cdbranch13

Hello, I'll be graduating from Nursing School in May with my BSN and would like some insight on the path to becoming a CRNA in the future. I'll start with some generic information about myself, discussing my activities, qualifications, grades etc,. Talk about my hopeful plan, and after that I will welcome any ideas/comments/questions, good or bad. I'll be 21 at graduation, turning 22 shortly after I begin practicing. I started working as a per diem Student Nurse Patient Care Tech at a local Magnet Certified hospital last January. I worked full-time this past summer, working overnights, handling anywhere from 7 patients to the whole floor, but averaged 13 patients per assignment. Here learned how to perform phlebotomy, ADL assistance, and EKG's. The unit itself has 28 beds, primarily general med/surg patients, with the specialty population of bariatrics making up approximately 25% of the floor at any given time. I have been offered a job on this floor after graduation, and plan on staying here for 1-2 years to get my fundamentals down. I originally was going to go into the ICU, but my most respected clinical instructor, an ACNP, advised us that he thinks all student should get some med/surg in before moving to a specialty. I originally did not want to do this, but eventually realized maybe I should, in order to get basic skills down and be positive the ICU would be for me. About me: Student Nurses' Association President of my school's chapter. Attended NSNA Annual convention. 3.82 GPA including nursing 95th percentile in all standardized test, "99% chance of passing NCLEX" Scholarly Publication in my college's undergraduate review Nursing School Undergraduate Curriculum Committee Student Ambassador that spoke to state accreditation board when school was being re-accredited Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society With my 5 minute soapbox pitch, what do you think I should do next as I work towards CRNA school? I want to be more marketable by the time I make that decision. Do you think I'm selling myself short going Med Surg or is it a good idea prior to doing the ICU? When I decide to do ICU, I'm going to transfer to the Level I trauma hospital affiliated with my hospital, what specialty should I do? I was thinking SICU or Cardiovascular, but there is also burn/trauma, neuro, and MICU. Volunteering? I've never done it but would consider it when I have more time. Would this help? any comments/questions/concerns, good or bad, are welcome and I thank you in advance!

I was thinking U of R because I know either way that I want to go back to school and earn at least my masters if CRNA isn't in my cards, so if I went to U of R I can imagine having them help with that would be a lot easier.

Thank you for the information everyone, sorry for not replying i"ve had finals this week

Hey guys, I want to thank you all for your advice and commenting; it really means a lot and you guys have some great information. I apologize for not writing back sooner I've been studying for finals all day the past two days. A lot of you experienced nurses mention that prior to going into ICU, you typically start off at med surg. I'm curious, what exactly is med surg? I'm going to do some research of my own but I'm sure in a paragraph one of you could sum it up better than a whole article online can. Once again, Thank you all!

I'm not quite sure my class size, it's around 100-130 people I believe, but I noticed the same trend that A LOT of people want to be CRNA's as well. Whether it's the attractive salary or if it is the actual job I don't know. I can't imagine paying all this money a year and not passing boards that would be awful. Thank you for your advice and commenting as well, I planned on living the cheapest lifestyle possible the first couple years to get rid of my 120k-ish debt as fast as possible

This is correct,and I'm all for constructive criticism, but I asked for information regarding CRNA, not someone criticizing my personality, and especially not someone criticizing my personality based on them taking what I said the wrong way.

Credentials probably wasn't the greatest word choice. I really was seeing if I'm on track or not

Wow I see where the optimist name comes from! Thanks for the words of encouragement not only for the nursing aspect, but the mental aspect as well.

Thank you wtbcrna for the information, but I knew all of this already. More so I was looking for someone to look at my credentials

Focks, great advice, I've honestly never heard of that before but that seems brilliant! Definitely will be studying my behind off for the GRE. I've done a little research on the GRE and it seems like SATs for grown ups, is this fairly accurate?

Yuppers, great advice, thank you so much. The 2 years you recommended was exactly what I was planning on at the very least; I don't ever want to be mediocre. As far as shadowing goes, I really haven't had the time to do it yet, I plan on doing something of that variety either this summer or next summer after I start clinicals and get my feet wet.

Thanks for the advice Milk, as I've stated above I am focused on getting my RN at the moment; this post was just to get my feet wet and uncover the truth that most bs for profit websites don't tell you. However, with all due respect that last segment where you quoted me was uncalled for. When I get good grades I keep it to myself, and only tell my closest friends as you do. I help many people in my classes who aren't getting the material and tutor/study with people who are my friends. Thanks for the advice, but I don't need someone ******** on my dreams because they took something the wrong way.

Thank you for the words of encouragement, you don't understand how much it helps; Definitely gave me a boost as I go into finals next week! I'm definitely loving this journey that I'm on, and quite honestly nothing really brightens my day more than getting a test grade back and doing better than your peers, as well as teachers telling you you received the highest grade. I am both excited and nervous for starting real nursing school next year and making a difference in the lives of others.

Morificeko I'm taking it one step at a time, believe me. Can't get to D without going through A,B and C. I'm just trying to get a feel for CRNA and see if I have chance. Thanks for your reply!

Admin, Thanks for looking at my credentials, believe me, I'm working my ass off to make mama proud!