Saint Marys University

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Just curious whether anyone has applied to SMU, The deadline is on april 1-2009.

Thanks so much Rocco! I will have 3 years in by the time the next apps are due. I think I have every certification I can think of. Being charge is pretty hard where I work..they have CRN's that do this job every day. The hospital I work at has really cut down on committee's due to budget issues. My GPA is good, but may still take a graduate level course just to prove I can do the work. Good to hear that you got rejected a few times before getting in, not that I would want that for you but it gives me hope! Been rejected twice now. I have emailed Saint Mary's but have not heard anything yet to get an idea of what my short falls were. Congrats again! Do we know how Suen did?

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Specializes in OR, PACU, ICU.

Hilda74,

I totally agree with everything Rocco stated. I was also rejected three times. I had two interviews, wait listed at the U of M and now accepted at St. Mary's. I have talked to many CRNAs and know several people in a program currently and I keep hearing that it takes most people three years of applying. They say usually you apply year one and don't get an interview, apply year two and get an interview and hopefully wait listed, apply year three and get accepted. The schools find out who is really serious and who has really thought about this. Of course we all know exceptions of people who just apply five places and are offered five spots, but I'm saying the majority of stories that I have heard is two or three years of applying. I wasn't willing to leave MN, so that also limits the chances.

As far as my stats: I have worked for five years OR/PACU, two years ICU (1 year SICU, 1 year ICU float pool), and a little over six months rapid response team/critical resource nurse. That part is confusing, I've only been a nurse for five years, but I've worked two jobs at the same time, at one employer OR/PACU for five years and two and a half years full-time in the ICU at a different employer. The interviewer seemed to really like the rapid response work. He also made specific comments about my teaching ACLS, working in an OR, and putting in PICC lines. I have ACLS, PALS, NALS, CCRN, CNOR, and TNCC certifications. Overall GPA was 3.6, nursing 3.9. I started taking grad level classes last year too. I got that recommendation from a different school's interview panel. I am a member of AORN, ASPAN, and AACN. I took the GRE because it was required at the other school I applied, and am too embarrassed to give my score! (1070 :uhoh21:)

Absolutely don't get discouraged, you got an interview, so that's already better than over 220 applicants. I realized a few years ago when I really started looking into this profession just how competetive it is to get in and like Rocco said, get certifications, precept, teach and shadow a CRNA. Depending on your facility, most CRNAs are more than happy to let nurses shadow them. Most of them remember just how bad they wanted the same thing you are wanting. The best advice that I ever received was that you just need to make yourself stand out from everyone else. All applicants have good grades, a couple of years of ICU experience, great references, etc.

Let me know if you have any other questions,

tom

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Rocco,

Congratulations!!:yeah:

We are totally gonna have a paaaaarty! :balloons:

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Tom,

Congratulations from all of your coworkers at the VA! You'll do great!

Mark-VA SICU

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I unfortunatly didn't get accepted either. I did however get placed on the waiting list. Does anyone know about how many people from the waiting list get bumped into the program each year.

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Specializes in OR, PACU, ICU.

Go2sleep,

Congrats on the wait list spot! They wait list 10, and last year they pulled in all 10 off the list. The interviewer told me they usually take in 4-5, but last year they all came in. I imagine in this economy people's plans are changing... Did they give you your number?

I've got my fingers crossed for you,

tom

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Specializes in SICU.

Congratulations Tom! I can't wait to meet you in May 2010! Are you going to move closer to Mpls or stay in SW?

Hilda74, keep applying and get all the experience you can. You will get in!

Where is Suen?

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Specializes in Med/Surg ICU.

Congrats guys! Hope to follow in your footsteps.

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To Rocco and all of you, Hit the road, enjoy this weekend:dancgrp:. I hope to do this some day. Suen

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Specializes in OR, PACU, ICU.

Hi Rocco,

I will have to move closer to the metro sometime before May. I have family in the area and would like to find something in the Burnsville area (W or SW suburbs).

Looks like you're out in Cali! You may luck out, we've had some very mild winters here lately!

Thanks,

tom

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Specializes in SICU.

Hey Tom,

I plan on moving out there by the end of March or beginning of April and I'd like to live in Mpls somewhere. That would be nice if the winters are mild while I'm there, but I'm from MN, so I still should be able to handle to cold winters (I hope) :-). My Dad actually lives in Burnsville/Lakeville area; it's a nice place to live.

Talk with you soon,

Joe

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Specializes in SICU.
To Rocco and all of you, Hit the road, enjoy this weekend:dancgrp:. I hope to do this some day. Suen

I hope you enjoy your Birthday this weekend Suen :yeah:

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