Starting nursing school in the fall -- I need advice

soonershok · Aug 12, 2012

Hello all, I am starting a nursing program (BSN) in the fall with the intent to eventually become a CRNA. Being a CRNA is something I've always wanted to do since I decided I wanted to become a nurse. Now that I am at this step, I would really appreciate some advice from either current CRNAs or prospective CRNAs in school right now.
A little info about myself:
I am entering nursing school with an overall gpa of 3.54 and I hope to keep it there. I know some CRNA schools will accept you without a GRE if your GPA is 3.5 or higher.
What can I do to get involved in critical care work early on during school and (hopefully) immediately after graduation? As I'm sure all of you know, schools require a minimum of 1 year critical care experience, but I understand almost all schools really want 2 years. What can I do from right now until graduation that can make me a desirable candidate to work in some sort of ICU straight out of graduation? All replies are very much appreciated and good luck to everyone!
Kyle

Try to get on in an ICU as a nurse tech or nurse partner and work there while your going thru school. By doing so you will become familiar with the people and they will learn to hopefully trust you. People are always coming and going in an ICU and what makes them want to hire a new grad is familiarity with what they do. Also, these may not be advertised jobs so you'll probably have to seek out the nurse manager and talk to them. The larger hospitals have several ICU's so they will also have more openings for that sort of thing.

You'll probably want to keep your intentions of going to CRNA school to yourself. Most ICU's hate losing staff after they get them trained.

One last bit of advice, don't try to shortcut. Get more than the basic 1-2 years in an ICU. Your going to have patients trust you with their lives as a CRNA and you need to have the basics down pat.