Response to Frustrated/Lena Gould, CRNA, MSN
Hello
I understand your frustration but the best advice I can give you is to simply be patient!
I know Registered Nurses who worked for the entire year on a medical, surgical, or telemetry floor before being offered a position on a critical care unit. Their critical assessment and strong work commitment secured them the position. I would not force the issue at this time. For now, apply as positions are available and demonstrate to the Nurse Manager that you are indeed worthy to be a part of the staff based on your past work experience. Please realize that as a Nurse Anesthetist your critical care experience from the unit will be invaluable when taking care of hemodynamically unstable patients.
In the meantime, concentrate on what is required to become a strong applicant before applying to a nurse anesthesia program. Have you researched nurse anesthesia programs that you want to apply to in the future? You should seriously consider at least four programs. Plan on sitting for the CCRN Exam after your first year on the unit. How were your grades in the undergraduate program? If not stellar, either re-take the science courses again and do exceptionally well or consider taking graduate nursing courses (Nursing Research I and II, Pathophysiology and or Advanced Pharmacology).
So, again, I understand your frustration but get yourself prepared in other areas that will be more critically evaluated based on other criteria for a nurse anesthesia program.
Take Care Lena Gould, CRNA, MSN
Founder, Diversity in Nurse Mentorship Program
www.diversitycrna.org
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Response to Ms. Gould
Tue, 11/24/2009 - 6:34am — NurseLayThank you for the response. I have been applying as positions come available, and since my post, I have come to realize that when the time is right, things will begin to set themselves in place (in terms of employment).
I have been looking into the programs in my area (VA/DC). Thank you for informing me that at least four schools should be considered, as I have looked into many, but have only really researched two. My grades from undergrad are good. I graduated from the ADN program with a 3.5 with As in both A&P courses and microbiology. Bs came from the nursing school itself. I am currently completing my BSN online (finish in December of this year) and I have all As and one B so far. I am in my last two classes now. After, I am planning on studying for and taking the GRE, so at least I can have that out of the way for the schools it is a requirement for.
Thank you again for responding. I meant a lot, and thank you for all that you have done within the anesthesia profession.