Questions about CRNA school

[slooje]

No central lines in my CRNA program, some people might have had 1 or 2 in a rural site but that was it and then I only know of 1 student that got to place them. I'm sure there are other programs out there where CRNAs are getting to place them but in general with the Docs that is there territory.

CRNA2007 - Your posts are awesome. Thanks for all the advice. I too started to get my BSN at 31, have just graduated and am looking for CRNA programs to start after a couple years of experience in the NSICU. If you dont mind, what things would you do to prepare yourself for CRNA school....ie more chem classes, more physics classes, etc. I have two years of preparing I dont want to waste. Might as well take some classes while I'm waiting.

Also, did you work while in CRNA school, take out extra loans for living expenses or have any school loans payed off by your current workplace once accepting a position?

Thanks again for your posts. Its refreshing to have someone tell of an honest experience without all the typical political correctness.

[CRNA2007]

You only need one year of critical care experience before attending a CRNA program. I have about 170K in student loans (a combination of federal and private loans). Most every CRNA school should give you a good foundation for anethesia so shotgun the applications.

My advice go right into ICU and float to ER and some pediatrics (can be standard pediatrics doesn't have to be PICU) this will get you comfortable with pediatric patients. As soon as you have a years experience I would try travel nursing and start paying off bills and putting away cash.

You don't need the flashy car just get something dependable that sort of thing. A few more pointers I was a paramedic before I became an RN and I think it helped immensely. Some states allow you to challenge the paramedic course once you are an RN with some grunt work on your part (ride time in the ambulance etc..) look into it. Also get all of your certs ACLS PALS TNCC NRP etc. and if possible try to get them as instructor certifications usually these programs will be offered at your place of employment with little or no cost to you and you really don't need a lot of prep work for these. get your CCRN and CEN cert (I think CEN is much easier than CCRN) These certs you can study for on your own time and will look good on your application. Lastly, and most importantly when schools ask for references get atleast one from a CRNA these references are like GOLD to interview committees. I cannot stress this particular point enough. Shadow the CRNAs for a while and get to know them.

CRNA2007 - Your posts are awesome. Thanks for all the advice. I too started to get my BSN at 31, have just graduated and am looking for CRNA programs to start after a couple years of experience in the NSICU. If you dont mind, what things would you do to prepare yourself for CRNA school....ie more chem classes, more physics classes, etc. I have two years of preparing I dont want to waste. Might as well take some classes while I'm waiting.

Also, did you work while in CRNA school, take out extra loans for living expenses or have any school loans payed off by your current workplace once accepting a position?

Thanks again for your posts. Its refreshing to have someone tell of an honest experience without all the typical political correctness.

[slooje]

You only need one year of critical care experience before attending a CRNA program. I have about 170K in student loans (a combination of federal and private loans). Most every CRNA school should give you a good foundation for anethesia so shotgun the applications.

My advice go right into ICU and float to ER and some pediatrics (can be standard pediatrics doesn't have to be PICU) this will get you comfortable with pediatric patients. As soon as you have a years experience I would try travel nursing and start paying off bills and putting away cash.

You don't need the flashy car just get something dependable that sort of thing. A few more pointers I was a paramedic before I became an RN and I think it helped immensely. Some states allow you to challenge the paramedic course once you are an RN with some grunt work on your part (ride time in the ambulance etc..) look into it. Also get all of your certs ACLS PALS TNCC NRP etc. and if possible try to get them as instructor certifications usually these programs will be offered at your place of employment with little or no cost to you and you really don't need a lot of prep work for these. get your CCRN and CEN cert (I think CEN is much easier than CCRN) These certs you can study for on your own time and will look good on your application. Lastly, and most importantly when schools ask for references get atleast one from a CRNA these references are like GOLD to interview committees. I cannot stress this particular point enough. Shadow the CRNAs for a while and get to know them.

Funny that you said to try to teach ACLS, BLS, etc. as I was planning on doing that as I figured it would be at least some income during CRNA school. I don't start work until Jan 14th but will look into that asap. Where i work requires that you stay for two years if you are a new grad. Not sure what the consequences are for leaving, but kind of makes me stuck for a while. What school did you go to? Out here in Oregon there is only one CRNA school that I know of so might have to go somewhere else.

Is your work group going to pay off some of your school loans? This is one of my biggest concerns. I'm not sure if its worth it if I am $200k in the hole and in debt for the rest of my life.

Thanks again for all your help. I appreciate it and it will allow me to at least get started and get pointed in the right direction.