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!

I'm currently finishing my BSN degree here this fall while and working on a med-surg floor. I'm (patiently) waiting to land an ICU position hopefully sooner than later here in the coming months. A this point it looks applying for CRNA school starting in 2013 is my first shot, how many different schools did you apply to? My GPA is around 3.5, hopefully i can wrangle up a competitive score on the GRE, assuming that some school out there will accept 2 years or less of ICU experience. How many different schools is it realistic to try applying to? 3? 5? My first thought is to aim for schools that don't have large chem requirements, as i probably wont get a chance to take any O-chem until 2012-ish or so, but not all schools require o-chem. (there are no chemistry classes involved in my BSN degree) Did you think in-state vs out of state? In state is obviously cheaper. Would appreciate any input, Thanks!

Just make it a B+!

Though i know you were wanting responses from CRNA's, i can tell you that im pursuing that track and am in kind of the same place as you. I have my BSN, i have been working for the past year as a nurse im also 24. However, i still am hoping to switch into the ICU in order to get the needed experience soon. Anyway, i think you just need to ask yourself what you really want out of life career wise. I mean thats awesome your already in AA school and AA'S pretty much make as much as CRNA's, only draw back is smaller scope of practice i think?/less states you can work in. Here's the other hand - switching to CRNA - for someone with your background and current options i don' think its even worth it. Look its going nearly as long to: 1. Get into/finish your AS in nursing (generally 2 years even though u have transfer credit) 2. Work in the ICU for a min of 1 year (thats if you can get in right away as a new grad) 3. You may need more that 1 year of experience in the ICU - possible 2-3 until you're accepted 4. Finish CRNA school 2.5 years Thats a minimum of 4.5 years if everything works out perfectly for you (jobs fall into your lap). So the question you need to ask yourself: "is it worth 4.5 years to become a CRNA over an AA?" I know i know that AA school is 2 years still but.... Just go to med school and become an anesthesiologist - with your pre-med background that is the only logical choice i can see if your insistent on switching careers, its just not worth it to become a CRNA with the options you have. As always, what ever choice you make is going to be the best choice for you! Best of luck! And welcome to the medical field - its great!

Okay, wait... So if my CNA tests positive for so and so, its my nursing license is at risk, as well as their CNA license? Did i hear that right?

I will be to be completing my BSN by May of 2012. Regardless though i will have to wait until i have the ICU experience. Im currently working as a RN with my associates, but not in an ICU unit, best case scenario is a move to the ICU in about 6 months, and spend the minimum of 1 year working there. So im talking 1.5 years out from now until experience wise i will meet the minimum requirements. I would be looking to apply to CRNA schools starting in the fall of 2012. However, a lot of the of the application due dates are months before that, is it possible to apply and be considered before meeting all the requirements? I would meet them by the time the program actually started. All this is considering i they would accept me with only the 1 year of ICU experience. 2013 is probably a more realistic date, but is it possible to apply before meeting all the requirements?

Im here in Michigan, im a new grad and got a job in the neurovascular unit. Seems like during the orientations there a few new grads maybe 1-3, and some with experience. At my wife's hospital its about the same plus there a lot of people doing a nurse externship or something like that. However, i got 2 job offers at LTC's, seems those are a good bet where ever you go. I know a lot of my classmates in found jobs in Ohio in only 2 months.

Im a new nurse, and just got my first job on a neurovascular unit, part time nights. Now what im wondering is does a part-time job reflect well on a resume? Im planning to eventully move on into the ICU in a year or so, and i took this job to get my foot in the door over at the hosptial (well i took what i could get as a new grad :)) but im excited about it none the less. Im not sure if i really had a choice between part and full, i mentioned part time during the interview because im also getting my BSN, this situation seems to work out great for me. But will working part time hurt me in the long run? Like after i have worked a year and am applying for new positions will the managers think well he has a year.... but it was only part-time.. Has anyone else worked part time in the past? Is it usually easy to pick up additional shifts here and there?

Thanks, that seems to make sense, understandable the process takes a while

Any nurse managers or recruiters out here know exactly whats involved in a new hire? Just wondering what goes on behind the doors I guess im thinking in terms of steps involved like: 1. submit application/resume 2. recruiters look it over- do back ground check 3. interview 4. check references/previous job manager 5. submit to HR? 6.?

I guess ill kind of add to my post here, What is the schedule like during CRNA school? do you ever necessarily have a day off where i could stay home doing homework while also watching the kiddies when my wife goes into work? ...just trying to give myself "peace of mind" that if i don't get in right away it will still be okay. Thanks!