GasMan78

As far the money goes it really is a no brainer. CRNA's make 150K-190K to start where I'm at. The last hospital I worked at the nurses could make $40 a hour but only after 18 years experience. The amount of money you give up for two years of school is your RN wage not CRNA money and you then have the rest of your career to make up the difference. However the biggest question you should be asking is your reasons for wanting to be a CRNA and your commitment. If it is just for the money then don't do it. I tell people it's probably the hardest thing you're ever going to do with your life and if you think that these personal circumstances are going to prevent you from being successful now just wait until you're studying and going to clinical every day all day. I've met people who actually left their spouse and families behind for two years and moved to another state and then came back a CRNA. Whenever I'm feeling bummed out about how hard CRNA school is I come here and read posts like yours and remember that I was once in the same position and why I made the choice that I did. You should be glad to have a spot in a program but if you don't want it then I'm sure there are 20 other people who are ready to take it. Good luck

They may all require a four year degree but not all schools require a BSN, in fact it's roughly 2/3 require a BSN. I am an ADN without a BSN and I just started CRNA school one month ago. However I will say that I am the only person in my class who is a BS/ADN and having a BSN will make it easier for you. So you will need to get a four year degree, probably easiest to do a RN-BSN program and you need to work in the ICU.

Hi- I think that it is a great idea to work in the med/surg world for a year. When I graduated nursing school I started on a cardiac step-down and I felt like my first year there was like another year of nursing school as I learned so much. However after a year I quickly plateaued and I wanted to go someplace else where I could continue to learn more stuff. When you do transition to the unit you want to be successful and build on what you already know and not try to master the fundamentals and learn critical care at the same time. My personal experience is that I went from step-down to ER to the unit and I though each was a great experience. Many unit nurses don't know or don't remember what it is like to work outside of their own little world and having a year to learn and ask questions in the med/surg world is a great place for a new nurse to grow, develop your practice, and start mastering the things that will be expected common knowledge when you move to the unit. While you are in the med/surg world try studying for your certification, ask to become charge, spend time on a committee or unit based council. Look for things you can do now that show you are one of those nurses who are always looking to learn new things and go above and beyond. This time is not wasted for when you apply to CRNA school. During my CRNA interview the committee asked me many questions about my time in each of the different areas that I have worked. Being able to talk about my experiences in all areas of nursing was beneficial and you might have opportunities to do something such as be a charge nurse in the med/surg floor that may not be available to you when you move tot he unit. Good luck it sounds like you are on your way.

Hello- I left this post on another thread but it seems more appropriate here: I think about the interview like this: everyone who was invited to the interview has on paper the credentials to be accepted to the program. Whether that is true or not is debatable. However you made it to the interview because they liked what they saw in your application package and now you have a chance to prove to them that you deserve to be there. It is hard to over generalize what they are looking for but I can say a few things from my limited interview experience. Confidence and personality is a great thing to have when being interviewed by a small group of strangers. It really helps to show that you are a nice, genuine person and that would be a pleasure to work with for the next two to three years. Beyond that I will share with you my two interview experiences. My first interview I was extremely nervous and tired. I worked nights and as any night nurse knows working nights takes a toll on your ability to function in the day. I have known a couple of great intelligent nurses who blew the interview because they were not in the right mindset. It is unfortunate. It is almost like during the interview they are looking for a reason to exclude you as a candidate since they are trying to differentiate between so many qualified people. Giving them a reason by being an awkward weirdo is just enough for them to put your application into the reject pile. I did not get into this school but I went home and reflected on how I looked in their eyes and I can't really blame them. By time I thankfully got a second interview at the next school I was more relaxed partly since I had already been through the trial by fire by an interview committee. I feel that the second time my true personality was reflected in my responses and now I am on my way to CRNA school. The best advice I got between my first unsuccessful and second successful interview is that it is not necessarily what you say when you answer the questions but how you present yourself when you say it. Whatever questions you are asked they will probably not have a right or wrong answer but are designed to just give you an opportunity to talk about yourself, your preparation, your reasons, and your influences for wanting to become a CRNA. I hope this helps somebody about there and good luck!

Hello- I think about the interview like this: everyone who was invited to the interview has on paper the credentials to be accepted to the program. Whether that is true or not is debatable. However you made it to the interview because they liked what they saw in your application package and now you have a chance to prove to them that you deserve to be there. It is hard to over generalize what they are looking for but I can say a few things from my limited interview experience. Confidence and personality is a great thing to have when being interviewed by a small group of strangers. It really helps to show that you are a nice, genuine person and that would be a pleasure to work with for the next two to three years. Beyond that I will share with you my two interview experiences. My first interview I was extremely nervous and tired. I worked nights and as any night nurse knows working nights takes a toll on your ability to function in the day. I have known a couple of great intelligent nurses who blew the interview because they were not in the right mindset. It is unfortunate. It is almost like during the interview they are looking for a reason to exclude you as a candidate since they are trying to differentiate between so many qualified people. Giving them a reason by being an awkward weirdo is just enough for them to put your application into the reject pile. I did not get into this school but I went home and reflected on how I looked in their eyes and I can't really blame them. By time I thankfully got a second interview at the next school I was more relaxed partly since I had already been through the trial by fire by an interview committee. I feel that the second time my true personality was reflected in my responses and now I am on my way to CRNA school. The best advice I got between my first unsuccessful and second successful interview is that it is not necessarily what you say when you answer the questions but how you present yourself when you say it. Whatever questions you are asked they will probably not have a right or wrong answer but are designed to just give you an opportunity to talk about yourself, your preparation, your reasons, and your influences for wanting to become a CRNA. I hope this helps somebody about there and good luck!