chem class under my belt. Anyone else in a similar situation? I know some schools do not require any chem at all. Has anyone gotten away with the intro or survey classes? Or do i just need to buckle down for the next year and a half an take these silly classes? Im also working full time, plus trying to study for the GRE and CCRN... Thanks everyone

I do agree that retaking them would be to my advantage, yet i cant help but try and evaluate the whole picture, will these classes be the deciding factor in acceptance or not? Is it worth it to concentrate on these or try to pick up some organic chemistry, or is both the answer? Its tough to know, it may just depend on the school and the competitiveness of the applicants applying with me at the time. I suppose im still about a year or so out of applying so i have some time to determine the best path. Thanks again

They are undergrad glasses, im taking at kellogg community college here in MI. However they are online, so it seems that retaking them is actually possible while working full time, however, it they may require quite a large time commitment.

I'm currently pursuing the CRNA route. I've just completed my BSN and my overall GPA around 3.5 or so. My question pertains to retaking of sciences classes, specifically Anatomy and Physiology. I'm enrolled to retake them both starting the September 1st (online) because I originally had a C+ and a B- respectively. Not sure why i did poorly in those classes, i feel it was perhaps early in my college career. Anyway, I have A's in all my other science classes (chem, patho, microbiology,ect). Now my question relates to CRNA schools looking at the whole transcript picture, they will obviously see that i retook these classes, as they are going to be from a different institution. However, will they just accept the ones with better grades instead? My old classes won't be erased from my overall GPA unless they selectively decide not to use the old classes at all. I signed up to take these classes a while back thinking that they will be no sweat, and that is probably the truth if i had the time, however, retaking both at the same time while working full time and transitioning to a new unit (MICU) is causing me to have second thoughts. I know schools want your science classes to be 3.0 or better, and cumulatively my sciences are above a 3.0, but not individually. It it really worth it to retake the A+P classes? On the whole i really rather just retake my C+ grade over, concentrate on the GRE, and then figure out a way to work in O-chem next semester. Anyone have experience retaking classes for CRNA school? Or have any advice on whats is important to concentrate on and whats not. Thanks

I personally don't believe so, however, i'm not certain. Either way im signed up to retake A+P 1 and 2 here in September at a community college. Crossing my fingers...

Thanks for the reply and the advice, i appreciate it. I like your take on it, right now i have no guarantee what will happen two years down the road, however, i can guarantee hard work and dedication to my unit day in and day out to the best of my ability for the current known future. Thanks everyone!

Well, i hope that my managers are as understanding as yours.

Well here is my question, i have a few ICU positions that have opened and have scheduled interviews with me. I am between a rock and a hard place, if i tell them the truth that i will begin applying for CRNA schools in 2 years, they may not hire me. I have had one manager say that he wants me to have a time like of about 4-5 years before starting to look for CRNA schools otherwise they can't hire me because it is too expensive. I know that there is no certainty regarding getting in to CRNA school with 2 years of ICU experience, however, i do not want to wait five years before applying. (not to mention that i would have to retake many classes as schools want recent science I'm not wanting to leave these jobs high and dry, but i dont want to work 5 years, when 1-2 is required by schools. So is it better to be honest and see if these positions will accommodate me in regards to my true career goals? Or is it better to say that CRNA is a goal but far down the road (lie basically). I don't want to be dishonest, but i don't want to be discriminated against because of my career goal either. Anyone have any advice? If i do leave before they want me to will a manager give me a bad reference to a CRNA school? Are there win-win situations out there? Thanks!