Dreamweaver2be

Accepted to Nazareth for '08 and the University of Pittsburgh for '07--I am quickly trying to make a decision!

You would really just have to ask each school how they look at the writing score, as this is quite new to the GRE. I personally did not get a good verbal score but recieved a great writing score. During my last CRNA interview the program director mentioned my low verbal score but said she was not worried because I had a high writing score. I really think it can vary from school to school quite a bit.

I have applied to 5 nurse anesthesia programs and so far I have been invited to interview at 2 schools (I am still waiting to hear back from the other 3). I was looking for advice from others who have interviewed out of state. I live in Washington and all the schools I applied to are on the east coast. The problem is each school seems to have their own time table for interviewing, so I am having to make multiple trips back east. I am going to PA twice in a one month period because I was unable to schedule interviews for both schools during the same week. I am willing to go almost any length to be accepted into a program, and I understand I need to be flexible. I was wondering has anyone had many interviews and not been accepted to any of the programs? I have read some posts were nurses have said "I only interviewed at schools I thought I could get in." I am not sure how you could really know, I have heard many surprise stories. If you are invited to interview don't you have a shot? From what I understand programs only invite applicants for interviews if they are seriously considering them. I am fine flying all over the country for interviews if I am accepted into a program; it would be a bit more painful financially if I wasn't accepted.

Another vote for going straight into ICU. I was a nurse tech during nursing school on a med-surg floor and knew from the first few days it was not the area of nursing I was passionate about so it was not a good place for me or the patients I was caring for. I also knew in nursing school that I wanted to pursue nurse anesthesia, so I saw it as a waste of time. I heard pros and cons for both sides, but I went straight into the ICU and I am doing fine. You do learn good time management skills, assessment skills, etc. in critical care--you have to. If you do decide to go straight into critical care, find a hospital that will give you the benefit of a strong residency program for new grad. RN's.

I agree with the above post, do your best in regards to patient care, volunteer on committees, go above and beyond the call of duty, etc. Even when you do all of the above it can still be difficult; some critical care nurses can be cut throat and others will be really excited for you. I was actually surprised who wrote me the outsanding letters of reference and who wrote me mediocre to poor ones. Also for your letters of reference if you do not think your nurse manager will give you a good reference for whatever reason (I rarely ever see mine) think creatively--use a charge nurse, assistant manager, clinical nurse specialist, anyone who is over you or has "supervised" you. It is a great idea to get to know your anesthesia providers, especially if CRNA's practice in your hospital. Even if they do not you can learn alot, but keep in mind there is a whole political world out there in regards to CRNA and MDA's. At the hospital I work at CRNA's do not practice. When I tried to befriend a few MDA's and told them my aspirations of becoming a CRNA I was given a very cold shoulder--just know the environment your working in.

To those of you out there who already have your CCRN, how long did you take to study in preparation for the exam?

A couple of directors that I talked to said SICU or CVICU/CCU--usually see the most hemodynamic management, drip titration with this population--usually.

I found this on the AANA website: "The International Federation of Nurse Anesthetists (IFNA) is an international organization representing nurse anesthetists serving the public and its members. The mission of the federation is dedicated to the precept that its members are committed to the advancement of educational standards and practices which will advance the art and science of anesthesiology and thereby support and enhance quality anesthesia care worldwide." The AANA did give the link to this site which you could go to, or I am sure you could google it.

I am planning on retaking the GRE's next month, as I recieved a V:440 and Q:510, but I just recieved my analytical writing score and it was strong, a 5. Has anyone done very poorly on the verbal while recieving a good analytical writing score? I thought the Verbal and analytical sections would have a closer correlation. I was just wondering if anyone has gotten a strong writing score and poor verbal--what did you do to raise the verbal? I have studied Kaplan strategies and I am now looking at the Princeton Review's. Ugh, I can write a well thought and constructed essay but I guess the endless vocab. and analogies still come back to haunt me.

Thanks all for your advice :)

I knew I would already find a thread on this subject, I am in need of some moral support. I just took the GRE today and recieved Verbal 440 and Quant. 510, a whopping 950. I completed the majority of the online Kaplan course and did not realize the verbal section would be a problem, I actually thought it might be my strength. My problem is the time. I read quite well, but I am not a very fast reader, and found this a huge stress under the tight time conditions on the GRE. When taking practice tests at home that were not timed, I scored above 1000 and scored a 1060 during a timed practice test, both with verbals of at least 500. After completing most of the online course I only had time to do 2 practice tests instead of the 6 or so they wanted. Maybe this was my problem. I am just trying to figuring out what I should do, I know I should hit at least 1000. I have a 3.74 BSN grades, good science grades, ICU/CCU exp., in the process right now of getting letters of ref. for apps. I am sending in next month...This is the one piece of my missing picture. Would it be worth my while to re-prepare and take it again next month? I do know someone who after studying more and taking it for the second time actually did slightly worse than his first score

