SEWRN

Nice!! I’m in the cohort ahead of you so see you soon!! Feel free to shoot me a message if u have any q’s!

Congrats on the acceptance. Did you decide if you’re going to rush

It wasn't specific clinical knowledge. She asked about my experience as a nurse, description of the unit I worked at and the patient population, and questions were more like behavioral interviewing for the clinical setting--Tell me about a time that demonstrated your problem solving skills in a situation that required your immediate attention. Good luck!

Hi did you interview yet? In case you haven't, they're pretty laid back seem to really just want to get to know you. There was an short essay prompt to type on the computer. Then you get some time talking to a current student in a group setting while you wait to interview with two faculty members. One interview is more clinically focused and seeing how you deal with problems/challenges in the clinical setting. The other is more focused on your likelihood to thrive in the program? your support during school and coping mechanisms, studying habits, etc. Not sure if it's still like that but good luck!

Thanks so much for your encouragement and insight. I'm sooo anxious and losing sleep all week over this! And definitely need to hear from people like you..that you are able to juggle both school and the kids!

Cticunurse, It's nice to hear you still had time to spend with family. How far are you into the program now? How old are your kids? And have you found you're still able to consistently have time for them now that you're farther into the program? My program officially starts in a couple weeks and I am now having major cold feet! But looking at my plan of study, it seems pretty doable as I don't have any core classes left by the time clinicals start-only anesthesia class and clinical each semester. I feel like I won't ever know unless I try but am just worried about the kids and the hubs. How do you feel about the program now and balancing your time with family?

Hi Tofu81, I ended up taking the ICU position in the community hospital because as others have advised, it counts toward my ICU experience. I left for a level 1 teaching hospital about a year later. Although there is definitely a difference in acuity between the ICUs in the two hospitals, I'm glad I initially took the ICU position over the stepdown in a teaching hospital--the ICU at the community hospital still had very sick patients at times, and still had a lot of vents, drips, etc. that opened my world to the ICU. I was definitely more prepared by the time I went to the ICU at the teaching hospital. Also t havthere is some truth about having more autonomy in the community hospital because you don't have residents at your fingertips. As ICU-BSN stated below, take the path of least resistance to the ICU. Get your foot in the door to any ICU (community or teaching) and transfer when you find yourself ready for more challenging, complex patients. Teaching hospitals do take into account that you already had exposure in an ICU, and will be more willing to take you on into their ICU. I also saw your post regarding minimum ICU experience. I also asked that question and was hopeful to apply at the 1-2 year mark. However, after starting in the ICU as a new grad, I wanted to focus on being the best ICU nurse that I can be, and placed CRNA plans temporarily in the back burner to focus on where I needed to be -- to learn critical thinking, care compassionately for these really sick patients, manage complex patients, learn new technical skills, multiple drips, etc. At some point, I realized while it is good to have a plan, focusing on the "time" required was a bit irrelevant as people learn at different paces. Most people don't start feeling "comfortable" as a new nurse in the ICU (or any area) until they reach the 2-year mark. At that point, you are just getting your feet wet and actually understanding what you're doing. I didn't feel comfortable taking the plunge until recently after my 5 year mark, and made it into 2 schools in my area. Could I have applied and tried earlier? Yes. Would I have successfully completed a program? Probably so. However, not gaining enough experience/knowledge & critical thinking in much needed areas, and applying/entering too soon might have been done at the expense of my patients' safety when I become an SRNA/CRNA. While I wished I applied a little earlier due to time's sake, I'm glad I waited until I felt like I got the ICU nursing out of my system. In short, focus on your learning & development, and being the best ICU nurse you can be; and the timing will work itself out. You'll know when you're ready. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions. Happy to help.

That is what I focused on--to be a good ICU nurse first before anything else. Fast forward 5 years, I'm accepted to two programs for 2018 that I'm trying to decide between. Didn't think I would make it in either and didn't think I'd have the problem to have to choose! It is a good problem to have though!

I have read many posts on how flexible hours can be while others say you have to take a lot of call and stay until cases are done. I just got accepted into two programs and am expecting school to be grueling and a huge time commitment. but am trying to gauge how it would be like after coming out from school. The hospital im at, Crna's work a regular 7-5 schedule, no call/weekend/holidays. Would like to see how common this is. How likely is it to be able to get a job with no call or at least very minimal? I heard some hospitals offer no call, while bigger Hospitals with residents require call but it's also fairly easy to find residents to cover call.

Because of my personality and ocd-ness,My friends and family still find it hard to believe that I'm a nurse in the ICU, and I've been doing it for five years. They are proud of me and never discouraged me to do so, but even now, they have difficulty picturing me doing things that are required of nurses--time management, acting quickly, cleaning endless amounts of secretions, poop, etc. you get the idea! So go for it if that's what you would love! They will come around and see and be happy once hey see how happy and capable you are while doing it!

Yes Northshore interviews are done for the hear

Hi! Just got accepted into rush for summer 2018! Wondering if you can give me a little insight on how much time you really spend in class vs studying vs clinicals. I have two young kids but really want to make this happen. But also would like to know more about how the schedule is like to prepare myself and family for this

I got accepted into northshore and rush for next year. Given the time you posted this, wondering what your thoughts are about crna school and the profession as a whole, now that you're on the other side. I too have a family (4yr old and 2 yr old) and am super anxious about the time I would have to sacrifice for school

Hi pink4! Was just reading this thread as I'm possibly starting crna school next year. Wondering if you ended up applyingand what you're up to now! í ½í¸Š

Very interesting your experience and aspirations just sort of mapped out my nursing career. I also did poorly as an undergrad, gpa I also considered Med school and decided it wasn't for me as I was studying for the mcats. Already had a bachelors in psych when I decided to go into nursing. Got accepted into an accelerated bsn and Rush for the entry level msn. Considering the prerequisites and amount of time I needed to spend on the accelerated bsn (2.5 years) it didn't make sense to me to go for another bachelors. Went to Rush for several reasons. It was in the quarter system when I attended - finished in 21 months. Came out with a masters that also allowed me to sit for the cnl and potentially go into leadership later on. Also, what attracted me to Rush was that I would already have some graduate courses knocked out in preparation for crna school--and also being able to prove that I am a capable student at the graduate level. Though I have a ton of loans I'm still trying to pay off (the only aspect I wish was otherwise), I never regretted making the decision to go to Rush for school bc of the clinical experience and the education. Graduated 2012, already had a job lined up in the ICU at graduation. Many of my peers in other schools had difficulty landing a job or substantial clinical experience at the time. All this said, crna was always in the back of my mind. Fast forward 5 years, I have been an Icu nurse in a tertiary hospital and am at crossroads. Just got accepted to Rush and another school for crna! In my application and interview, I was able to point out how well I did at the graduate level and that I am well prepared. Aside from school, my manager encouraged me to apply for the nurse educator role at my unit even though she knows I will be going back to school--because of the way rush has already prepared me for quality initiatives and I already have a MSN. I think as much as people say schools/employers don't look at where you went to school, etc. I would have to say my experience says otherwise. There's never a 'right' answer and a straight path for such decisions. You can only base it what your goals are and run with the program that's the best fit. If you have more questions, I'd be happy to help.