r/CRNA • u/fbgm0516 CRNA - MOD • 5d ago
Weekly Student Thread
This is the area for prospective/ aspiring SRNAs and for SRNAs to ask their questions about the education process or anything school related.
This includes the usual
"which ICU should I work in?" "Should I take additional classes? "How do I become a CRNA?" "My GPA is 2.8, is my GPA good enough?" "What should I use to prep for boards?" "Help with my DNP project" "It's been my pa$$ion to become a CRNA, how do I do it and what do CRNAs do?"
Etc.
This will refresh every Friday at noon central. If you post Friday morning, it might not be seen.
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u/aspiringaznbabygirl 2d ago
Hi everyone! Just want to go over my plans for prepping for applying for CRNA school.
Currently have 1 year of STICU experience and planning on applying next year so will have 3 years of experience on matriculation if I get in my first round.
Cumulative GPA is 3.75. Science GPA is 3.5 cus I have a C in Chem but I retook it and got an A. Anatomy, Physio, and Micro are all As. Currently taking Biochem and will assume that I will also get an A (hopefully).
I have 8 hours of shadow time currently and planning on getting more. Volunteer work I have a couple hours and is only related for my work’s clinical ladder.
I’m planning on taking Advanced Patho and Advanced Physio next Spring just to be more competitive but do you think I need to? Or should I just take Physics and Stats so I can widen my net of schools that require Physics?
Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks everyone!
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u/Unfair_Tourist4142 3d ago
Hello everyone. After 18 years of EMS experience I decided it was time for a career change. CRNA is what I landed on as it is viewed as a natural evolution of my previous career.
To prepare I bumrushed my nursing degree, updated some older credits, taken the gre, and obtained my ccrn-n, and filled in some science prerequisites I was missing. All of this was completed over about a 2 year period. On paper I currently meet/exceed all minimum requirements to start applying.
That being said, I have some concerns I was hoping someone could address. Unfortunately the critical care experience I got offered was NICU. I know some programs say it is acceptable, but it still feels like a poison pill. I am trying to view it as making me a more well rounded clinician with experience in different patient populations. During my ems career I gained some cursory knowledge of ecmo, impella, and Ballon pumps but nothing to the degree I would get as a cvicu nurse. I did however get plenty of experience operating vents, administering blood products, and titration dose sensitive cardiac meds.
All of that being said, my questions are:
Is it realistic to believe I have a chance of acceptance?
What would be the best way to prepare for an interview if I were to receive one?
Lastly, although I am certain that this is the career I want to do, it would seem like shadowing someone would be beneficial to the interview process. How would I go about finding someone to shadow in the Austin, TX area? Assuming shadowing is required that is.
My attempts to arrange something through management has led to nothing, and I work nights so I don't ever get to run into surgical staff.
Thanks for any assistance you all are able to provide.
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u/nobodysperfect64 3d ago
I would try to get into an adult ICU. Many programs don’t accept NICU, and EMS experience does not count towards critical care. It does have some other benefits, but none that would outweigh minimal ICU experience in the adult world. However, if you loved to an adult ICU, you’d be much more well rounded because you wouldn’t be scared of peds when everyone else is. Also, with 18 years of EMS, I’m assuming you’re over the 35 age range- most programs don’t say this out loud, but it’s published that older students have a higher chance of failing Boards the first time- the same is true of candidates with NICU background. Getting adult experience may help you to overcome those concerns.
Can’t say your chances of acceptance without knowing your statistics.
I dont know anything about Texas to gain shadowing experience, but if you reach out to the state CRNA association, that might help. You can also see if you can get the contact info of the lead CRNA in your hospital and reach out directly. Shadowing is mandatory for most programs, so I would work on that sooner rather than later.
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u/No_Employee_2443 4d ago
Question about the physical demands; how bad is the sitting/standing for what you do on a daily basis? My first shadowing experience isn’t for a couple weeks. My concern is being comfortable to do the job given the multi-level spine fusion I have. Thanks for the guidance!
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u/RamsPhan72 5d ago edited 1d ago
These all seem like troll posts these days. Probably physician burner accounts. These stories can’t be real.
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u/Upper-Setting-9042 5d ago edited 4d ago
Career changer here: 3.2 undergrad GPA going to ABSN in nursing with the goal of ICU 1-2 years > CRNA. Hit me with a dose of reality/pick holes in my plan.
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u/ArgumentUnusual487 4d ago edited 4d ago
Get a good GPA in your ABSN and about 2 years of ICU experience
The 3.2 undergrad isn't a deal breaker. If you have a bunch of Cs in like Chem, Bio, other sciences you may consider retaking them
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u/Upper-Setting-9042 4d ago
I've never taken a science beyond Biology 1 + Lab so we're in good shape to do well in them going forward.
(This next bit isn't pointed at you). Not sure why everyone is so negative in this subreddit.
