Union University 2019

Published

Anyone applying? Just have a few more things to get done then I will submit my application. I have never used Nursing CAS before but kinda like it to apply to the school. Priority deadline is October 15th.

Do you guys mind sharing your stats? I am from Jackson and just sent my application in a few days ago. I just started in the SICU at a teaching hospital so I don't have a lot of experience yet but I figured it wouldn't hurt to try.

GPA 3.3

Started in SICU in August so only a few months experience so far. No CCRN obviously.

GPA 4.0 for my last 40 hours of coursework.

Still working on my BSN and will graduate in the spring.

CNOR and RNFA certified.

Anyone else want to share?

I'm not expecting to get in but it's worth the shot.

Have you only been a nurse for three months? & your BSN is in progress? Did you contact the school to make sure that you did not have to have completed your BSN or your 1 year of experience prior to applying?

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Specializes in ICU.

Yes I've already spoken with them and they said if I was accepted, admission would be contingent on completing my degree and having 1 year of experience prior to matriculation. And no I've been a nurse for 8 years with 6 in the OR and worked the last 3 as a first assistant for a neurosurgeon at one of the hospitals that Union's SRNAs do clinicals at.

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Specializes in ICU.

In order to obtain CNOR and RNFA you have to have 2 years of intraoperative experience. You are not going to discourage me but thanks for the input. Just because I do not have experience as an ICU nurse does not mean I am not a proficient nurse. We all have different experiences.

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Specializes in Pediatric CVICU.

This is nice to know. Initially your comment had us all thinking you're a new grad nurse lol

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Yes I've already spoken with them and they said if I was accepted, admission would be contingent on completing my degree and having 1 year of experience prior to matriculation. And no I've been a nurse for 8 years with 6 in the OR and worked the last 3 as a first assistant for a neurosurgeon at one of the hospitals that Union's SRNAs do clinicals at.

Well, more power to you for seeking information and knowing the requirements. That is something that I was actually not aware of myself. I have heard from two separate instructors, and one stated that you did have to have 1 Year prior to applying, and the other stated that you did not. So it is nice to know that there is a set standard in place now. I don't think it hurts to apply, now that you do know that information, but I would definitely focus more so on obtained your CCRN and getting great experience. The academia aspect is something that you can continue to work on with your BSN. I would say your stats are average though, considering what you have so far, and I don't see why within the next year you couldn't be on track to being a truly competitive applicant if you put in the work.

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Specializes in Pediatric CVICU.
Clearly you didn't read my post very well because if you did you would know to obtain CNOR and RNFA you have to have 2 years of intraoperative experience. You are not going to discourage me but thanks for the input. Just because I do not have experience as an ICU nurse does not mean I am not a proficient nurse. I'm sure you are not proficient in doing brain and spine surgeries. We all have different experiences.

Don't take his reply personally. He meant well. He simply thought you were a brand new nurse. I did too until i saw your reply

OR experience is very nice. Wish i had it! I wish you the best. It doesn't hurt unless you try. I know a 26 yo who is now a CRNA after less than a year in the ICU when she applied. Commitment is what matters. Good luck!

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Clearly you didn't read my post very well because if you did you would know to obtain CNOR and RNFA you have to have 2 years of intraoperative experience. You are not going to discourage me but thanks for the input. Just because I do not have experience as an ICU nurse does not mean I am not a proficient nurse. I'm sure you are not proficient in doing brain and spine surgeries. We all have different experiences.

You are correct. If you did not note, I elected to remove half of that post after you explained more. Your initial post was just fairly misleading to me, that's all. Now that you've further explained, I understand your standpoint completely. & my apology, there was no intent to offend you, I simply read the post and thought that you were a new nurse, and those are things that I would have advised to any new nurse, so that is that stand that I elected to take. Additionally, I for some reason thought that OR techs and even LPN's could have the CNOR. I will be the first to say that I am ignorant to those certs. Anyhow, now that we have clarification, I think you would actually have a leg up once you have a comparable BSN and CCRN certification. Why? Because not many of us have the OR experience and have had the opportunity or actually work first hand with CRNA's and MDAs. It also gives you a different "why", and you in a sense really understand the work of anesthesia providers in the OR setting without even having to shadow. So yeah, go for it! Good luck!

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Specializes in ICU.

No I'm not a new nurse. Sorry if it was worded wrong. I do believe my OR experience will be helpful in some aspects for sure.

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Specializes in CRNA.
Hardly a new nurse. Sorry if it was worded wrong. I do believe my OR experience will be helpful in some aspects for sure. We all take different paths and that's okay.

When I read it the first time I thought you were a new RN as well. I agree with what others have posted in that your OR experience will help once you get your year in ICU and your BSN just as I feel like my prior experience as a Paramedic will help me. Just something new for the committee to think about.

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Specializes in ICU.
You are correct. If you did not note, I elected to remove half of that post after you explained more. Your initial post was just fairly misleading to me, that's all. Now that you've further explained, I understand your standpoint completely. & my apology, there was no intent to offend you, I simply read the post and thought that you were a new nurse, and those are things that I would have advised to any new nurse, so that is that stand that I elected to take. Additionally, I for some reason thought that OR techs and even LPN's could have the CNOR. I will be the first to say that I am ignorant to those certs. Anyhow, now that we have clarification, I think you would actually have a leg up once you have a comparable BSN and CCRN certification. Why? Because not many of us have the OR experience and have had the opportunity or actually work first hand with CRNA's and MDAs. It also gives you a different "why", and you in a sense really understand the work of anesthesia providers in the OR setting without even having to shadow. So yeah, go for it! Good luck!

Sorry, I did not realize my post was misleading. Happy to clarify. CNOR is comparable to CCRN but in the OR. You have to be an RN and have 2 years of experience intraop and 2400 hours. RNFA was another intense online program that I took over the course of 2 years as well. It consisted of didactic coursework as well as 130 clinical hours in which I had to turn in a transcript of every surgery case I participated in and what I assisted with in the case. I'm not eligible for CCRN since I just started in the ICU but I do have plans to take it when I am able. My OR experience is very different from the traditional route that many students take but I did not know that I wanted to be a CRNA until I started in the OR. I do have many CRNA friends and know many MDs as a result of my OR experience. I also have a lot of leadership experience within the OR and precepted many assistants. I understand that the route I took is not traditional but we all have different experiences in our career that will be helpful in different ways. I hope everyone gets in if this is your dream as it is mine.

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Specializes in ICU.
When I read it the first time I thought you were a new RN as well. I agree with what others have posted in that your OR experience will help once you get your year in ICU and your BSN just as I feel like my prior experience as a Paramedic will help me. Just something new for the committee to think about.

Yes I agree! I think a diverse class is good for everyone in it! We can help each other with our different areas of expertise.

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Specializes in ICU.

If any of you would like and I am off work, I am happy to show you around the area when you are down for interviews.

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