The Plan

statistics and organic/bio chem would be best. i would take both in the summer, two classes shouldn't be that difficult of a load.

the programs in my state look more heavily on orgo than gen chem. i'm sure that's common everywhere too.

good luck!1

Thanks for the input,

i don't think I'm going to be taking orgo and stats during the summer. i would like to have the best grades i can possibly have and i can take them during the fall before i start my bsn. thank you and good luck to you

Ok just so you know I have been accepted to start anesthesia school this fall. I started out the same as you: ASN, telemetry, online BSN. First, you didn't mention any shadow experience. I would never question your motives, just asking if you have seen their work first hand? Shadowing is not only good for your fyi, but will be a very important question to answer during your eventual interview. I shadowed in the hospital several times and an outpt surgical center. I also tried unsuccessfully to get into a dental surgical area. Next, you need to either retake gen chem, or take a biochem and get an A+. Anesthesia school has several chem courses so they'll want to know you can handle it. Also, my ADN program did not have a pharm course so I'm taking undergrad pharm now cuz the school requires it. You may need that also. A good GRE score is preferred but schools will typically look at you as having strenghts and weaknesses i.e. you what you lack in certain areas (gpa, gre) can be made up for with awesome experience. Undergrad stats is usually a requirement. For experience, any ICU is good but CTICU is preferred. Swans, alines, drips, etc... I started in MICU 2 yrs and went to CT for 2yrs. Anesthesia, as my friend in a program told me, is from the diaphragm up! The CCRN is not required but shows ambition for professional development. This cannot be understated. All applicants have good grades, gre, experience. To stand out, you should show leadership (mentoring, precepting, charge nurse) and participate in committess such as professional practice or evidence based practice. You should be an expert in your specific ICU area because if you go for an interview and fail to articulate your knowledge (some applicants claim to know a bunch of stuff but cannot prove it when challenged) that would show the admission committee you are full of b.s.. I'm only telling you this for your benefit and not to scare you. If this is what you want to do then do it. Anything is possible. Just keep moving forward and be positive!! It has been a long road for me too but I start in August and cannot wait!!! Good luck:)

My first BS GPA was 2.27...in 1991. Since then, in three degrees including my MSNA, I only made 3 b+ and the rest As. I've been exactly where you are. If time is not an issue to you, then by all means take Statistics and Biochem separate from each other. I agree, however, with the other poster that you should take at minimum Biochemistry. You do NOT need to retake gen Chem to prepare for Biochem. Retake Gen if it makes you feel better, but I'd just take Biochem and make sure you nail it. If you make an A in Biochem, they will look and see that you have buckled down and the C in Chem will not kill you. They will weigh your Biology, Anatomy, Phys, Chem, and Micro classes more heavily than your general nursing courses, so while making good nursing grades is expected, the core science classes will make you or break you. If you did poorly in any of these classes, retake them if you can. You have to take statistics, and a general statistics course is not too tough at all if you stay on top of it. All that said...you should easily be able to take Biochem and Statistics in the same semester and make As in both classes if you put your primary focus on doing as well as possible. If you find this to be a very difficult task, don't waste your time or money on CRNA school. While in school, make it priority. DO NOT LET WORK DROP YOUR GRADES! Your plan on ICU experience sounds solid. Take a good GRE prep course and prepare for it like it was the most important thing on earth...GRE is total BS, but it is a an opportunity to stand above others that did not screw off like us and make bad grades early. A Great GRE score can help a ton. Good luck to you.

Hello Everybody,

I have looked at the different advanced practice nursing specialties and have decided to hone on in on nursing anesthesia. I currently have an ADN from a community college. My

cumulative gpa is 3.24 (yup i know). But i did well in the nursing program and only had one B with all A's. The good news is that i have yet to start the BSN program. I am planning to go into the distance BSN program this spring which will be about 3 years. I am also planning to bombard the icu nursing managers at several hospitals with resumes.

I will have 2 years of experience this july in telemetry but absolutely want to go into icu,either MICU or SICU if possibly.

To get into the BSN program next spring, i only need Statistics. I received a C in my gen

chem about 8 years ago while i was fooling around. Should i just take statistics in the fall or take both G. chem and statistics at the state college. I want to get the best grades possible. I will not be able to take G. chem again while in the bsn program. I also plan to take the CCRN next summer after a few months in ICU then the GRE the summer after that. Of course i am planning to put in at least 3 years in ICU to be competitive. Input and guidance is much needed. Thanks