PICU2CRNA

It certainly is, IF the ICU experience is with high acuity patients. I know of many current SRNAs and practicing CRNAs who had 1 yr experience when they were accepted. But if the ICU experience is a small hospital where the ICU is more like a step-down unit, then it probably won't help to have even 5 yrs experience.

Most programs don't accept NICU and now that I'm finishing my first year, of CRNA school, I understand why. My background was PICU and I also floated to NICU...very large teaching hospital. There is very little experience, even in a large, high acuity NICU, that will prepare you for CRNA School. In the PICU, we had complex heart cases, traumas, complex surgical cases (cranis, big backs, transplants, etc) and, of course, a ton of respiratory cases. We also dealt with an age range from several weeks old to 18 yrs old and even 21 year old chronic 'kids'. I've actually felt really prepared as our classes progressed, and don't feel that I was needing to spend any more time on a subject just because I didn't take care of patients with LVADS. LOL. In fact, I took care of much sicker, more complex patients than some students who had MICU and SICU backgrounds. My point is that no one has ALL the experience, but you should at least have a strong background with complex systems and in my experience, the NICU did not offer that. I'd recommend transferring to a high acuity PICU, as that might be easier to get into than adult ICU. High acuity is the key because not all ICUs are equal and schools are VERY aware of that. I used to PRN at a PICU that had 4 beds and most patients had a food tray in front of them and could go to the play room anytime they wanted. LOL It was a nice break, but definitely not prep material for CRNA School. Just like having adult ICU experience in a small unit where the sickest patient has a food tray, isn't going to help you. My primary PICU has had 5 nurses enter CRNA school in the past 3 yrs, so adult ICU is not the only path. Just my 2 cents!

Simply put, time commitment and clinicals are the hardest part, IMO. CRNA school literally consumes your life. Clinicals are where you learn the most and on a good day, that means being with a wonderful CRNA who enjoys teaching, communicates well, and has a supportive demeanor. Those are the days you flourish and feel the progress you're making. It is a gratifying and exciting experience that teaches you so much, especially in the early semesters. But many days are the polar opposite. The jerk CRNAs can make it a gut wrenching, will-breaking, pride crushing, demeaning roller coaster ride like nothing you've experienced before. A few of us students were chatting the other day and one of them was telling a story of how she literally was grabbed by her CRNA & pushed back so hard that she stumbled over a piece of OR equipment and almost hit the floor. We were actually laughing, because it has become a sad reality for us to hear stories like this and these incidents don't even shock us anymore! We are so warped from the abuse and fear of failure that we just have to laugh. We may or may not report "abuse", because each individual has their own choice of which battles to fight and whether it's worth the energy or risk of putting a target on their backs. We live in fear and humble gratitude because we want this so much...and sometimes that is taken advantage of. Yes, we are accepting things we never would have tolerated a year ago, but we have perspective and purpose. I see now that this program seems to attract the toughest of the toughest, for good reason. That said, I am a much older student, single mom, who commutes 3 hours a day for class and clinicals, with no family nearby, and I am making it work. Up at 3:30 am and usually not in bed until 10:30 pm, if I'm lucky. So the hell is survivable, if you're determined to survive it!

06crna - You're retiring at the same age I'm finishing my first yr of CRNA school. Kudos to you! Very jealous. I'll be lucky to be alive in 12 yrs!

It didn't say, but in some of the comments ppl discussed how they had continued to fail to get their requirements addressed/fulfilled for Regional. I really don't know anything about Wolford, but I think it's great they worked to get the accreditation extended, for the sake of the current students. Maybe they can get the Regional requirements met before then and the program won't have to suffer an accreditation gap.

The COA has extended their accreditation through Feb. 2020. Good news for current students. I have a copy of the COA letter that I saved from one of our CRNA/SRNA group sites, but I don't see a way to attach it here.

I would just try to be relaxed, show them your personality, and when they ask you clinical questions, just think about scenarios in your ICU to answer them...that's what I did. Be humble, show them your desire to be in THEIR program, show them you understand what it will take, and how committed you are to making your life support what you have to do to succeed in the program. They won't "grill" you. I love the program and the faculty.

My BSN GPA was 4.0 and my GRE scores were 161, 150, and 4.0. I think what mattered as well was my memberships on nursing committes, nursing volunteer work, here and abroad, and experience in a very good PICU. The interview involved why I wanted to be a CRNA, how I would manage my life while in school, and some clinical questions about ICP, fluids, and vasoactive drips.

I would include transcripts for any grad school classes, as it's a reflection of you as a student, nursing or not. í ½í¸Š

Hey for any of you that didn't get a spot in the Jan interviews for the Texas location, you may get another shot! I just emailed them to cancel my Jan. 12th interview. I was accepted into the Raleigh CRNA program, so there is no need for my to interview at Wesleyan. Good luck to everyone who has been accepted, who is interviewing, and those still waiting to hear. I think for most of us, this is the biggest and most grueling pursuit of our educational and professional careers!!

Congratulations to you as well! I'm beyond excited and terrified as well. Lol

Yes, I was an alternate last year. The alternate list is probably long and there are probably very few people pay their deposit and then change their mind about the program. I never thought it was very likely I was going to get into the program that year, but it gave me hopes of getting in the next year. I've known several people who have interviewed twice at two different programs and the second time they got in. It means they like you. If they want you back, then they want to talk to you again and seriously consider you. Stay positive for next year and get feedback. :)

Hey, I know you're bummed because I was in the same position last year. Be sure to turn in your letter saying that you want to be on the alternate list and go ahead and ask them for feedback about what you can do to improve your application next year. Sometimes it takes two tries. It's so worth it!

I've been accepted!!! I have an interview at Texas Wesleyan in Jan., but I am happily going to cancel!!! I can't believe this day has finally come.

I was also told emails will go out mid-November. Fingers crossed!