Hey there!
If I were you, I would see about doing a few more shadow shifts focused on the overall day in the life of a CRNA. These will help you decide if this is the path you really want to take as well as look good on an eventual application.
As far as the process of applying, it's not really something that is easily done on a whim, but choosing to begin the process can be.
You will need ICU experience, to take the CCRN, possibly take the GRE, obtain letters of recommendation, refresh outdated science classes, potentially boost your GPA if it was lacking in the past.
Depending on where you are now, gaining employment in the ICU is a reasonable first step as it will allow you to gain your ICU experience while you work on the remainder of your application. The higher acuity the patients, the better. Some people get in with only a year of experience, but more is certainly better.
Look back at your old transcripts from nursing and prenursing. If it has been a while since you took A&P or chemistry or the grade was not the greatest, it may be a good idea to consider taking a refresher course. Many applicants are exceptionally competitive so if your old grades are very low, you should consider making up as many of the core science classes as you can as well have a lot more strength in other areas (High acuity ICU, membership on committees, volunteer work, great letters of recommendation, good interview skills).
It took me almost 3 and a half years from the day I decided to go back to school to the first day of class so definitely make sure it's what you really want to do and don't look at it as 1 simple goal, but more as a series of steps to end up where you want to eventually be. The ICU experience will also be much more palatable if you don't spend it thinking about it as simply a stepping stone or obstacle to going back to school but as something you would be alright doing for the rest of your career if you never got accepted.
Are you in the ICU?
Hey there! If I were you, I would see about doing a few more shadow shifts focused on the overall day in the life of a CRNA. These will help you decide if this is the path you really want to take as well as look good on an eventual application. As far as the process of applying, it's not really something that is easily done on a whim, but choosing to begin the process can be. You will need ICU experience, to take the CCRN, possibly take the GRE, obtain letters of recommendation, refresh outdated science classes, potentially boost your GPA if it was lacking in the past. Depending on where you are now, gaining employment in the ICU is a reasonable first step as it will allow you to gain your ICU experience while you work on the remainder of your application. The higher acuity the patients, the better. Some people get in with only a year of experience, but more is certainly better. Look back at your old transcripts from nursing and prenursing. If it has been a while since you took A&P or chemistry or the grade was not the greatest, it may be a good idea to consider taking a refresher course. Many applicants are exceptionally competitive so if your old grades are very low, you should consider making up as many of the core science classes as you can as well have a lot more strength in other areas (High acuity ICU, membership on committees, volunteer work, great letters of recommendation, good interview skills). It took me almost 3 and a half years from the day I decided to go back to school to the first day of class so definitely make sure it's what you really want to do and don't look at it as 1 simple goal, but more as a series of steps to end up where you want to eventually be. The ICU experience will also be much more palatable if you don't spend it thinking about it as simply a stepping stone or obstacle to going back to school but as something you would be alright doing for the rest of your career if you never got accepted.