Want to know what 1st semester of CRNA school is like and how it feels to be a new SRNA? Well, a couple of my classmates and I give you the inside scoop.
Amazing collaboration!!! I always leave with so many nuggets after viewing your videos and I can't thank you and your friends enough for the time you take out of your incredibly busy days to share your experiences with us! God bless you all!
Bolt, I'm glad you guys are having fun I've been an Anesthesia Tech for 20+ years and know the struggle SRNA go through. I pray everyday fir the students that comes to our hospital.
I lovedddd what the guy you interviewed said about stopping competing against each other once you are in you SRNA class.... Very important !!!! As it relieves some of the burden to be in CRNA school. Thanks!!!
Love these videos, currently working towards my BSN with plans to start out in a Tele unit, then progressing toward varying ICU settings (CVICU and PICU) where I plan to get my CCRN cert.
I love this channel lol, so inspiring & motivating... Bloopers were life 😂🙌... I genuinely wish the best as you approach the end of your journey my guy ✊
Extremely helpful information! Thank you guys for this post it was very informational and the advice was extremely helpful! Thank you guys and good luck on your future career endeavors.
Peace be to you sir! this sounds incredibly grueling, but fun (in a masochistic kind of way)! I'm glad you maintain an exercise regimen. I was VERY impressed with the CRNA s I met whilst doing my PA training. I wish you the VERY best in your endeavors! Peace!
Hey Bolt! First off, I just want to thank you for making a bunch of helpful videos with much needed insight. Secondly, I wanted to let you know a little about myself, my current situation, and also ask you a thing or two that I've been wondering about for sometime now. I currently live in El Paso, TX, I have a Bachelor Degree in Biology as well as Nursing. Have my CCRN, PALS, ACLS, TNCC, GRE, etc, and soon I hope to pass the CCRN-CSC. I've currently interviewed for 2 schools and am currently holding the #1 alternate spot for Western Carolina University's MSN-Anesthesia program. Having said all of this, most CRNA schools put a strong emphasis on the following science courses: General Chem 1, A&P 1 and 2, Microbiology, Statistics and Research, some even want Organic Chemistry. I have an "A" in all of these classes, except for Organic Chemistry, I made a "C". Therefore, I'd like to ask the following: 1. Should I retake organic chemistry even though I've applied to schools that don't require it? 2. Have you needed or have you found it useful to have a good understanding of O-Chem while attending CRNA school? How much O-Chem do SRNAs use? 4. Or is O-chem just a "weeding out method" for CRNA school applicants?
You'll use topics like physics and organic chemistry throughout the CRNA program. They apply to the pharmacokinetics and dynamics of volatile anesthetics, locals, ph levels etc. If the program you're interviewing at is concerned with your C in O-chem then I would retake it. If it's not something they found very important I wouldn't retake it. As long as you have a decent undergrad level grasp on chemistry you'll be in a good starting point for learning more advanced concepts in CRNA school.
Eymari Yinalen Interesting topic. People in CRNA school all study a little differently, I'd have to get a few students to talk about their methods. Definitely a possible future upload.
Hey Bolt, Fellow nurse here looking into the CRNA route. I'm glad you talked about the depression side of CRNA. I read a study that said as of 2013, the life expectancy for an anesthesiologist is 66 years. I'm not sure about CRNAs, but I'm sure it's close to it. For people that think that pay is the only factor I would think it over. Mental health is a serious aspect. In the future can YOU talk about the isolation you go through from the public, friends, and family. ALSO, how can I develop my detail orient habit, and kill procrastination?what certifications do you recommend will help me get into an icu. Best of luck and God bless,J. L
jeff l Yeah, the career is demanding and stressful. Drug/Alcohol abuse is more common than many other careers. Divorce rate is high too, like with many high demand careers. It's all about balance and staying healthy, developing healthy coping mechanisms. For CRNA school you should obtain your ACLS, PALS and CCRN. You should develop purposeful habits and stick to them, that may help you.
Im really nervous about doing this. Im a high school senior, preparing for the teas test right now, to get accepted into a nursing program. In high school i never studied at all, and had a 1.9 gpa, i feel like learning to study and not be on my computer or video games is going to be extremely hard, but im going to try and learn to study and become disciplined. Pray for me
Hey, I didn't graduate high school with honors either. Once I got to college and fell In love with the path of nursing, I've been scoring the highest grades in my classes. It feels good knowing you're heading down a right path. The teas is easier than the ACT
I started college with a 1.something GPA and now have a 3.6 GPA. I’m in my AP2 and Micro class before nursing school. I hated school in Hs and everything changed once I found good professors in college. Anyone can be a great student.