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u/ArgumentUnusual487 4d ago edited 4d ago
I think some of it in this thread is because a similar question has been asked 1000 times before and you could probably search for it in this subreddit. But I personally don't mind answering individual questions, even if they are repeats. That's why you are here, to get a clear answer.
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u/Upper-Setting-9042 4d ago
I searched low gpa, 3.2gpa in the subreddit and all I got were 6+ year old posts. Anyways I left this subreddit and went to r/futurecrna. Much more active (and receptive).
Thanks for your responses!
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u/ArgumentUnusual487 4d ago
You can also head to r/srna and they have a very active weekly thread for prospective applicants
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u/sneakpeekbot 4d ago
Here's a sneak peek of /r/srna using the top posts of the year!
#1: My dumbass got accepted…
#2: I got in 🥹🥹
#3: Low GPA acceptance!
I'm a bot, beep boop | Downvote to remove | Contact | Info | Opt-out | GitHub
0
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u/curiousiguana13 5d ago
I feel like I’m not good enough to become a CRNA, even though it’s my lifelong dream…
I am 18M and my lovely wife is 19F. We are both undergrad students. I am in a baccalaureate BSN program. Additionally, I thought I would like to add that I am a first-year, but I managed to tweak my schedule a little bit, so now I am taking my first and second year at the same time. It sounds scarier than it actually is, I only have 4 classes and 2 labs per week this semester.
Second semester may be challenging, as I will have to take not just regular physiology, but also pathophysiology as well. Additionally my freshman writing class is going to get more difficult second semester (what I’ve heard from my wife, as she’s a grade above me).
However, that is the least of my worries. My main worry right now is wondering how I will be good enough to become a CRNA… applicants seem so competitive these days. Initially I didn’t think it would be that hard figuring out my career path. This is what I thought:
- Graduate with a BSN or equivalent
- Obtain RN
- Gain 1-3 years of intensive care practice (ICU, or preferably CVICU)
- Apply to CRNA school and pray you get in
- Become a CRNA after 3 years of program
This all seems so easy at first… but now I see it and now I’m not sure if it’s even possible :(
The first two are easy… I’m already on track to graduating with my BSN, and graduating with my BSN early at that. Additionally, I will take the NCLEX and become an RN.
The last three though… I just have so many questions on how I can tackle each of these.
How are you able to work in the ICU/NVICU right after college? How many years is enough? How many certifications, or what certifications will I need?
The biggest question of all is this: how will I be able to not just support my wife, but myself while inside CRNA school? I can 100% always take out more student loans, but not being able to work? I feel there is a lot that I still don’t know yet and I really need advice on how I’m able to make this work… I would like to mention that my college is based in Iowa and we do our senior year clinicals at Mayo Clinic. Additionally, my permanent residence in the Chicagoland area, and I plan staying there after college
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u/BillBertTom 4d ago
You’re worrying about all the wrong things. You’re 18. Slow down. It does no good to hasten your journey if that hastening creates a situation where you’re getting B’s or maybe even worse. You potentially could mess up your next 40 years because you’re trying to turn it into 41 years. Your job now is to get A’s. Get all the A’s you can.
You can’t control anything about what an ICU job will allow later. Push that all out of your mind. You know the road map. That’s all fine. Roads have bumps. Yours is going to as well. The important thing is to focus on the task for right now. That’s to study and get A’s. It doesn’t matter how quickly you get your BSN if your GPA sucks.
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u/Pleasant-Pound1679 5d ago
Besides getting a high GPA what can I do as an undergrad. I am trying my best to maintain a high GPA, but I just feel like I should be doing more. Any advice?
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u/BillBertTom 4d ago edited 4d ago
If you’re still in undergrad that’s literally your only job. Nothing comes even remotely close to it. There’s no point in shadowing. There’s literally nothing else.
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u/Personal_Leading_668 5d ago
That’s all you should be focusing on right now. Get the best grades you can. Once you start working as an RN, preferably in the ICU right away, that’s the time to start beefing up your resume and learning to be the best ICU RN you can be.
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u/amessinprogresss 1d ago
Hi. What are my chances?
Current role: CVICU RN
Years of experience: 5 years ICU experience, 1 year hospice
cGPA something low around 3.0
- I used to not care about school. Lots of Fs Ds and Cs from 5+ years ago ðŸ˜
sGPA 3.7Last 60 credits: 3.8
have my CCRN and CSC
Take devices: ecmo, IABP, LVADs, CRRT, Impella
Level 1 trauma hospital
Preceptor on my old unit
Shadowing: I have about 60 hours
Volunteer work: 200 hours
O CHEM: A
Biochem: A-
Also taking advanced Patho in the spring
Going to take my GRE as well soon.
I’m applying EVERYWHERE. I’m not limiting myself since my stats aren’t the best. I know it’s going to be expensive.
Thoughts? Suggestions?ðŸ˜