Question about best career move for acceptance to CRNA school

[chillax63]

Hi all, I'm just looking for some opinions and perspectives on what you think would be best for me to do make myself more competitive for admission to CRNA school.

I'm basically just going to give you a brief rundown of my resume I was a good student undergrad, I graduated my four year program in three years (carried over a bunch of credits from community college) with a 3.74 GPA Cum Laude. I worked on a neuroscience floor/stepdown in one of the largest academic medical centers in the country in the northeast.

I've been working in a Neuro ICU for almost a year now, but I'm also "clustered" with SICU. This means I'm getting trained in SICU for a couple of weeks so that I can float there on occasion. My questions is, once my year in the Neuro ICU is up should I switch to the SICU full time for a couple of years before I apply? The one downside I see with this is that I won't be with the same manager and that it might set me back a year in applying to school.

I'm signed up for the CNRN exam and once I'm eligible I'll also be signing up for the CCRN exam. I'm a member of Sigma Theta Tau and AACN. Is there anything else I should be doing to make myself more competitive? Thanks.

[emb92250]

Everything you're doing sounds good. The only thing I could suggest in addition to the CCRN and CNRN is getting experience in a cardiovascular ICU. They work with swans and usually pay more attention to hemodynamics, which CRNA schools love. You could also do the GRE even if it's not required by the CRNA school you are applying to.

Also, make sure you shadow a CRNA for at least a couple of shifts. I know that is very big and although not a requirement, a lot of CRNA schools won't admit you unless you have. It also is just a good idea in general because then you can get a better idea of what a CRNA actually does.

Do you know what schools you want to apply to? I suggest getting really familiar with their programs and curriculum set up. Also, I would apply as soon as you can. You likely won't get admitted the first year you apply, but it looks really good if you are rejected and then apply the next year with a beefed up resume. It shows persistence.

Keep in mind that although most schools only require 1-2 years of critical care experience to apply, the average CRNA student has 5 years of critical care experience.

Hope this helped.

[cardiacrrt]

All what emb92250, BSN said I agree with, just don't compare yourself to other when applying. If this is what you love go for it, show confidence not arrogance and you will be just fine. I always say that the only thing they can say is no. Good luck and don't wait years for the right moment, in fact apply once you get off orientation. I did that fresh out of nursing school and got two interviews to date, which is half the battle. Even if they say no, it shows that what I have is already good enough to get me in the door, just need to work on closing the deal. Keep your letter precise and no sad stories, but show your passion for the field and how you can improve it once you are in.

[chillax63]

Thanks for the reply! I have shadowed once but I plan on doing it again and I am currently studying for the GRE. The SICU at my hospital has a really diverse patient population that focuses heavily on hemodynamics and uses swanz and all that jazz.

[cardiacrrt]

Whenever you do your CV/Resume, just make sure to emphasize that. Hey you got this man. The SICU is one of those areas, GPA you are fine and think you will be fine for other things. Just schools want to know they can train you and you will be a great fit for them.

[future_anesthetist, BSN, CNA, RN]

I agree with everything that has been said and I believe you should move to the SICU full time. I don't necessarily think moving after a year is a downside from a manager perspective. Are you concerned about the LOR? I would ask your Neuro ICU manager for one if you leave after a year and apply to a CRNA program with that. They should have a pretty good idea of your skills and ability to critically think, etc. and it definitely shouldn't set you back a year. There is more that goes into acceptance to school than your manager's letter (depending on the program - some rely heavily on letters but interviews are typically the last deciding factor). That brings me to my next point, I wouldn't wait a "couple of years" before applying. Plenty of people, like myself, apply and are accepted after one year of ICU experience. Some other ideas to "bolster" your resume (if you haven't already done so):

-Join ICU committees and code team; become charge or preceptor, etc.; i.e.: leadership roles

-Shadow as much as you can and write down things you've learned. If they ask you about your shadow experience during an interview be prepared to respond further with details about the profession and give additional proof (beyond your personal statement) that becoming a CRNA is your passion.

-Look into becoming an ACLS instructor or Critical Care educator at your facility

-Reach out to program directors and introduce yourself in a professionally appropriate way - just get your name out their and ask any questions you may have about their program (I personally didn't do this because I didn't want to schmooze” but many people do and it supposedly helps).

-Save money and mention in your personal statement that you are financially prepared

-Request LOR's from people who you have built relationships with and who will be happy to see you get accepted into CRNA school.