I'm a freshman nursing major and I have a 3.0 GPA currently, planning on bringing it up of course. I was so used to not studying in high school and getting away with a 4.0. I'm glad you said you don't study 100% of the time and that you value mental health. I'm just hoping to get out of nursing school alive lol but CRNA seems the best grad option to me and that's the ultimate goal!
Good to see you're setting your goals and working towards them. I'm definitely an advocate for mental health days and working smarter and not harder. Although I'll admit as the program progresses and the workload triples I'm finding it rare for me to find a day I'm not seriously studying.
You’re gonna want a way higher gpa than 3.0. I’ve been in the icu for 9 years. I take all the critical patients in sicu. I am also a clinical instructor and trained in midline insertion. I’ve applied to crna school 3 years in a row and can’t get in because my gpa is a 3.0
I'm still working toward my Associates Degree in Nursing with the ultimate goal of becoming a CRNA. I personally struggled with A&P. To think that this requires something even more challenging makes me very nervous!
It's like getting ready to run a marathon. Right now you're trying to figure out how to jog 1 mile and looking years ahead at the 26 miles of the full marathon and panicking. Don't do that, focus on the 1 mile for now and you'll be surprised how much your capacity increases as years and education continues.
I am 29 years old and I am just starting my BSN course work (I'm a "Junior"). I currently work for a group of Retina Surgeons and I am so excited to start nursing school but, I feel like I am going to be starting so late in the game. Do you see many of these type of people (people starting school later in life) succeed at nursing school as well as CRNA program. I guess I should say I am a very organized and great with time management. It's just discouraging to know I won't be working in my dream job until I am in my late 30s.
There are probably 5 people in my class who are over the age of 40. If you look into med school stats you'll also see people succeeding in that field who are not in their 20's. If it's your passion and you're willing to make the sacrifices, it's an attainable goal.
hey, im in college right now finishing up my nursing school pre-reqs. i know i want to become an APN in the future, and i was wondering what made you decide to decide to go into Nure Anesthestry? im in between wanting to be a NP and a CRNA
I’m going into my senior year in highschool. It’s so scary thinking about the future and what steps tot take to get to my goal. I know I shouldn’t be too worried about this right now... I plan on going to a community college first, then going to a regular college earning my masters degree in business and nursing (just in case nursing doesn’t go my way). I just finished my junior year, and I have never pushed myself as hard as I did that year. I maintained a 3.8 GPA and I’m learning to not procrastinate and to always do more than expected. I’m a huge planner and organizer so I hope I can pursue crna as a career. Would you reccomend getting a dog during education, seems like there won’t ever be enough time for one...
Hi there! I will be starting a CRNA Program in Miami next month. Do you recommend any particular resources out there for beginner's to understand the anesthesia machine? Appreciate your perspective and advice!
The anesthesia machine is very complex so don't expect yourself to just get it right away. There is a video Aisha SRNA posted with a run through on an anesthesia machine check that may be helpful with visuals.
What is your most important skill regarding patient care? At the teaching hospital I work at CHLA the attendings/fellows would ALWAYS SCREAM at them..."AIRWAY AIRWAY AIRWAY" , "to-do that LMA/ET TUBE", "YOU INTUBATED HIS GASTRIC", "GET OUT OF MY OR". Do they preach that at your school?
The airway is an important focus. I wouldn't say it's to the extreme behavior that you described but if you're lacking in skill or safety your CRNA/MDA will let you know it quickly.
Are you able to work as an RN while going to CRNA school or do you basically have to quit your job and focus on school? Or would a casual position still be too much work for how much time you have to take to study, etc?
Bolt, I recently came across your page and absolutely enjoy the material you provide - thank you! I wanted to ask you, and maybe you have a video on this, but can you provide some advice on how one would remain financially stable while in CRNA School, and can you share some details on how you do it? If you take out loans, did you take out a lump sum to cover your living expenses throughout your entire planned time in CRNA School? I know that if I pursue this route, I would not want to work. So besides saving as best as I can, what steps would you advise be taken? Thank you!!
Glad you like the videos! I have discussed it somewhere before but I can make an upcoming video about it to go in depth about how I handled finances in CRNA school.
I'm currently in nursing school. Should I get my associates in chemistry now or wait until I'm ready to apply for CRNA school. I was thinking it would be more fresh if I wanted to take the courses. Which one will make me a better candidate? Thank you! Last question!
Thomas Tyner Having an associates in Chemistry probably won't be very impactful on your application. Having organic chemistry on your transcript with an A will look great though. If you insist on a chem associates then I suppose the fresher the info the better.
Hey Bolt. How important is your GPA vs. the other criteria (LOR, personal statement) when trying to get into school? most schools that I looked into say at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Also did you have to take the GREs?
