My ultimate goal is to get into the CRNA program, and I already have a degree (Bach of Arts, non medical related) and without wasting time(I'm up there in age), what is the best route prepare me to my goal?
I truly have a "do whatever it takes" attitude. I don't care for cutting corners. I JUST WANT TO BE WELL PREPARED.
Does the Accelerated BSN program truly prepare a person for the Nursing Board exam or anything I will have to face in my future? If not, I am willing to take the longer route to ensure my sucess. I am terrible at Online courses and is better at interactive learning.
When I interview for the BSN, I would like to have some kind of experience to be able to present to them, should I get my RN or LVN and work for a year? Just to get real life experiences? I just want to better my chances into getting into the BSN program and eventually to CRNA.
If there are any CRNAs who could share things they would do differently or made a decision that they are extremely proud of, I would appreciate their thoughts.:redbeathe
I am a first year SRNA at U. of Cincinnati. I first want t validate many of the points made by everyone and interject a few more to get your wheels turning. I have at least 4-5 classmates (out of 29) that are products of Accelerated BSN programs and consider them all to be top-notch students as far as academic performance in our classes. They all went right into an ICU after graduation and did 1.5-2 years before applying to CRNA school--after being with them for a couple of months now I also consider their critical care knowledge base to be more than adequate for where they are. That being said, it seem that the students who get into the accelerated BSN programs made one competitive cut already to even get into those programs--I THINK ADMISSION BOARDS FOR CRNA PROGRAMS PAY ATTENTION TO THAT AND LOOK UPON THAT AS A BIG PLUS. Alot of those folks already had some good life/work experience to bring to the table too; be prepared to pimp out your other job/degree and explain how much more well-rounded you are as a result etc.
The flip side to that coin definitely depends upon access where you live. I went to an ADN to BSN completion program where there was zero competition for acceptance for ADN nurses--none. There were also no ADN programs nearby--just an LPN program and a BSN program that gave a tiny head start to those students who were already LPN's. Acceptance into the straight BSN program was nauseatingly difficult and took some folks 2-3 tries--3.7 min. GPA in prereq's.--symptomatic of an under-served area. Alot of folks actually commuted a great distance to the nearest ADN program or moved closer to it with the idea of coming back for the ADN to BSN completion program. You just have to make a decision matrix based on all the variables in your particular region of the world and all the variables about your first degree (GPA, pre-req's that satisfy requirements in the BSN/accelerated BSN program you want to attend)--go with your gut. Just get the BSN in a way that makes economic sense and gets you the degree as quickly as you can do it. :cheers: :grad:
Also consider this route: 1)ADN 2)work in the ICU while simultaneously finishing your BSN= you get done in 4-5 years what takes most BSN students 6.
As far as going right into the ICU...DO IT!!! I don't think there are many people who are going to become anesthesia material who really need the "year of med/surg"--they are normally bright enough to go through a reasonably organized ICU internship/orientation of some sort right out of the gate. Just be aware that the learning curve is steep in the ICU at first and really be prepared to go the extra mile to become fully functional in the required amount of time. Once you are flying solo, things will be fine. Do your homework on ICU's and get a feel for attitudes on RN's leaving after 2 years to go to grad-school--there is some bad blood out there that could be problematic. I also firmly believe that certain ICU's gain good reputations for producing good SRNA's--maybe find an ICU with a history of a high success rate of acceptance to CRNA programs. Without 1.5-2 years of ICU experience you may not hold up well to questions asked during typical interviews and basic knowledge about hemodynamics/monitoring/pathophys./etc. that you will need in CRNA school.
Bottom line: You open the greatest number of doors with 1.5-2 years of good ICU experience, a BSN, at least a 3.4-3.6 GPA, a GRE of >1000, references from people who know how to write them well, as many bells,whistles, Xmas ornaments, and Cub Scout Merit Badges as you can muster (ACLS instructor, TNCC, PALS Instructor, CCRN, service on committees, etc.) The applications can take up alot of time and resources, stack the cards in your favor and apply when you are really ready. Pay attention to application deadlines, matriculation fees, likely interview dates, cost of living, costs of attendance, program length, program start dates (most start in the Fall, a smaller amount start in May/June, and a small handful start in Jan). The matriculation fees can put you in a real quandry. e.g. school "A" sends you an acceptance letter in October and wants an answer along with your non-refundable check for $1000 within 2 weeks--school "A" costs more than school "B", has a higher cost of living than school "B", and school "A" is like your 3rd choice...darn, school "B" is your first choice, it's cheaper, has a low cost of living, has all the clinicals near the school, but they don't start sending out acceptance letters until mid-Nov.!!!--OMG WHAT DO YOU DO??? WHAT IF YOU DON'T GET INTO SCHOOL "B"??? Hmmm, better come up with $1000 as an insurance policy, huh? :thnkg: I have seen this exact scenario play out--just plan for it.