I am applying to 5, most of the schools I am applying to seem to want the apps. between Aug.-Nov. but a few of them said it was fine to get them in as early as I want. I am going to try to have everything done by early August. I have found the letters of reference to be the most time consuming as most the schools all have different forms. My friend who is applying to med school thought that having different forms for all the schools was crazy, but that's just the way it is. Also writing the essays is a bit time consuming as most the schools want a slightly different response/length. Good luck to all! Soon the waiting game will begin!

Thanks all for your advice

Hey all, I have a question and would appreciate any advice. I am preparing to apply to NA programs this summer, so I will be asking for letters of reference soon. I am currently working the night shift in the ICU I am at--I have been on nights for 8 mo.--and it is wreaking havoc on my mind, body, soul, family etc. I have talked to my manager more than once about switching to a day position to no avail, and I am thinking of moving to a different hospital for a day shift in an ICU that still offers the experience I need. My question is might that look bad to switch jobs only a month or two before I apply to NA school? The main issue I am concerned about is my letters of ref. from work--I am in good standing there now but some schools require a current supervisor's reference--if I am at a new place for only a month or two how could my supervisor even know me or the work I do well enough to write me one? I am just trying to figure out if I should suffer another 2-3 months on nights just until I apply then switch or if I could move to another hospital now without jeopardizing my work letters of recommendation.

Hey I was wondering if anyone had some info. on this one. When filling out my portion for letters of reference for CRNA programs they give you the option "I waive my rights to access this recommendaton" or "I do not waive my rights to access this recommendation." I am just wondering, does it reflect poorly on the student if they choose to not waive their rights? In the past for other programs/jobs I usually never end up seeing the letters of reference, so I have not been given the choice as I remember. I am not worried at all, just wondering the pros/cons of each.

This is a hard one, but you are right about retaking the science courses--it seems the general consensus is to retake them if they are in the C range, even though it seems some people on this forum have gotten in with a lone C in a science course. About how the school will look at the retakes and GPA calc. it is best to call the schools you may be interested in and just ask them. I'd just go straight to the source for you info. as schools can greatly differ. One school I called said that yes they do take into "consideration" that the science course has been repeated, but the other few I called said that retakes are not counted against you, with a couple even saying that it was good b/c it shows you are determined and motivated. It seems like the latter is the more common of schools. If you do a search on this forum you can find some other good info. in relation to science grades.

Thanks for your replies, it helps to hear others opinions. I understand a bit more about the trauma designation, meaning what services offered 24 hrs. a day--the google search helped :) I will just keep applying myself were I am at now, I guess I was not sure what I was missing as this is the only critical care I have worked in. Also I am a bit concerned b/c in our CCU they do not train newer nurses to take open hearts-or at least not until 4-8hrs. out for a while, maybe quite a while, and it seems the same w/becoming IABP certified. Do you think at a larger hospital they would train newer nurses off the bat for open hearts and IABP's, or is this normal?

Believe me before I posted I did a search on ICU exp. but did not find exactly what I was looking for, and I keep revisiting this question so please bear w/me :) I currently work in a 337 bed urban hospital with a level III 12 bed adult ICU. I have been an RN for about 8 months in which I have been at this ICU. We do get somewhat of a variety w/medical, neuro, and some post-op pts. I work with a lot of vents, vasoactive gtt titration, some paralytics, a few ventrics, a-lines, CVP's, an rare swan etc. I am also going to begin next week spending half of my schedule in our CCU (also critical care) where they have even more hemodynamics, balloon pumps, swans, open heart, etc. What I am wondering is if I need to try to work at the level I trauma center in my area to gain even higher level experience. I will begin applying to CRNA school this summer/fall and I am wondering how necessary/improve my chances it would be if I was at a level I such as their CVICU or SICU. I know it is really important how you utilize your time in the ICU just as what level unit you are in. I am always trying to further my learning, be involved, taking continuing ed. classes, just took CVVH class, and will be planning for CCRN in near future. I am just wondering if it would be worth it to uproot my self at this point, retrain for a new job, and possibly have to start over again w/clinical references close to the time I will be applying to schools. Also when looking at critical care openings at the level I, I noticed there were openings for new grad. RN's and RN's w/2 yrs. ICU experience--where does this leave me w/ 8 months exp.? I know there are not black & white answers, I would really appreciate some opinions!