Andre Patrick Almost all programs require the GRE and I did take it, a miserable exam. The program will look at transcripts, GPA and letters of recommendation to decide who makes it to personal interview. The personal interview and the "feel" they get from you will be what really determines who they pick.
I am currently in CRNA school and have a 3.1GPA and had interviews with 3 schools. while they are important they aren't the deciding factor. and The GRE isn't always required. but the CCRN has a greater importance than the GRE in many programs but not required either.
If you are looking at the crna route, make sure you are passionate about this. I am in a nursing program to become an lvn. After almost a year into it, I can say nursing is not the field for me. I'm just not passionate about treating people. I am however passionate about treating animals and becoming a vet. I will finish the program. But not gonna go further than that. I will go to vet school because I love animals . I will graduate at 26 but I will make good money and have a job I love a lot.
Hah, if I figure that out I'll let you know. Serious answer is it's just student loans. There will be plenty of money offered to live on. Bank/loan companies love to give SRNAs money because they know you'll have a great income when you graduate. The catch is it accumulates and builds interest as soon as you take it out. Just live frugally.
Hi, my name is Ariel Thofield. I only did three years of high school. My "class rank" number was #246 out of 322 graduates. I was the "Class of 2017". I don't trust my parents and I can't trust them. I want to become a "Labor and Delivery" Nurse Anesthesist cuz I like babies, you know. Tell me what I need to do cuz I'm going to school to be a "scrub tech" but I do have anxiety and I can't have kids due to my anxiety.
No, most programs prohibit you working at all during the program. If you choose to squeeze in one shift a week or something you will probably burn out, not to mention the professors won't help you if you go against their recommendations.
It's great that you already know what you want to do as early as the start of high school. Check out my interview with Cassie, she talks about her path to CRNA from high school and how she prepared.
hey! bolt currently I'm high school student, and I'm about to go college this coming fall I just watched some of your videos, you mentioned that chemistry and physics are required, looks like am not good at physics please can you give me valuable advice about that ? Thank you!
What's make an good candidate after one year of experience ? I was thinking having an two degree related to CRNA school. Also, having a good 3.4-3.6 GPA and a strong GRE score.
Hi there, my son is in Grade 12 and he is very interested in becoming a CRNA. May I know what subjects he needs to take and focus on? Is it biology, chemistry, physics?
Yes, he'll need to get his two years of prerequisites for a BSN RN program done, then apply to a nursing program and complete his bachelors of science in nursing which is approximately two more years. The two years of prereqs have a heavy math/science focus with some humanities.
Thomas Tyner From what professors on the admissions panel have told me, they're pretty important. They want to know what other accomplished healthcare professionals have to say about you personally and professionally.
Good eye. We were 4 weeks into studying the renal system. If I never see another GLUT 1/GLUT 2 or the way urea moves within the nephron, I'll be a happy man.
How it interacts with the aldosterone/ angiotension complex too is interesting i believe the compounds influences sodium re absorption into the body which intern influences the water lvls to control blood pressure i think i could have a few details misplaced, but definetly going to blurt out some of the old a and p every once in a while to retain it lol
There are a handful of students in class who have kids. They just have to become masters at time management and assemble a support team around them. There are sacrifices though which include not spending as much time as you'd like with family.
I don't like to say on my channel just because my views and opinions are my own and don't reflect on my university. I don't want people to misunderstand my advice or anecdotes to be representative of my school.
I understand...I'm also originally from Alabama and have lived in TN for 15 years. Just recently moved to KY and I am just starting out on my nursing journey with ultimate goal of becoming CRNA. I have been looking at the options of anesthesia programs in TN although I'm sure VERY premature for my career. I am just trying to plan for the quickest route since I'm a late bloomer at figuring out what I REALLY wanted to do in life
thomas tyner Having a solid foundation of Chem and Biochem will definitely help you understand the basics faster. Physics may help a little but not as important.
All throughout LPN and RN school, I studied solo. There is no way in hell I would be able to focus. Especially if a student mentioned something I didn't go over yet, I would start panicking.
We try hard to not be too competitive in our program. The professors told us day one that the competition is over now, we all got into CRNA school and no longer have to compete. For the most part, people adjusted well to that.
What's the chances of someone getting accepted into CRNA school just having your BSN for an year? I feel like that person will do better than someone who been away from school for 5 years
Thomas Tyner We've discussed this topic as a class before. Everyone has different opinions but I think we all agree that having a few extra years experience gives you an edge in some circumstances while being fresh out of school gives you an edge in other ways. If you're a strong candidate they will take you with only 1 year experience, usually. Some schools require 2 years.
I honestly believe RRTs should be allowed to do this. All the things we learn are closely related and a lot of our RRT specific skills translate well into this feild.
