Would this be a good route to becoming a CRNA? Also a few questions.

[bigchicken9987]

My future goal is to become a CRNA and I was hoping a few of my questions could be answered.

I am going to attend the ADN program this January and plan on trying to find a job as a nurse's aide (technician) in the ICU during my second year of nursing school. Hopefully, by doing this I can begin working in ICU as soon as I graduate (this girl I knew went this route) due to the experience I gained as an aide.

I will begin the BSN program the month after receiving my associates (I have almost completed the prerequisites) and work. From what I hear a university an hour a way from where I live will let you transition from AND to BSN through online courses and if not I can just go the other route and just do it the old fashion way and show up to class.

After working in the ICU for 3 years or so I would like to apply to the CRNA school in Houston. I know there are more qualifications that need to be completed before applying to CRNA school but this is just the academic aspect of it. When I first began college I was very dumb and had C's in Anatomy & Physology I, Dietetics, Intro. to Anthroplogy, American Heritage I, and Rhetoric which I did retake and got A's except in A&P I (got an A in A&P II tho). So my question is will they just look at GPA in total or also look into the fact that I retook classes. Someone told me that they go more on the grades you got once you were in nursing school and that the references were extremely important and not to worry if I retook them. Is this true? (My GPA is a 3.7 right now)

Also, I know this may seem stupid but I am also worried about not being accepted into the program in Houston because I am Hispanic. I've only been to San Antonio and L.A and lots of Hispanics there but not Houston. I live in south Texas so the population is practically 95% Hispanic. Will the committee look down on me because of my race? When I went to Waco, Texas it seemed like everyone was white and a few people where kind of rude so I was just wondering if it's like that too? (And just so you know I'm not racist or anything- personally I don't care what race you are because when it comes down to it people are people).

Is 25 a good age to start the program? How did you pay for nursing school?

I also have a 6 month old daughter right now but she has been a blessing because thanks to her my grades are amazing. Would it be a bad idea to go to CRNA school when you have a 5 y/o kid (I'm not a single mom so I'll have help)?

So do you think I've planned this about right? Any fallacies? Please help me out and let me know if you have any answers to my questions!

[manusko]

The unit techs we have on our floor who ended up working for the unit were selected because of their ability to fit in with the rest of the team. They didnt really get hired because of their experience, because they were not really getting experience as a care giver but more as a helper. That being said, I would try to get into the ICU and make good contacts with the staff and managers.

[RN1980]

if you actually needed a job during nursing school i would forgo the nurse aid route and get something much easier and less stressfull. believe me once you get that rn sheepskin they wont care about nurse aid exp.

[Wolfless]

There are two hospitals in my area. One I am doing clinicals at, the other I just got a job as a NAI on the med/surg floor. I def. could make more elsewhere, but have heard that being a cna will help me get a job once i am an rn. Is this not the case? Should I work somewhere else and make more or try to get something in the ICU? I eventually want to be a crna.

[BSN06]

I researched many programs, interviewed at a few, and am currently in an anesthesia program. I have some advice based on what I have been through.

1. Your goal to work 3 years in the ICU is very good. Many people want to move quickly through the ICU and into anesthesia. I think that can be a mistake because the experience is valuable. Make the most of those years in the ICU and try to learn how and why patients are medically managed. It will only benefit you later on in anesthesia school.

2. Race should not affect the process of being accepted. Schools pride themselves on being diverse. Unfortunately there is often an imbalance in the applicant pool, so the class may not be as diverse as they would like. In the end they will want the students who are most likely to succeed (that means good grades, quality ICU experience, etc).

3. This is big for everyone - it is important to act professional. You may not think this is an issue, especially if you are someone who dresses appropriately and speaks with the interviewers on a mature and professional level. But there are people who do not think about this seriously. Examples of things I have known to happen that had a negative impact: a guy that showed up for the interview in jeans, a woman who showed up with a short skirt and quite a bit of cleavage showing, and at one of my interviews a woman walked in 20 minutes late and was wearing a denim jacket/pants combo. It is important for all of us to represent ourselves with professionalism.

You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders, so this one probably did not apply to you, but I like to share any experiences I have had if someone out there can benefit.

4. I do not have children, but many people in the program do. It is more about having a support system, family and/or a spouse/boyfriend/etc that you can count on. It will be busy, but it is a short period of time for a lifelong career.

5. Grades are important, your more recent grades are even more important, and your science grades are extremely important. I have heard this over and over. Additionally, once you get your BSN you may want to take a few Masters level classes while you are working (if you have time). It demonstrates that you can be successful at the graduate level. Just one class a semester for a year or so would benefit you.

It sounds like you have a good plan. Stick with it, and best of luck! Also, have you checked out minoritynurse.com? There is an interesting article on increasing the diversity of nurse anesthesia. Just a side note.

[daniel_CRNA]

- A aid job will give you a chance to know people in the ICU and eventually, if they like you, you'll most likely get a job (not b/c of experience, but social skills).

- I went the ASN-BSN route, directly to the ICU after the ASN, worked for 2 years while getting the BSN, and got in CRNA school when I finished the BSN.

- I'm hispanic and it was never harder for me to get a job, interview, or anything. Race should not be an issue for you either. Some people may argue that it may work to your advantage.

- I went to CRNA school with many people that had 2+ kids. Get a good plan for that though, and if you want to get this done faster I would not have more kids.

- Keep your grades up. Forget about the old grades and focus on getting A's for the new classes. That helped me the most.

- 25 years to start? are you kidding me?

- The plan looks good. Be proud of who you are, you heritage, and people will see your confidence level and not your race. My point is that if you are worried about not being accepted because you're hispanic, that is something you have to work on and people have a sense for that.

Good luck