What are peoples thoughts on crnas

msrn25 · Feb 16, 2010

Italy123 do not let anyone discourage you. I have 3 years icu experience and my ccrn. I am getting ready to start a program in august and I knew before I even started nursing school that this was my goal. Sometimes you just hear about something and know that it's meant for you. After shadowing a crna and doing the research on programs it just reconfirmed what I already knew. Besides most college students who enter premed to become a physician have never worked in a hospital. Don't give up! Competition is steep but it's definitely an obtainable goal if you are committed :)

sarahneeyah · Feb 16, 2010

Too many of you have way too much ego on this site. This site was created for us to support each other. If you can't answer an easy question then shut it. No one starts a journey without asking questions. I went to a pre-crna luncheon last year, some of the people who attended weren't even nursing students yet, but they have a dream and they came to obtain knowledge. Stop being rude and inconsiderate when it comes to someone asking for direction. I'm sure some of you are not even in a program yet, bring down the ego and humble thyself. Can I get an amen?

silver1 · Apr 16, 2010

Try asking your question at www.nurse-anesthesia.com , you wouldn't have to deal with the random responses from people who are oblivious to the anesthesia world. It's a more focused forum for CRNA's, SRNA's, and Pre-SRNA's.

Also try doing a search, all of the questions you have asked have been asked many times.

The previous answer by the SRNA was very good! So to reiterate ...

After graduating (hopefully with atleast a 3.0) try to get into an ICU that will give you experience with very high acuity patients, multiple gtts, ventilators, and other equipment. Prior to going to anesthesia school you will want to be able to feel comfortable managing these patients. During a couple of my interviews the Program Directors told me he prefers CardioThoracic ICU experience (trauma ICU, Surgical ICU, then medicine ICU). It looks good on a resume if you have Level 1 trauma center experience, which is what I had/have. After putting in roughly a year, get your CCRN (the exam should not be hard if you work with high acuity patients). Not all schools require CCRN, but you don't want that to be the deciding factor of someone else getting in over you. Get your TNCC, PALS, any credentials you can tack on doesnt look bad. Do your best to stand out in a positive way. Admissions committees want applicants who are well rounded and highly motivated. Prior to going to interviews, practice by doing mock interviews, it really does help.

Most schools do not have 400 applicants for 6 seats, there were some schools like that about 10-15 years ago (one of the many CRNA's I shadowed stated there were 600 applicants for 10 seats). Generally speaking, most schools that have say 25 spots will have about 125-150 completed applications and grant about 60 interviews. But you have to take many factors into consideration, some schools have as little as 6 seats, but there's also a school that has 72 seats. location is a factor. If your willing to move, apply to many schools (increases your odds).

I know someone who have applied year after year, then got accepted from an alternate list on their 5th year. Ive known people to get accepted with only 8 months experience at the time of interview. Ive know people with less than 3.0 GPA's. People with less than 900 on GRE. If your remain highly motivated, eager to learn, and willing to do what it takes you will get in!

In regards to your question is it worth it....you'll have to do a little more investigation into nurse anesthesia and decide that for yourself.

Best of luck to you!

zack1a · Apr 24, 2010

New to allnurses.com, but not new to message boards in general. It's funny how they same angry "matter-of-fact" people on other forums I frequent exist in a "professional" nursing forum.

123Italy, if you want to be a CRNA, ignore the people who have decided they can't do it so no one else can and work hard to do it. I'm no further in my education than you, but I don't have to call any admissions office to tell you how to become a CRNA.

1. Get the experience

2. Get good grades

If you can do these things and set yourself apart from your peers everything else will fall into place.

I aspire to become a CRNA as well and I asure you that I will succeed.

-Zack

goinforit · May 3, 2010

Well, I am glad to say that 5 of my friends are starting school this summer and fall at their respective programs. I hope to be joining the SRNA ranks next year! 4 out of the 5 got in right away and one was an alternate and just got the call that she could attend as well. It seems like just getting yourself to the point of applying is the hardest part. You want to make yourself the most attractive candidate possible and jump through all the required hoops to just apply, but so far for those I know here in the midwest it hasn't been to difficult to get in once you finish all the hoop jumping. The ranges of stats for my friends were gpa: 3.4-3.9 gre: 940-1150 experience:2.5-7 years, most of them have their CCRN. We all work in a 20 bed level 1 Neuro Surgical ICU in Kansas city. Also, we have several schools around here to choose from so that makes a difference as well. It seemed like the odds of those interviewed versus those accepted wasn't too bad either, I believe it was something like 30 interviewed and 12 accepted at one school and similar stats for the other schools. One final note, the person with the highest gpa/experience was the alternate who later got in, so they weighed the interview heavily.