Ques. for those that applied to CRNA school with 1 yr RN experience

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Hi everyone! I am new to this site and so happy to see how helpful it really is! Well, I had a question maybe someone can answer. I am currently a BSN student- I graduate this December (yay!) Even before starting nursing school I knew I wanted to become a CRNA. I shadowed a few of them just to be sure I knew what I was ultimately going to get into. I would like to attend the same school I am in currently for CRNA school and they require 1 year of experience as an RN in an ICU setting like most other schools. I know I need this experience, but I would like to continue my education as soon as possible. I know that you have to apply very early, at least around 6 months before even starting. Can you apply to the program before your 1 yr is done..knowing that when you actually start the program you will have the 1 year of experience? Has anyone done that? or do you usually have to wait to even apply? Just curious...I know I'm way ahead of myself, but I always like to plan ahead (way ahead)

Thanks in advance,

Nikki

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Specializes in emergency.

This has been discussed here before, but i will save you the search.

Yes, if you completed your bachelors you can apply, and if your one year is up before the start date of the program, then many programs will accept that.

However, do remeber that there are only 105 programs in the whole country, and everybody and there brother is trying to get in. So, meeting the "minimum" requirements may not be enough, as there is alot of competition for minimal seats.

Also, there have been posters on this topic that have gotten accepted with the exact scenario you describe, but again they have stressed that this is usually not the majority.

Good luck!! ...please let us know how it goes.

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That is school specific. Some will require the one-year before matriculation into the program, others will require it at the time of application. When you look at a school and the requirements for applying, it will state which one they require.

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If you do a search on Wikipedia for "CRNA" I think you'll find some helpful information.

:welcome:

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I was in your same shoes last year. At the time applications were due, I only had 4 months on the job. I had just finished orientation on my unit. I applied to several programs in hopes of being accepted to one. I also had a friend from nursing school with the same experience apply also. We were both accepted.

It can be done. Do not let anyone discourage you from applying early. The worst thing that can happen is that you get an interview and do not get accepted the first time. At least you will have the interview experience for the following year.

I would talk with the PDs of the programs you are going to apply to and ask their opinions. The hardest part is getting you recommendations letters. Our unit manager told us she would not write any LOR until we had been their at least 2 years. I explained to this to the PDs at he programs I applied to and they told me to get someone else to write them for me.

I was accepted to 3 different programs. I feel very fortunate. It is very difficult to get in, but you can do it!

Good Luck!

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Specializes in CVICU.

I echo what Hold'emRN said. I also applied 4 months out of nursing school and will have 1 year 3 months experience when I start my program this fall.

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Thank you everyone for your replys. I know it's going to be tough, but I think I can do it! and at least now I know it has been done before.

Thanks again,

Nikki

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I did it as well.

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wikipedia is not a reliable source.:nono: anyone can add or edit the information put there.

if you do a search on wikipedia for "crna" i think you'll find some helpful information.

:welcome:

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wikipedia is not a reliable source.:nono: anyone can add or edit the information put there.

hmmm....anyone can add information put here...so is this not a reliable source? just what is a reliable source, anyway? newspapers such as the new york times have had to retract complete stories upon learning that they were falsified by the reporter, etc. wmds were cited by bush as reason for iraq invasion. bottom line --take any bit of data with a grain of salt. read with a critical mind and read more than one source. wikipedia gets some great points in my book as a reference as it often offers citation sources for its data and indicates where it is lacking source data.

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wikipedia is not a reliable source.:nono: anyone can add or edit the information put there.

debate concerning the reliability and validity of wikipedia has been ongoing for sometime. however, several peer-reviewed studies have been conducted and results have shown that wikipedia comes close to encyclopedia britannica in terms of accuracy.

here are a couple articles, fyi:

rosenzweig, r. (2006). "can history be open source? wikipedia and the future of the past". the journal of american history, 93, 117-146.

http://alumni.media.mit.edu/~fviegas/papers/history_flow.pdf

http://www.nature.com/news/2005/051212/full/438900a.html

but you're right, the information regarding crna's may or may not be accurate.

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Nikki,

I too got into a CRNA program with only 5months experience at my time of interview. One thing that you have going for you is graduating in december which means that you will have almost 1 year experience maybe more by the time of interview.

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