DFW_RN

Get your CCRN, shadow a CRNA, and include both of those topics in your admission essay. If your gpa is at least a 3.4, you shouldn't have a problem getting interviews to at least half of the school that you apply to. When I applied to four different programs, I had 10 months of ICU and nursing experience at a 180 bed community hospital. My GRE score was only a 295. I graduated with a 3.81 gpa, worked as a monitor tech for 3 years during nursing school, and got my CCRN about a month before my first CRNA school interview. Of the four schools I applied to, I was offered four interviews. I was accepted into two programs and waitlisted at one. In my opinion, this is the order of what most schools are looking for. 1) GPA 2) How well your interview goes 3) CCRN or not 4) Your ICU experience 4) shadow experience 5) your GRE Do not give the faculty a reason to reject you for admission, with something that is STILL in your control (CCRN).

I chose the MSNA route mainly because at this time I do not want to eventually become a professor and I want to make at least $150k an entire year earlier (to get out of student loan debt!)

What did you think about their interview and the facility? I did not accept their interview offer, after being accepted into two other programs and paying deposits. South FL was very tempting though (coming from TX). Congrats on being accepted!

My advice is to stop thinking so much about becoming a CRNA, and start thinking about becoming a great ICU nurse. I have been accepted into two different CRNA programs and throughout nursing school, CRNA was always my goal and provided my motivation for everything. When I got into ICU, I was very surprised to learn how stressful it was and wondered what in the heck I got myself into. I seriously wanted to get out of nursing at times. It has been a rough 14 months, but I start CRNA school in August. If I could start nursing school all over again, being a great ICU nurse would have been my focus. I have heard many times that students that get in nursing to become CRNA's never make it to CRNA school, but the students that have a passion for taking care of sick patients do. Best of luck and I'm certainly not trying to discourage, just provide advice!

If you are pursuing a CRNA program, this is how I made my choice, because I was accepted into both a MSNA and DNP-A program. 1) Unless you eventually want to become a professor, there is not any difference in what you can do with the different degrees. 2) If you pursue a MSNA, that's at least $150k or so that you will make an entire year earlier. If you wanted to return for your DNP, it would be costly (about $40K), but it's still an option.

Do you have your CCRN? I only scored a 295 on the GRE and was accepted into two out of four programs, waitlisted at one. Not one professor asked about or referenced my GRE score, but in every interview I was asked if I had my CCRN, which thankfully I obtained it a month before my first interview. Your GRE scores are excellent, but without your CCRN, they will focus a lot less on your GRE scores. If you've got your CCRN, have a decent gpa, interview well, then you shouldn't have any problem with being accepted to at least half of the schools you apply to.

Get your CCRN, shadow a CRNA, and include both of those topics in your admission essay. You shouldn't have a problem getting interviews to at least half of the school that you apply to. When I applied to four different programs, I had 10 months of ICU and nursing experience at a 180 bed community hospital. My GRE score was only a 295. I graduated with a 3.81 gpa, worked as a monitor tech for 3 years during nursing school, and got my CCRN about a month before my first CRNA school interview. Of the four schools I applied to, I was offered four interviews. I was accepted into two programs and waitlisted at one. In my opinion, this is the order of what most schools are looking for. 1) GPA 2) How well your interview goes 3) CCRN or not 4) Your ICU experience 4) shadow experience 5) your GRE Hope this helps you and best of luck.

There is a lot of false information on this thread about what it takes to be accepted into CRNA school. When I applied to four different programs, I had 10 months of ICU and nursing experience at a 180 bed community hospital. My GRE score was only a 295. I graduated with a 3.81 gpa, worked as a monitor tech for 3 years during nursing school, and got my CCRN about a month before my first CRNA school interview. Of the four schools I applied to, I was offered four interviews. I was accepted into two programs and waitlisted at one. In my opinion, this is the order of what most schools are looking for. 1) GPA 2) How well your interview goes 3) CCRN or not 4) Your ICU experience 4) shadow experience 5) your GRE Hope this helps you and best of luck.

Anyone under contract or unable to get a reference letter from their manager should get a reference letter from their supervisor, charge nurse, or both. I have been accepted into three different programs after four interviews and my manager did not write references for me, rather my clinical supervisor. Most programs prefer the reference to come someone who works directly with the applicant (at the bedside), and not from the nurse manager. If you are unable to obtain the references, either you're not a good ICU nurse, or you should leave that facility in my opinion.

I was also waitlisted at UNF, but I'll either be going to UAB or TX Wesleyan. I'm trying to decide between those 2. The faculty at both of those programs seem to be "down to earth".

We get them in our CCU which I get floated to once every 3 weeks or so. If they ask, I would say that you have limited experience with them, but you know how to care for a pt with one and you know your hemodynamics.

Hello, I have been accepted into TX Wesleyan's CRNA program, as well as two other programs to begin this fall. I consider TX Wesleyan to be my top choice at this time. I am curious if anyone attending this program has switched or changed clinical sites from the site they were originally assigned in their acceptance letter? I know it mentioned in the video that we were required to watch before the interview that the site assigned in your acceptance letter cannot be changed, but I read a few posts from 2010 or 2011 where students were able to switch with each other, or if a site had an open slot, they could move into that slot. Thank you in advance for the advice!

I didn't have my CCRN when I applied, but gave them a copy of it during the interviews, which they were happy to see. I agree with UABSleeperSRNA that your paper has a huge effect on getting you an interview. Let them know that you have desired to become a CRNA since before beginning nursing school (even if not true). Also, in the interview when they ask "so why do you want to become a CRNA", tell them that you want to be challenged and that you do not want to "settle" with you BSN. I would start studying for your CCRN after you finish applying to schools, then take it about 2 weeks before your first interview. The testing center gives you a print out of how you did, so you can just make copies of that to hand out in your interview (if you pass, of course). For interview questions, know sepsis, ARDS, vent settings, hemodynamics and the MOA of your top 5 or 6 critical care gtt's (levo, vaso, dobutamine, etc.) At 2 of my 4 interviews there was not a single clinical question. Be confident in the interview, knowing that they likely have a good idea whether they are going to accept you or not before you even interview. If the school has multiple clinical sites in different states, let them know that you will be willing to go wherever for clinical. A faculty member told me that is the best answer to have when asked where you would be willing to go for clinical, but let them know your preference. You shouldn't have trouble getting at least two interviews if you follow the advice given by myself and UABSleeperSRNA.

Congrats on being accepted as well. I also have respect for the PD at UNF (he has a tremendous amount of experience/ credentials) and best of luck to anyone who chooses to attend. How did you feel about OLOL College? I regret not applying there. I've read a lot of good things about their program.

UAB, TX Wesleyan, and Murray State- waitlist. When I was at Murray State's (KY) interview, another interviewee had just interviewed at UNF the day before. She warned me about the PD at UNF. Then the next day I interviewed at UNF (crazy I had two interviews in 2 days, 600 miles apart) and everything she said was confirmed. I'm sure you're glad that you have other choices, as well. Where else were you accepted? I found it interesting that he said they went through the entire waitlist a year ago at UNF.