only 1 year of experience

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

Hello,

I will be applying to CRNA school in the fall. I will start my first nursing job in an ICU in May. Does anyone know of any schools who actually consider applicants who will only have 12-14 months of experience by the time the program begins? Or are there any recommendations to schools who don't mind minimal experience but with high GRE, GPA and good reference letters?

Thanks,

Jessica

japaho41,

I am starting to feel pretty good most days at work. I find that no matter how experienced the other staff is, there is always something they don't know. I take comfort in that because I know there are many layers to the onion, so to speak, and it's o.k. to not know everything as long as you know the basics of when to ask for help and where to find critical information.

I feel ready to apply to CRNA school because I know I can learn. I can think critically now due to my experience in the ICU. I am more organized than I have ever been in my life. I think in priorities now. I know that I don't know and I'm o.k. with that because I will learn.

ICU,

You sound like you have it all together. I wish you all the luck in the world. Where do you plan to apply? I will finish my BSN (hopfully) by July of 2007. I will apply to Samuel Merritt in Oakland and Kaiser Permanente's school in Pasadena, I'm not sure about others. I have years of old ICU, SICU experience but am in the E.D. now. I completely agree with your finding that even the most experienced nurses come across things they are unsure of. The ability the think on your feet, stay calm, use resources well and prioritize, is what it's all about; that along with a good knowledge base

I hope to see you posting as a CRNA along with me in a few years.

Take care,

91CRN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

91CRN,

Thanks for the compliment. I only wish I had it all together. But I'm working on it! Good luck in your application process. I applied to Kaiser and got an interview. Unfortunately, I didn't get in this year. They were all very professional and nice to the applicants. I had a good experience dealing with them (except for the rejection).

I know someone who got into Samuel Merritt for this Fall. He is very excited. I didn't apply there. Are you in California? Do you speak "conversational Spanish"? Because USC in LA has a school too. I didn't apply there because of the Spanish thing. I only know a few words.

I applied to and am interviewing at OHSU in Portland in a couple of weeks. You should check out their website. They are not listed on the AANA website yet because they won't be accredited until this Fall. They say they prefer "recent" ICU experience. But it sounds like you have some very valuable experience in a lot of different areas to offer. In any event, keep on truckin' and good luck with everything!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SRNA.

I dread the day that I feel like I know what I'm doing because that will be the day that I quit nursing. Seriously - what's more *boring* than knowing that nothing new will ever come down the pike? Really hoping that never happens - or at least I've moved on to something else before it does. Doesn't seem like it could happen in nursing, but the 20 year vets at work disagree.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU & SICU.

It's not necessarily knowing it all it is the progression of autonomy and less reliance upon those whom are experienced in your unit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU-CVICU.

I don't want to cause a firestorm, so please, please don't flame me for saying this. I asked the question about success in CRNA school compared to experience (to a PhD CRNA at a very good program). My answer...experience does not matter. In fact, the only thing the study showed that was a predictor of failure was age. Starting after age 40 was the most common variable in those that weren't successful in the program.

I haven't seen the study, and to my knowledge this program doesn't accept/reject based on this "study". Just passing the information along. I'll be approaching that age when I start, so I have given a lot of thought to why it could be so that I can avoid the pitfalls.

May

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Starting after age 40 was the most common variable in those that weren't successful in the program.

Wow May!

I would like to see the study. I think it would be very important for us 40somethings to be able to avoid some of the pitfalls. I, for one, am always open to warning signs like this.

I wonder what it is about age that influences? I know people our age have a lot of family "baggage" so-to-speak...kids that may or may not be out of the house, aging parents, grandchildren.

Or is it dying brain cells? I'm serious. Well. regardless, I will not be dissuaded from pursuing my goal. (And I know you did not post this to do anything of the kind.;) ) I have successfully competed with people much younger and smarter than myself because I was focused on my goal (something I wasn't able to acheive when I was younger). But it would be nice to know the facts about that study.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU-CVICU.

Don't panic! I think they just went back through their files and looked at all the people that didn't pass...the only common variable was age! I didn't ask any questions about the quality of their "study" (their word).

Good luck!

May

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, UT knoxville, CRNA Program, 01/07.

It is totally school depenedent. My school took grnated interviews to some applicants with 900's on their GRE's. They didn't get in, but did get an interview. They also took some 1300 gre's, with 1 year ofexperiece or less and gave them interviews, 1-2 got in i think. It is very dependent on your schools director and admissions council. good luck and dont be dsicouraged.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.
... TWU kinda counted my TC experience (most schools don't)...

soren,

sorry, but i can't agree with you at all on this TC thing.. this is the second post i have read re: this, and they are the only two that i have come across since my inception.. what exactly are u referring to? to my knowledge, most committees that i have been in contact with have been only pleased with my experiences, which is basically all TC... and i have researched many schools in my passing, and have not seen this statement, and all basically saying the same thing re: the types of ICU's, such as general, SICU, MICU, CV/CTICU, etc... i would encourage anybody starting out or improving skills, that a TC will offer more variety and complexity than most other non-identified TCs..

just MY 0.02 worth -

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac/CCU.

dfk,

I guess I wasn't clear in my earlier post. After graduating I worked one year in a trauma center, not a trauma critical care. I do feel it was a wonderful experience (I'm pretty darn good at IV's) and I learned a lot. When I decided CRNA was what I wanted, I started researching schools. The ones I looked at typically said 'trauma center/ER work will be couted as experience per the disgression of the director of the program'. When I directly contacted the director of programs I was interested in, it didn't seem like they would accept it. TWU pretty much said I needed to transfer to critcare immediately, but that all applicants were looked at individually. At the time of the interview, I only had 9 months critical care experience (it's a general unit, I specialize in CVOH pts).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in MICU & SICU.
I don't want to cause a firestorm, so please, please don't flame me for saying this. I asked the question about success in CRNA school compared to experience (to a PhD CRNA at a very good program). My answer...experience does not matter. In fact, the only thing the study showed that was a predictor of failure was age. Starting after age 40 was the most common variable in those that weren't successful in the program.

I haven't seen the study, and to my knowledge this program doesn't accept/reject based on this "study". Just passing the information along. I'll be approaching that age when I start, so I have given a lot of thought to why it could be so that I can avoid the pitfalls.

May

I think you would be surprised at the degree of scrutiny that some programs are looking at you with. Don't fool your self there are programs that are weighing pretty heavy on age. Why do you think they are asking personal questions that don't really pertain directly to the program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I find the stated reason for failing CRNA school being 'age 40 and over' the only variable in common surprising and I would not let this one rather vague study discourage anyone considering CRNA education.

It would be interesting to get feedback from individuals who began school when they were 40+. I would imagine the most difficulty would be perhaps the physical stamina required and maybe you could make an effort to get in shape, eat healthier etc prior to starting school to help negate this factor. I don't see any other reason why age would make a significant difference, especially given the focus, dedication, commitment it often takes to even get to the point of qualifying for CRNA school. What do you think? Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment