First, thank you for taking time to create this website. It is my home page. Fantastic!

It’s early in the game for me, but I want to make sure I am on the right track. I’m applying to nursing school soon. In addition to the pre-nursing requirements (i.e. A&P I & II, Microbiology, Nursing Chemistry I & II), I’ve taken Gen Chem I & II, Orgo I & II, Physics I, Zoology, & Mammalian Anatomy & Physiology (year-long course sequence – taught by a former OBGYN – with a focus on the human body systems). I have a 4.0 in these courses. (I’ve never wanted to go to medical school. I just thought these courses would be useful for CRNA school).

I currently work as a night shift PCT at a large Children’s Hospital, and I volunteered as an EMT for 3 years. Hopefully, I will get into the Honors Nursing program here in my home state (which is a 2-year BSN degree). I’ve been job shadowing a CRNA, and I LOVE IT. I bring journal articles, and we discuss them over lunch (when I am not watching him at work in the OR). Side note: I have a previous degree (in History), so I am a bit older (25 years old).

My question: How can I prepare myself further to be a stronger candidate for CRNA school? Theoretically, I hope to achieve the following by the time of my application:

- Nursing school: Honors (Complete a Research Project), High GPA. Possibly start a student nursing journal club. Continue to job shadow CRNAs. Work as PCT.

- Experience: Get into an ICU position as soon as possible (though I realize that I might have to work in Med-Surg first); Work for 2-4 years; While working, I hope to take Biochemistry I & Analytical Chemistry I as the local university in my home state (if it fits into my schedule). Get PALS, ACLS, BLS, CCRN certified. Continue to job shadow CRNAs. Take GRE.

Finally, apply! (I’ll be about 31-32 by this time – not that age matters too much! I read somewhere that CRNAs are generally around this age, and/or I won’t be the oldest in a matriculating class).

There seem to be a lot of steps to getting into CRNA school, and I want to make sure I running in the right direction. Character is a bit hard to convey in stats, but I try to gain wisdom in addition to stats. (And – as Socrates said – I know what I do not know – which is much! I’m working on it though!) I do know that it would be an honor to matriculate into a CRNA program!

Thank you again for your time and expertise!

Sincerely,

Brit

Thanks for such an inspiring message for those aspiring to become a Nurse Anesthetist. I just promoted to become an Anesthesia Unit Nurse (AU Nurse) here in Singapore. Before I worked in a financing company after I graduated in my Economics degree but things change after 2 years of facing my computer monitor and making my boss wealthier. So I resigned and went for a “finding-myself-road-trip” in an island. So after some drama and realizations, I ended to take up nursing degree. One thing that I discovered while I was a nursing student that time that I wasn’t felt working in an office was FULFILLMENT. I enjoy my nursing class, my clinical training and taking care of people. To make the story short, I was offered a job as an OR Assistant in Singapore after 2 years of failure looking for a nursing job in my home country, Philippines. My colleagues always asking me why I took the job offer to be an OR Assistant even though I was over qualified for the position. My simple answer to them, I need an experience and it would be better if I started from the lowest. But kidding aside, its already my desperate move to be in a nursing career. I can still remember when I was a nursing student and we have our attachment program in the hospital and every time I saw nurses with extraordinary skill and knowledge in the nursing field, I told myself and prayed that someday I want to be like them. Thats why, I was very blessed when I was assigned in OR that of all the hospital departments, working inside OR is the most challenging, tough and envious(some of my classmates) job. For 2 years of working as an OR Assistant, our Assistant of Director of Nursing promoted me to be an Anesthesia Unit Nurse and was very happy to be part of the surgical team. I am not sure if AU Nurse and Nurse Anesthetist are the same work description but one thing that they have in common is they deal in Anesthesia. I know working in Anesthesia needs to have a good knowledge in basics and concepts of anesthesia. Thats what Im working it out right now, since my hospital is just a 100 bed hospital, we dont have much enough background in terms of Anesthesia. As much as possible I can collect some informations, books and references that I can equip myself to have a full knowledge about Anesthesia, Anesthesia Machine, Drugs, etc. I know I still have a long road to take. And all of this happens for a purpose and lots of prayers. My God is very kind enough to give me an opportunity to experience this. Thanks David, for reading this message. I want also to become an inspiration to others. It would be a great help in my part if you can share also your personal and professional experiences on how to become an Anesthesia guy. As a neophyte, I appreciate it. Ill wait for any postings here.

