CCRNCMC11

I did that as a new grad. I worked ft in icu and prn in ER at two different hospitals. Granted, I worked as a tech in an icu during school, I did 3 months of clinicals in the ER prior to graduating, and I am an EMT. So it can be done, but it was stressful at first and the learning curve is very high.

@ICUNole Your stats look great! Don't forget to shadow a crna if you haven't already. Also, if you can, I would suggest taking another chem besides chem 1. For example, I took an intro to organic Chem and biochem course that was a higher level than gen chem, but not as tough as full blown Organic. Community college would be completely acceptable. I wouldn't take Barry's course unless you are only applying to Barry because it doesn't transfer. I have classmates that took it, however, and they all said it was a very good class! Congrats to everyone else! I just started the third semester. This semester we have class all day Monday and then clinicals the rest of the week which adds up to 40+ hours per week. The hours are tough but it's so cool when you get your rhythm and skills down. If anyone has any questions about the program let me know!

During the first orientation week they had a dinner for us and family. Really nice! Oh, and open bar!

Well you know that you have to get your BSN first, work in the ICU for minimum one year and usually the average incoming student has three years of experience. Not to mention all the other hoops to jump through. As an RN you'll work 3 12 hour shifts a week. Once you're in crna school you'll spend 80+ hours a week studying, in class, and in clinicals. So you should be more worried about the process of becoming a CRNA before you worry about what life is like as a CRNA. But they typically can work any kind of shift. I've seen 8 hour shifts, ten hour shifts, and twelve or thirteens. Plus, you have to take call as well.

General, organic, and biochemistry by Katherine denniston. I believe last semester they used 8th edition. And for anyone talking it this fall, providing he uses the same book, get the study guide book that accompanies it! The class is very difficult because he writes his own questions. They are open book tests, so he tends to make the tests difficult. Do the questions at the end of each chapter to familiarize yourself with the content.

I remember I interviewed on a Monday and found out by Friday. And I remember getting the letter a few weeks later.

There's no way to get a syllabus this early. I can tell you that the fall semester starts around August 24th and last year the classes (Chem and professional aspects) were on Wednesdays once a week. They could be completely different now. The good news is that Dr. Dick records all of his lectures so if you missed one it wouldn't be a big deal, or you can always attend anywhere you have Internet access. And the exams are open book/timed exams that you take can anywhere. As long as you use the "examsoft" software that he will have you download on your laptop. Hope that helps.

Exactly. The head start classes are scheduled just as they are if you took them in the program. There are live lectures and exams. There really isn't any working ahead at your own pace. If anyone is taking these keep in mind that you need to treat them like you are in the program. Meaning don't try to work full time and vacation as often as you would like. Especially chemistry and physics. Very very tough course, especially if you have not taken organic before. I would suggest taking it as headstart because it's even harder when you have other classes to study for. If you have any other questions I would be glad to answer!

I'm in school now and I've had a couple of scrub techs and circulators ask me that same question. As long as you have ICU experience it will not hurt you to have OR experience. You'll be better prepared for knowing about various surgical procedures and how the whole team works together, etc etc. That being said, OR experience is no substitute for ICU experience and I will tell you that you know nothing about what the crna is doing. Sure you see them induce and intubate but after that curtain goes up you won't see much and you don't know how much is running through their head every second of that case. Good CRNAs make it look easy. And as an OR RN you don't actually have any direct care of the patient. In the ICU you will learn how to manage vents, drips, run codes, manage lines, etc. Keep in mind that 1 year is the bare minimum and they really won't count other experience. And no matter how much you think you know going into school, once you get into school and into that new advanced role, you realize how little you knew! (I'm speaking from personal experience, no knock towards anyone out there!)

It doesn't limit your chances. You are accepted and then during your interview you rank the clinical sites you want to be at. Then sometime in December they place you in one. Generally orlando, Tampa, and south Florida have the bigger classes because more people live in these areas. I'm at west palm and so far the clinical sites are great. So I would encourage anyone from out of state to choose either west palm or Hollywood campuses.

There are several people in my class that have less than 2 years experience. The class median is 3 years. I agree with previous posters, your icu experience doesn't make you a good crna. You can spend 20+ years in the icu and you still don't know squat about anesthesia and how to think like an advanced provider. I also disagree with another poster up there about testing. I think the ability to take a test is critical to success in crna programs because 99% of your grades are from tests! You could be the best care provider in the world, but if you suck at test taking then you will fail. Schools want to make sure you can do two things: not kill your patients and pass the board exam. So, in paper your stats are great! Definitely find good letters of recommendation though. Shadow a crna several times and get a reference there or maybe from a doc that you get along with.

4 years experience. 2 in cardiac ICU, 2 years CVICU. Now SRNA

Save as much as you can before you start! Also, don't plan on working at all, you will not have any time. Plan on taking out a lot of loans. Hopefully you have a spouse that works but if not then it's not the end of the world. Just think of it as an investment into a great field!

Depends on the school. I didn't get one from my manager because I didn't want to announce I was leaving, so I got one from my preceptor. Usually as long as it's someone in a supervisory role of some kind.

Congrats! I remember I interviewed on a Monday and found out by that Friday. And just so you all know, at the interview they have you rank your top 3 campuses. Most people get their top site (especially if you interview this early) but you don't get an official placement until November. But if you want west palm, you'll get it because not a lot of people already live here compared to the larger sites like Orlando and Tampa.