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Hello! This is my first stat evaluation thread, but I see that they are so common. I would really like a genuine evaluation of my chances of not only getting an interview, but actually enrolling in a program. I live in NY and that is where I would plan on attending school (I know that there are 4 schools in NY). I also know that these stats are very dependent on how well I interview. I am mostly self-conscious about my GRE scores, but I know that I can take it again. A.A.S in Nursing GPA: 3.4 BSN in Nursing GPA: 3.9 Science/Math GPA: 4.0 GRE Verbal: 152 GRE Quantitative: 148 Waiting on writing score. At this time I have one year of experience in a Surgical/Trauma ICU at a Level 1 Trauma Academic Center in NY. This is my only nursing experience. I do not plan on applying to school until one year from now when I have two years of experience. I plan on taking the CCRN this winter as well as Organic Chem.

Thank you everyone for your advice! I received some additional information today: vents are common at this particular community hospital, but hemodynamic monitoring is close to none. Certainly this experience alone will not prepare me for CRNA school. What about one year of this community hospital ICU? Would this adequately prepare me to switch hospitals into a higher acuity ICU? Or would a year of med/surg experience make me a better candidate before switching to a high-acuity ICU? All of your advice so far is wonderful and much appreciated.

Hello, I am a prospective CRNA student and I am currently considering where I must acquire my critical care experience. Can anyone tell me if an ICU of a community hospital (approximately 120 beds total) may provide adequate experience? While this is important, my bigger question is this: would a community hospital on my prospective SRNA resume make me a competitive candidate as I look for CRNA schools? Thank you in advance for your advice.

Hello, My ultimate goal is to be certified as a CRNA. I'm sure you are aware that one of my requirements is one year of ICU experience. So right now, my goal is to get a job as an RN in the ICU. I am currently in my 2nd semester towards my associate's in nursing. For now, I am interested in a job as a hospital tech, preferably one that will help me get oriented into the ICU setting. I posted here because I would really appreciate the opinion from a professional ICU nurse, regarding EKG techs and ICU PCAs; would one be better than the other? I mean that in regards to giving me adequate ICU experience. Thanks for your help!

Yes, that is certainly something I'd like to know. Keep in mind, however, I have only completed my first semester's worth of nursing school. :)

Thank you, that was extremely informative. What are BON sites?

Hello! I have a question. Several graduate nursing schools that I've looked at have clinical sites in more than one state, and so they require that you have your RN license for "the state of Massachusetts" or "the state of New York." I had originally thought that your RN license was a national license and so encompassed all 50 states. Is this incorrect? Is there something extra that I need to do in order to get an RN license outside of my own state? This is assuming I pass the boards. Thanks!

Hello! I'm a first year nursing student, currently working on my ADN. Obviously in order to apply to CRNA schools, I'm going to need my BSN (or any other related field BS). Herego, I'm going to have to tranfer eventually. One of my priority goals in order to build an impressive resume is gaining the ICU experience. This was when I had the idea that perhaps I could be able to get my BSN online while working (whether schooling part time or not, I haven't decided). It would be very convenient for me. Here's my question: Forget all other variables that need to be considered in order to be adequate for CRNA school. For an individual who hypothetically surpasses ALL requirements, however got his/her BSN ONLINE, are his/her chances of getting accepted any less than someone who got their BSN through traditional classroom schooling? I'm curious, thanks!

Hello! I'm currently a nursing student, beginning my nursing career through an associate's degree program at my community college. I'm only about 8 weeks in. At least, I hope there will be a "nursing career" in my future. I was even hoping to continue on to graduate school, but lately I've been feeling very discouraged. This previous week I had my 2nd day of clinicals. The first day during the previous week went wonderfully. This second time went great as well, until it was my turn to administer medications under my instructor's supervision, of course. Earlier I had volunteered to do so; I'm eager to get as much experience as possible. I even thought I was prepared; we had practiced using the computers in our simulation lab as well as the machine administering the meds. I knew how to confirm the appropriate dosage and how to identify the correct patient. So as I was collecting the medications, my instructor continuously asked me what I was doing, in a tone of voice that suggested I was doing something wrong. I kept trying to answer her, but it seems that none of my answers were what she was looking for. To this day, I cannot figure out what she was trying to get out of me. I think she may have wanted me to orally tell her what I was looking for, but as I told her the med name, the dosage ordered, and the dosage provided, she still raised her voice. She began to be a little condescending; she made it clear that I was really disappointing her. This idea and the fact that I could not figure out what was wrong really triggered my anxiety. I then had to confirm the administering of the meds through the computer, which was pretty foreign to me. It was only my 2nd day using them. The combination of my lack of experience and my anxiety caused me to take a lot of time to figure the computers out. My instructor made it clear that I was yet again disappointing her. Then came the actual administration of the meds. My patient was awesome, which helped me relax a little, but I was still under stress as my instructor pointed out potential mistakes. Yes, I did begin to forget simple, fundamental rules; that's usually what happens when my anxiety acts up, my mind blanks and I freeze. Ultimately, I still feel embarassed that I thought I knew what I was doing. My instructor afterwards told me that I was the only one who administered meds that day who had trouble. I wish I hadn't disappointed her. I guess what I'm trying to find here is some advice from all you former 1st year nursing students out there. Is it normal to feel as incompetent as I do 8 weeks into the program? Do you think that someone like me will be able to make it through this program? I truly want to succeed, but good grades aren't enough; one must pass the clinical portion of the program in order to move on.