CRNA programs in California

Here's a list of the CRNA programs in California. There are 5 certified programs in CA. I wrote specific comments for the schools I know about.

California State University Fullerton/ Kaiser Permanente School of Anesthesia-24month program. Does not require the GRE. During the interview process, they will not ask any Clinical questions whatsoever! All personal questions like "why do you want to be a CRNA." No clinical questions means that they won't ask questions like "Explain vasopressin to me and how it works on the receptors", or "Tell me about the Intra-aortic Balloon Pump and how it's timed" (I was asked this question at Loma Linda's Interview). They did ask me this question at the Kaiser interview though "Tell me about a difficult patient you had and how you dealt with it." So it wasn't directly clinical but it can include clinical content depending on your answer.

Samuel Merritt University / Samuel Merritt College-Another 27 month program. With a class size of 25-28 people. To be honest, I don't know a lot about this program personally.

University of Southern California- Great program 24 month program. Requires the GRE. It has a 16 student class size so is very personal. They have a whole day for their interview process. They have a clinical interview portion where they actually just started to give clinical scenarios that are pre-prepared, give you lab values, and ask you what you would do. My friend recently said that they even handed her an EKG and asked her what she would do for it (the EKG was SVT). They also have the personal interview portion which includes questions like what are strengths and weaknesses or why you want to be a CRNA.

Loma Linda University: -30 month program. This program is a private Seventh Day Adventist University (A form of Christianity). They do have strict rules that students must follow. No drinking, smoking, or drugs while you are in the program. The cafeteria and campus encourages vegetarianism, I don't believe they serve meat in the cafeteria, but still has great food! They are very focused on health. They do ask clinical questions so be ready for it. This is actually the school I am attending:) They are very well known for their medical school and their CRNA program is actually fairly new, just started last year. I am Seventh-Day Adventist as well so this school's belief's matche mine. They have a 12-14 student class and really strive to help you get through the program. They have one of the larger cadaver collections in the US. They even use the same freezing and splicing technology that "Body works" uses. The CRNA have access to the pre-med students facilities and resources as well. We took a tour and it was amazing!

*National University, Fresno. -27 month program.This is a brand new program that just received accreditation in 1/2012! They are accepting applications from 4/1-6/30. There program starts in April of next year that I am aware of.

I am going to post a CRNA school interview post soon.


Great reference website for CRNA programs and requirements (This is where I got some of the information above) For further information on any requirements for any school inside or outside of CA check this website out. They even have it categorized by most expensive programs, the length, or even those that do and don't require the GRE.

http://www.all-crna-schools.com/crna-schools.html

What are the prerequisites for becoming a CRNA?

Its never too early or late to start thinking about becoming a CRNA.


Whether you are thinking about becoming a nurse, taking pre-req's, in nursing school,  just graduated or have 10 years of experience, now is the time to start thinking about it.

I am sure that you have so many questions and may not even know how to begin your journey to becoming a CRNA.

Let's start with the most vital question.          
               What are the prerequisites for becoming a CRNA?
1. First of all get into an ICU and gain your experience
          -ICU experience is a requirement to even apply. Usually you have to work
          at least one year in the ICU.
          -Some schools accept PICU and NICU experience, most most want adult
           ICU experience
          -Check this website out for specific programs that even accept ER
           experience. This is my go to website for all the CRNA school
           requirements. It list GPA requirements, experience requirements, and
           everything else.
               http://www.all-crna-schools.com/crna-programs.html#section1
           -Remember that it can be hard to start in an ICU as a new grad.
           -It's not the end of the world to start in a telemetry unit.
           -I started in telemetry, got my experience and time management then went
           to the ICU for 2 years. What is important is what you make of your
           experience.
2. Most schools require a GPA >3.0.
           - Most schools require at least a 3.0 GPA. I have to be honest though,
            even with a 3.0 GPA, you are gonna struggle to get in. A competitive 
            GPA is a 3.5 or above. From what I have researched and heard from
            different schools personally is that some schools look at your science
            GPA( major prereq science courses) separately, others focus more on
             your nursing GPA in nursing school itself. It really depends on the
             school. If you did not do so great in your pre-nursing, strive to get good
             grades in nursing school itself.
             -For those of you who may not have that competitive GPA don't give up!
             Trust me there are still ways to get in. There are some 3.9-4.0 students
             who still do not get accepted, and visa-versa, there are those 3.0
             students who do. Why? Well it depends on how you plan out your path
             to becoming a CRNA. Check out my Q&A post (soon to come)
 3. Most schools require the GRE.
           -What is the GRE? Check out this site:
                      http://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about
             -Remember I said MOST....not all
             -I am going to be honest here, I didn't take it. Why you ask? I decided to
             focus my efforts on a different route. I knew the 2 schools in California
             that I wanted to attend, and I also knew that they didn't require the GRE.
             I decided to focus only on those schools this year and study to pass 
             the CCRN(Critical Care Registered Nurse Certification). Most schools
             state that it is highly recommended to have this but not mandatory.
             -I am going to be honest guys, the CCRN looks great if you have it!
             -I have great advice for those who ask. I know what questions to do,
             what  book to study (note I wrote book, not books!) And what lectures
             to watch ( if you are interested, contact me and I can give you advice 
             on it.)
            -You can alway contact me at hiruma83@gmail.com
                  -whether it be for CCRN info or other questions or post
                  requests, feel free to let me know.
            -As for the GRE, I know Kaplan has a great book out, great vocab flash
            cards, and a great course.
           -One word of advice, they usually look at each individual score. There is a
           mathematics portion and a verbal portion ( I think they just added an
           essay section as well). If you do great on the math and horrible on the
           verbal, then some schools may ask you about it. Some schools state on
           there website that they look at total score, but even if you score 100% on
           math and low on verbal, it's something that they will most likely ask about.
           Other schools actually state that they want a certain math and certain
           verbal score. It truly depends on the school.

Once again for finding out specific program requirements in the US visit this site:
http://www.all-crna-schools.com/crna-programs.html

Also if you have any questions, request for posts, or even just comments, feel free to contact me at hiruma83@gmail.com

So many new things to come

Alright everyone,

Here's a shout out to all those who dream to be a CRNA. It's a tough road to start on but if you really put your mind to it, it's possible.

In the next couple of days, I am going to post a guide on how to get into CRNA school. This will include resources that I have found useful when I started. I am going to be honest, I may not be an expert. I believe I was blessed and got accepted into Loma Linda University's program. I believe that I have done my research and hope that it comes in handy for at least one person out there.

All right so here is an important aspect of this blog. I need feedback. I want to be able to answer any questions that people may have. I am going to make a Q&A section, any particular questions you have? Post a comment or email me at hiruma83@gmail.com

Dream to "Pass Gas" (Nurse Anesthesia)

 

This goes out to everyone who is dreaming about becoming a CRNA! The road may be harsh, but if you really want it, you can achieve it! Hard work does pay off, and persistance is important. Things may not go the way you expect but if you keep trying, dreams can come true! So don't give up!

This is the beginning of my Road to becoming a CRNA

I am a Japanese American male who is 28 years old, and miraculously just got accepted to Loma Linda University's CRNA program. I start in September of 2012. 

I leave you with this:

" I am going from wiping butts (Bedside nursing), to my ultimate goal of passing gas (Nurse Anesthesia)!"- ME

Hey, you have to have a little humor in life or you won't last! When things get stressful, laugh it off:)