AlphaAgonist

Rush. Every time. Currently a DNP-CRNA student at Rush. I know someone who had the same deal TCU vs. Rush. He chose Rush for many reasons. You can PM me I can get you in touch with him or answer any questions you might have.

Yes, agree with above. Rankings are quite important as they are established by reputation within the crna community. "To quote U.S. News and World Report, the programs are “ranked based solely on input from educators at peer nursing institutions, who nominated up to 10 schools for excellence in each area; schools with the most votes are listed. Only fully accredited programs in good standing during the survey period are ranked.” Basically, each CRNA program administrator in the country is sent a questionnaire about competing CRNA schools. They are asked to rate the other programs on a scale of 1-5 (1 being “marginal” and 5 being “outstanding”). CRNA Schools with a score less than 2.0 are listed in alphabetical order as “No Rank”. Surveyors were instructed to select "don't know" if they did not have enough knowledge to rate a program."

Akron University has been known to take crna students from other schools for varying circumstances including yours from what I've heard

Nurse anesthesia. Full time, on campus. Class of 2017 DNP/CRNA

Yes, it adds value. Any new skill or experience adds value but it's not a necessity. It won't make you a better crna. It's just something to bolster your resume and show you have more autonomy and experience on your unit.

Truth is the CCRN is not as hard as people make it out to be. Take the CCRN. There will be plenty of people going the extra mile because they are hungry for this opportunity. Don't be the type who puts it in your letter or mentions your "plans" to take it during the interview the ad com can see right through it. It's just an excuse and you would better off not mentioning it at all unless they ask. Just take the test your 2 years critical care experience should be sufficient to pass. Study up on pharm moa, patho, hemodynamics and labs and take it.

They look at all the grades with preference to those who get A's in all course material. Do your best and try and get 4.0 throughout if you land in the 3.4-3.7 cumulative range you'll still have a good chance. Just do the best you can..

Are there any programs out there that offer post-DNP/CRNA tracks to earn a PhD in Neuroscience, Physiology or Pharmacology? Most of the curriculums I have seen do not count your DNP coursework towards a PhD in these areas. Is there any bridge programs or programs that do take this into consideration or are designed for CRNA's looking to expand their knowledge base? As an undergraduate nursing major, like many CRNA's, my nursing curriculum did not consist of 1 year General Chemistry, 1 year organic chemistry, 1 year Biochemistry, 1 year Calculus, 1 year Physics, etc. like the pre-med track pre-requisites that are often required to begin studying in these PhD programs. Thanks!

Science, nursing and other coursework in that order and ultimately the cumulative as well. Focus on getting mostly As.

I am basing this off of reviews from boards, curriculum review with clinical site but most of all what I've heard from practicing crnas and SRNAs that I had worked with in icu

I am pretty sure you will be hard pressed to find an Ivy League graduate from Columbia or UPenn who have trouble academically or feel unprepared clinically when out. The standard of education is without a doubt top notch for the caliber of university.

What is your dream school that you thought might be a shot in the dark to get into out of those 4 and when you did you said wow I can't believe I got into "insert school"? Wherever that is you need to go with your dreams and pursue that school irregardless of convenience to others around you and your current home. This is YOUR dream YOUR education. No one else's.

Ranked #3. Yes, rankings do matter. Look at how rankings are established. It speaks volumes if a competing school gives out excellent rankings to UPitt when surveyed. What it means is CRNA faculty across the nation share a consensus that UPitt offers a great learning environment for their students and produce excellent CRNAs. If prestige of the university was a factor school like Columbia and UPenn which are Ivy leagues would be in the top spots but they aren't less well known schools by the public are in those top spots. Second, they have 100% employment rate, 95% pass rate first time on NBCRNA. They have great rates for an excellent education as both in and out of state tuition and they were granted a maximum 10 year accreditation. They have a state of the art human simulator and lab. The hospitals you do clinical at are top notch and you get good regional experience from what I've read on the boards. I've read nothing but great things.

UPitt would be my first choice then VCU

ICU residency program, do undergraduate organic and/or biochemistry and graduate level statistics course to prove you can get A's in more difficult course work. While doing your ICU residency get ACLS & PALS. After 1 year ICU get CCRN and subspecialty certifications if possible like if work in CVICU get CMC and/or CSC. If in trauma ICU get TNCC and/or ATLS. Meanwhile, get involved in a unit council or committee and do some type of community involvement to show altruism. Do not tell your new coworkers of your intentions of CRNA school it always ends with negativity because people think you are using ICU as a stepping stone and this can hinder you from experiences such as IABP, CVVHD, OHS, Licox, etc. which show an advanced skill set and is marketable to have on your resume when applying.