ArmyTwin

Hello, I'm wondering if anyone has any recent insight of the onboarding length for CRNAs in 2023? Also, are you happy with your decision to go to the VA as a CRNA? Compensation package? Pros vs Cons Any advice? I used to work at the VA as a RN and I loved it. Thanks in advance!

[emoji16]Congrats everyone! Don't forget to join us in the Facebook group once you've been accepted! Search Barry CRNA Class of 2019

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences mwach!! If there are any South Florida/Hollywood SRNAs that can share their clinical experiences we would love to hear them [emoji5]️

Maybe you're on the wrong page because we don't have any pending requests.

Hi ICUNURSE Sorry I'm late responding...I didn't receive a notification...but ditto to what kbl said. If you don't use it you lose it and it's not used as a deciding factor for acceptance. Good luck to you!!

[emoji322][emoji122]Congrats everyone who just got accepted!! Don't forget to join us on FB search for "Barry CRNA Class of 2019" [emoji122][emoji322]

Frustration turned into excitement in just a few hours!Awesome!![emoji12] Congrats

Nwhitman- So sorry you're having problems. I resent the link through FB and also adjusted the privacy settings which states that anyone can find the group. Search "Barry CRNA Class of 2019"

Nwhitman21- I'll send the link to through your FB messages...thanks for the PM. If I missed anyone please PM your FB name or email so that I can add you.

Congrats to all who have been accepted and are interviewing soon!! I think it would be a great idea for us to have a FB group. I just created a private group and I can PM a link to all those who have been accepted. Lets get to know the class of 2019!!

Thanks! You can be accepted while your CCRN is pending. Go ahead and apply. We chose our preferred locations but are waiting for confirmation. I chose Hollywood.

You should be able to log in and see what's missing. I also received what appeared to be automatic emails periodically telling me what was missing.

Thanks!! No, I think that they're looking at your total package. I think you'll be just fine.

We received emails today. You can be accepted without PALS, CCRN, or their preferred GRE score as long as your achieve it before the start of the program. I have a 3.9 GPA (last 60), 3.8 undergrad, and 3.8 in sciences with 2 organic chems. 148/148 GRE (not great I know), and 3.5 in writing. Three years experience as a OR surgical tech in the Army, 2 years as a OR nurse, and 2 years ICU (by Jan 17'). BLS, ACLS, PALS, and already studying for CCRN which is required for my acceptance. I received constant feedback informing me what was missing from my file. Good luck everyone! I'm so excited about Barry's program!!!

Congrats classmate!

Accepted!!!

The interview went well...just nerve wrecking lol but they were really nice and tried to make us feel relaxed. Just trying to wait patiently for their decision.

I also received a call and email today for an interview. I accepted. I'm so excited! :)

I'm a OR nurse who transferred to the ICU without any bedside experience. I have been an OR nurse for 2 years and a scrub tech for many more. I actually made this big move from OR to ICU while relocating from NJ/PA to FL. I had no connections or affiliations to the hospital I'm now working at. I knew absolutely no one! I applied to many jobs over the course of a few weeks ICU, Tele/stepdown, and ER. Anything that could possibly help me get into the ICU. I was invited to interview for an ER training program there was an open house with on the spot interviews. I accepted. They were also interviewing for ICU training program and Tele. When I arrived I was asked to sign in and what position I was interviewing for. Without thinking my heart answered ICU. The recruiter remembered my name and asked if I was here for ER. I said yes but I really desire ICU!! I made a great first impression and to my surprise she called the ICU director down to interview me on the spot! Which was great for me since I flew down for just the day of interviews. I was offered other Tele/stepdown positions at other hospitals but this was exactly what I wanted. Just wanted you to know that it's not impossible! And I actually went through the training program with another OR nurse who had already been working at that hospital! Not all OR nurses are cut out for the ICU but the go-getter, highly anticipating, critical thinkers excel there and ICU managers know it! Look for training programs or a critical care course. Good luck to you!!

The classroom training I wasn't too fond of. It reminded me of nursing school all over again...long powerpoints, lots note taking, and redundancy & contradictions among instructors. The classroom instruction was back to the basics with A&P (so boring). I graduated with both my ASN and BSN in the past 3 years so all of this info was still very fresh to me. But this was probably great for those nurses who had been out of the classroom for 10+years. Integrating the disease processes and instructor real life stories were most interesting! It made sense of all that we do! There isn't really anything that you should be studying right now. I had the same question before I started so I completely understand where you are coming from. You'll have plenty of time. But I will say if you have time look over EKG rhythms. I didn't know much before starting other than the basic rhythms and I learned so much more in this course! The EKG lesson was great so pay close attention because you will have to pass an advanced EKG test. My absolute favorite part was clinicals and skills lab. I had an awesome preceptor who taught me a lot! I felt more than prepared when my orientation was over. I'm a quick learner by nature but I do have amazing coworkers who are resources when I have questions. Whenever you start make sure you study because many of my classmates had to retake test which takes away from your personal study time and other assignments. Also your director will hear about it. You'll be prepared for sure! Most of my classmates thought that the course dragged out longer than it needed to. Good luck!

I did the ICU training program with HCA although it wasn't the STARN program. It was 4 days a week. Two 12hr shifts in the ICU each week with two 8 hr shifts in the classroom/ simulation lab. That went on for 8 weeks followed by 5 weeks of only ICU orientation (3...12's). I've been off orientation for 3 weeks now. Congrats and enjoy!

And don't forget about those 10 paid federal holidays on top of the other paid days off as mentioned above. That's 49 paid days off a year! I loved it!

I went from an ASC to the VA and received the same comments from doctors and nurses about how horrible the VA is. I actually loved the VA and the OR in Philly. There were some kinks but what workplace doesn't? The benefits were great and the PTO is AMAZING!!! You'll earn 12 hours each pay period (every 2 weeks!) I love the paid time off!! I'm leaving the VA, the OR, and Philly all together to move to the Sunshine State in Florida. I just started working in the ICU. I only left the VA because they couldn't train me in the ICU (further my growth) which was unfortunate. I'm a vet and I loved taking care of veterans. Maybe one day I'll come back to the VA as a CRNA. I think you should explore the opportunity! But don't take my word for it 😁! Good Luck!

I'll send you a PM so that we can compare notes

I'm starting on Jan 12th. I just received the training schedule yesterday. The didactic training is going to be at JFK. Is University in the eastern division of HCA? If so you might be at JFK as well. Happy New Year!!