Do I have any chance at all?

[MC831]

OK, so I know I will get blasted for this post. Here it goes. I have wanted to be a CRNA all my life. I am 50 years old, and have worked in the Operating Room since 1985. I have experience in Level 1 Trauma centers. I have experience in Conscious Sedation. I was the sole provider for a Special Forces Team in Afghanistan in combat. I have been through a lot. I fully realize this experience does not take the place for ICU. However, I do not have ICU experience. Currently I work in the ICU on my own time (volunteer, unpaid) on weekends in order to try and get some ICU experience. I have applied to ICU's, and I get the same old response (you must have ICU experience to get into the ICU). It has been my dream for a very long time to become a CRNA. I know, I know, why have I waited this long to plan this out. Well, I never thought that I would be in this position. I am finally able to afford to go to CRNA school (kids grown up, GI bill to pay for college, and financially secure). It is not about the salary of a CRNA, it is about the excitement, and joy of the profession. It is about progressing in my career. Is there a school out there that would accept the experience that I have in order to go to CRNA school? I certainly would love advice on how to get into ICU, in order to get into CRNA School. If I told a prospective ICU manager that my long term goal is to get into CRNA school, then they would certainly not hire me. Why would anyone hire me just to train me for a few years in order to go to CRNA school. If I do not tell them, then I am not being truthful to them.

[gasaholic]

dont' tell them

yes you are being dishonest.

i say... so what?

F 'em

[jagger67]

dont' tell them

yes you are being dishonest.

i say... so what?

F 'em

What gas said.......everybody does it.

[gaspass3]

What gas said.......everybody does it.

+2. Exactly!!! And ICU experience is greatly over-rated, IMHO.

[infidel]

Yes.. Charge nurse experience in a Nursing Home is just as good as ICU experience...

[infidel]

OK, so I know I will get blasted for this post. Here it goes. I have wanted to be a CRNA all my life. I am 50 years old, and have worked in the Operating Room since 1985. I have experience in Level 1 Trauma centers. I have experience in Conscious Sedation. I was the sole provider for a Special Forces Team in Afghanistan in combat. I have been through a lot. I fully realize this experience does not take the place for ICU. However, I do not have ICU experience. Currently I work in the ICU on my own time (volunteer, unpaid) on weekends in order to try and get some ICU experience. I have applied to ICU's, and I get the same old response (you must have ICU experience to get into the ICU). It has been my dream for a very long time to become a CRNA. I know, I know, why have I waited this long to plan this out. Well, I never thought that I would be in this position. I am finally able to afford to go to CRNA school (kids grown up, GI bill to pay for college, and financially secure). It is not about the salary of a CRNA, it is about the excitement, and joy of the profession. It is about progressing in my career. Is there a school out there that would accept the experience that I have in order to go to CRNA school? I certainly would love advice on how to get into ICU, in order to get into CRNA School. If I told a prospective ICU manager that my long term goal is to get into CRNA school, then they would certainly not hire me. Why would anyone hire me just to train me for a few years in order to go to CRNA school. If I do not tell them, then I am not being truthful to them.

Don't forget to carry that level of honesty forward when you are applying to CRNA programs... The end does justify the means. Good luck.. you are the future... we hand the torch to you.

[infidel]

Why not try the Army program.. I am assuming you are an 18D MOS...Humping ruck at your age? Impressive... Let the Army pay for your school.

[pdsr]

Not to throw cold water, but if I had the financial resources to go to anesthesia school at the current costs, and I was 50, I'd just go ahead and retire instead of wasting my retirement fund and pension on a program. If you're 50 now, by the time you get experience, get accepted, graduate, get a job, you're going to be 55 or so. Do you really want to start a new career at 55? I'm 56 now, and some days I don't have the energy to get out and goose hunt, much less start at the bottom of the heap in a new career. The first few years can be very stressful.

[MC831]

I tried the Army Program. Since they are the top school in the US their competitiveness is stiff. I am retired from the military. I work for the VA now, and they have 4 seats in the Army program. Thus, my chances are very slim. 4 seats for 100's of applications from the VA. Just not going to happen. I have the Post 911 GI bill, thus my college is paid for 100%, and I get a housing allowance. With other income at my disposal, financially I have no problems not working and going to school full time. As to being too old, age is not that important now. It is a life goal and dream to be a CRNA. It has nothing to do with finances. Since I am an employee of the VA, I would go on a leave of absence to complete the school and try to get back on. Having an 18D has absolutely no influence on schools. They could care less what my military background contains. It seems to me that the schools want "recent ICU experience", "High GPA", "High GRE score", and science classes withing the past 5-10 years in this order. If one does not have the ICU experience, then they will not even bother talking with you.

[bgcornel]

Pretty much everything you mentioned is what schools want. The ideal candidate would have a 1600 GRE, 4.0 GRE in hard core classes, all the card classes and 10 years of mixed ICU experience. When i started applying to schools I ran into a similar situation, I had 10 years of EMS experience, including 4 years flying. In that situation I was doing a lot of what I do now, managing patients independently, intubating, placing central and art lines. Unfortunately it doesn't mean much. Military medicine is similar in a lot of respects. You do a lot but no one understands it. It also doesn't transfer very well to the civilian world. If this is something you want to do, find a job and move. They're out there, the VA isn't really top tier in regards to health care. Best of luck.

[BigMAC - Army]

For some advice you could contact COL (ret) Scherner, CRNA, at the Army school in San Antonio, former director of the program. He also works for the VA too and could help point you in right direction or finding ICU position somewhere. (210) 221-5377 is the school house number.

[yankeern]

dont' tell them

yes you are being dishonest.

i say... so what?

F 'em

I am with you

[BluejayBehemoth]

I work for the VA now, and they have 4 seats in the Army program. Thus, my chances are very slim. 4 seats for 100's of applications from the VA. Just not going to happen.

Statistics are not quite correct. Four slots year, but only 16 qualified applicants.

I would say work at the VA (despite what some would say, it is a GREAT place to work) and try and get into the ICU. If it comes up in the interview just say something like: "I am strongly considering going back to get an advanced degree in the future and I know working in _______ unit will prepare me for such endeavors." If it takes a couple of years to get into school so be it.

I'm in the VA system now and thus far it has not significantly impacted my plans for CRNA school.