Trevor

First off, relax and try not to second guess those who interview you. Just be yourself and trust that what you bring is just what they are looking for. If they are looking for something else you belong somewhere else.

In our program we absolutely read the cover letters and resume of those we interview. I can not speak to what others do.

Having the CCRN is a terrific asset and goes a long way for you getting to where you want to be. We have a requirement that any who interview and are not selected for what ever reason are required to have the CCRN the next time they apply. If not, well why bother because we told you that was going to be what we look for in that applicant next time. I have seen a couple of candidates that come back for interviews. The ones that are successful are the ones that follow directions and do what we ask like sit for the CCRNA exam. Those that do not bother are not our students.

Again Kelly, there is a school for you and I trust that you will be successful. Having the desire and willingness to really go all out is most important part of what it takes to do the hard work. One more thing, don’t judge your interviewers too harshly, they may have hundreds of candidates applying and you mentioning your having the CCRN just reminded them that they need to be more attentive to their part.

Good luck and keep the goal in view. Do something today, every day, that gets you one step closer to that goal.

David

I just thought I would give you an update. I had my interview at Northeastern University on 1/20. It was a tough crowd. I was so nervous I could barely speak at first! I had to stop myself and tell them how nervous I was. It got better after that, and I even saw some personality come out in the interviewers (I believe they were even laughing at one point). They did ask some very specific clinical questions related to a patient I told them about, but I was prepared and able to answer their questions, although for one question I had to stop and think about it and I told them this. They all nodded when I answered anyway, so I assume I did okay. Something weird I have to ask about though is they seemed to act as if they didn’t read my resume. They asked if I had applied to any other programs and I answered no because I wanted to have my CCRN before applying. Their reaction threw me off a little because one of them said “oh you have your CCRN?” like they had no idea. Was this a test to see how I would react? I can’t imagine them not reading my resume before the interview. This left me feeling like I should have told them a lot more that was included in my resume. A friend of mine interviewed there and was told he needed more experience, they didn’t say anything negative during my interview but I still have no idea how to feel about it. Now I have to wait until March to find out about acceptance. I sent them all thank you emails. This school is my first choice and it would be a dream come true to be accepted there. Any thoughts?

Kelly

Thank you for your comment or really questions. Janiece, don’t worry about the NICU experience or the interview. The only clinical questions that should be asked relate to your actual experience. We have had many very successful SRNA’s that come from with NICU experience. Actually, there is some things that you could use to your advantage, mainly weight based dosing. In adult ICU’s usually but not always, the medication dosing is mcg/min or some such thing while in pediatrics it always mcg/kg.

Just be yourself and have the confidence in yourself that should be born of experience. Nothing else will help.

David,

I am finishing up my application for USC and am VERY interested in going to that school. I have heard nothing but good things, not only about the anesthesia program, but also about the University in general (my uncle is attending there right now and my aunt teaches online classes there). My ICU experience is all NICU. I know you said that PICU is good, but what about NICU? I have also worked at USC Outpatient Surgery and have my MSN in Nursing Education…does those have any pull as far as helping me get an interview? As far as the clinical questions in the interview, are they tailored to fit your area of expertise or would I be required to answer adult ICU type questions? Also, is there such a thing as too many letters of recommendation? Thanks for all of your help! I just found this blog and am having so much fun reading your posts.

Thanks,
Janiece

It sounds like you have all your “ducks in a row”. Don’t worry about the interview, you have prepared with the CCRN. Just be yourself and positive. Good luck.
David

Do you have any advice for the interview? I have one at Northeastern University on the 20th and I am very excited but also nervous. I have a decent GPA, satisfactory GRE score, just received my CCRN last month and have over 2 years experience in a stroke ICU in a level 1 trauma center teaching hospital. I have heard they really drill candidates with clinical questions. I am going to review and be as prepared as I can but any advice would be welcome!

Kelly

I am an ICU nurse in the Philippines. Is an ICU experience outside US okay if you would like to apply as a CRNA student?

Thank you
Gibson Gallo Jr.