I completely understand where you are at. I knew after a few months in nursing school that I wanted to become a CRNA and after talking to a CRNA and shadowing only futher solidified my goal. I graduated last yr. w/my BSN, I am in the ICU now, and at 24 yrs. old I don't want to be barren either when I am done with my schooling :) People tell me I am young and have so much time, but I don't always feel that way since I want to wait until after CRNA school to have kids. It is tempting for us goal oriented people (most of us I am sure) to only see the end in sight. I have had to remind myself to slow down, and that solid critical care experience while learning as much as I can now is essential for nurse anesthesia. Remember to have fun too! Even though it could initally be tempting to look only at how long the program is, this should not be a factor--there are many more important questions to be asking.

I also live in Washington also so I understand the dilemma; we now have two in the NW with the new program at OHSU and then Gonzaga in Spokane, whoo hoo :) I didn't want to be limited so I myself have just done a lot of research of schools in states that I would be wiling to live in (Cost of living, weather, city vs. rural, family or friends in state). When doing this I just tried to figure out the important questions you should know about any program such as clinical experience, travel to clinical site req., front loaded vs. integrated, cost, class size, board passing rates, regional/line experience, needing to share cases w/residents etc... it can be a lot of work doing the research if your willing to go almost anywhere in the nation I think if you have family in an area though that would be a big draw--from what I hear all the support you can have the better. I would only apply to schools that you have done some research on and that fit your needs/what you are looking for so you don't waste your time. Of course the more you apply to though the better your chance--it seems around 3-5 schools is common.

Thanks for the relpy. I have actually started to narrow down the schools I am planning to apply to, and just called to ask questions about my science grades/BSN and overall gpa/how re-takes are looked at. I should have done this much sooner! All the programs have the basics but from there differ greatly! I would advise anyone who is seriously considering becoming a CRNA if they can't find answers on a website/forum/person they know, to just call schools of interest and ask.

I have browsed the different posts regarding grades for CRNA school, and it seems like the consensus is that science GPA should be 3.0 or greater. My grades are as follows: BSN 3.74 Micro 3.2 Human anat 3.2 Physiology 2.7 O. Chem 3.9 Principles of Biology 2.1 (I took this course early in college, did not have direction, and does not seem to be a focus science for CRNA school such as chem, physics, anat&phys etc. are) I know ICU experience, GRE's, references, etc. are really important, but changing my grades would be the most difficult for me now w/my schedule but I would do that if needed. Do you think my 2.7 or my one C in basic biology will matter that much if I am strong elsewhere? I would love an opinion!

I have browsed the different posts regarding grades for CRNA school, and it seems like the consensus is that science GPA should be 3.0 or greater. My grades are as follows: BSN 3.74 Micro 3.2 Human anat 3.2 Physiology 2.7 O. Chem 3.9 Principles of Biology 2.1 (I took this course early in college, did not have direction, and does not seem to be a focus science for CRNA school such as chem, physics, anat&phys etc. are) I know ICU experience, GRE's, references, etc. are really important, but changing my grades would be the most difficult for me now w/my schedule but I would do that if needed. Do you think my 2.7 or my one C in basic biology will matter that much if I am strong elsewhere? I would love an opinion!

It sounds as though your on the right track now--and the SICU is great experience, both the SICU and CVICU would be great experience as an RN. Besides getting great ICU experience, grades and GRE scores, try to shadow a CRNA. This could give you an even a better idea about the job, and make sure it is what you want. Also make sure you can get great letters of recommendation.

If anyone has some advice or their opinion about my question it would be greatly appreciated! I am currently working in an ICU at a hospital that does not employee CRNA's/allow them to practice. I have considered trying to shadow an MDA but the hospital's MDA group makes it very clear in their FAQ about surgery that "only full trained physcian anesthesiologists will be admistering anesthesia and monitoring you medically"--I am not so sure how friendly they would be. A few months ago I shadowed a CRNA who was referred to me by one of my old nursing profs. and the experience was great. So I am wondering if it would really help me if I did work in a hospital that employed both CRNA's and MDA's. I also talked to a SRNA who worked in a hospital were CRNA's worked, and she said it was a great experience. As she was already an employee she shadowed CRNA's in the OR and one took her under his wing and even called an anesthesia program on her behalf. My shadow experience was good, but quite cumbersom trying to get into a facility were I did not work, and I wasn't able to build any kind of a relationship with the nurse anesthetist I shadowed in four or five hours. I am trying to figure out if it would be worth my while to go to another hospital with around the same level or even higher ICU so I could get to know some CRNAs. I would love some advice/opinions!