I've been warned I shouldn't mention my intentions to apply to a CRNA program while interviewing for ICU jobs out of my BSN program- makes sense since I imagine it's very costly for hospitals to train nurses in the ICU, esp. new grads. Any wise words of advice here? Is it best to be up front or try my darndest to hide my intentions???
beedog13
94 Posts
Hello to all posters on this thread,
I am a first year SRNA at U. of Cincinnati. I first want t validate many of the points made by everyone and interject a few more to get your wheels turning. I have at least 4-5 classmates (out of 29) that are products of Accelerated BSN programs and consider them all to be top-notch students as far as academic performance in our classes. They all went right into an ICU after graduation and did 1.5-2 years before applying to CRNA school--after being with them for a couple of months now I also consider their critical care knowledge base to be more than adequate for where they are. That being said, it seem that the students who get into the accelerated BSN programs made one competitive cut already to even get into those programs--I THINK ADMISSION BOARDS FOR CRNA PROGRAMS PAY ATTENTION TO THAT AND LOOK UPON THAT AS A BIG PLUS. Alot of those folks already had some good life/work experience to bring to the table too; be prepared to pimp out your other job/degree and explain how much more well-rounded you are as a result etc.
The flip side to that coin definitely depends upon access where you live. I went to an ADN to BSN completion program where there was zero competition for acceptance for ADN nurses--none. There were also no ADN programs nearby--just an LPN program and a BSN program that gave a tiny head start to those students who were already LPN's. Acceptance into the straight BSN program was nauseatingly difficult and took some folks 2-3 tries--3.7 min. GPA in prereq's.--symptomatic of an under-served area. Alot of folks actually commuted a great distance to the nearest ADN program or moved closer to it with the idea of coming back for the ADN to BSN completion program. You just have to make a decision matrix based on all the variables in your particular region of the world and all the variables about your first degree (GPA, pre-req's that satisfy requirements in the BSN/accelerated BSN program you want to attend)--go with your gut. Just get the BSN in a way that makes economic sense and gets you the degree as quickly as you can do it. :cheers: :grad:
Also consider this route: 1)ADN 2)work in the ICU while simultaneously finishing your BSN= you get done in 4-5 years what takes most BSN students 6.
As far as going right into the ICU...DO IT!!! I don't think there are many people who are going to become anesthesia material who really need the "year of med/surg"--they are normally bright enough to go through a reasonably organized ICU internship/orientation of some sort right out of the gate. Just be aware that the learning curve is steep in the ICU at first and really be prepared to go the extra mile to become fully functional in the required amount of time. Once you are flying solo, things will be fine. Do your homework on ICU's and get a feel for attitudes on RN's leaving after 2 years to go to grad-school--there is some bad blood out there that could be problematic. I also firmly believe that certain ICU's gain good reputations for producing good SRNA's--maybe find an ICU with a history of a high success rate of acceptance to CRNA programs. Without 1.5-2 years of ICU experience you may not hold up well to questions asked during typical interviews and basic knowledge about hemodynamics/monitoring/pathophys./etc. that you will need in CRNA school.
Bottom line: You open the greatest number of doors with 1.5-2 years of good ICU experience, a BSN, at least a 3.4-3.6 GPA, a GRE of >1000, references from people who know how to write them well, as many bells,whistles, Xmas ornaments, and Cub Scout Merit Badges as you can muster (ACLS instructor, TNCC, PALS Instructor, CCRN, service on committees, etc.) The applications can take up alot of time and resources, stack the cards in your favor and apply when you are really ready. Pay attention to application deadlines, matriculation fees, likely interview dates, cost of living, costs of attendance, program length, program start dates (most start in the Fall, a smaller amount start in May/June, and a small handful start in Jan). The matriculation fees can put you in a real quandry. e.g. school "A" sends you an acceptance letter in October and wants an answer along with your non-refundable check for $1000 within 2 weeks--school "A" costs more than school "B", has a higher cost of living than school "B", and school "A" is like your 3rd choice...darn, school "B" is your first choice, it's cheaper, has a low cost of living, has all the clinicals near the school, but they don't start sending out acceptance letters until mid-Nov.!!!--OMG WHAT DO YOU DO??? WHAT IF YOU DON'T GET INTO SCHOOL "B"??? Hmmm, better come up with $1000 as an insurance policy, huh? :thnkg: I have seen this exact scenario play out--just plan for it.
Hope this helps,
Beedog