another eager student c questions

Specialties CRNA

Published

hello to all,

i've been reading and viewing forums for a while now, and decided to say hello finally and get some of my questions out there, even though they have all been asked and answered before by other people with the same questions as i.

i want to practice anesthesia, i love the field, i love the or environment, the critical thinking, etc. my dad is an md, but i chose the nursing route for many reasons, i have shadowed a crna and it got me so excited, like that feeling of "yes i found it this is it"!!!

but, with all that considered, i am only half way through my bsn, so i have so much ahead of me, and i am currently working in the icu as a tech, i tutor anatomy, and previous nursing semesters, i was told i can get a letter from the crna i followed, i'm trying to gather all the things i can to prepare for my application process to the different schools. here's the catch, i have not been getting strait a's like the other people i have read about here, as a matter of fact, i've received 2 a's and 5 b's out of my seven nursing courses so far... , but i am only half way through and there is time to raise that gpa, (3.56 total), and i did receive a's in all my bio classes. any how,

what are the chances that these b's will get in the way of getting an interview etc? i feel that once a committee meets me and hears what i have to share, by the time i get the icu experience i need it will be ok...but until then...

i know i should focus on nursing school now, and i am but just wanted to know what you all have to say, i respect and appreciate your input.

ps- what is this total gpa vs. science or nursing gpa, i mean my nursing gpa, is that just the courses that begin with n-, or is it the entire gpa from the 6 semester program which would include psychology, and other non nursing courses or is it nursing plus bio anyhow. just obsessing over here.

thanks for your input, ps i so admire this profession and those who are invloved.:)

I am sure that the 4.0 gpa is not tried and true. May of the nurses I have worked with over the years that were highly intellegent and had high gpa's could not integrate their knowledge effectively. That does not mean that every 4.0 person can not integrate their knowledge. Especially when you really get to know the nurses that become clinical instructors. Many of them are 4.0 gpa students, they quiz you on your book smarts and not on how you apply the information. On the other hand the best instructor I ever had was a 4.0 and could use the information flawlessly in the clinical setting. So don't take all the threads to heart! By the way I had only a 3.25 and I will be starting in CRNA school this fall.

Specializes in SICU.

Wow, i waited a week and this thread really took off. thank you all for your responses. Yes, i have thought about the whole "well rounded" aspect. i do tutoring, and i work as a tech in the ICU, play in the university's symphony, and i hope this shows i might have B's but im involved in many things etc. I just want it so bad, i know you all understand what it's like to have that dream. When i shadowed a CRNA, i was so excited all the way home, i thought yes i want this, now what do i have to do to get it?...

So now it's so far ahead of me, another 1.5 year for BSN, the 3 years experience of ICU, plus the 2 years in grad school.. I mean 6 to 7 years, thats forever from now, but I just feel excited about it.

I enjoy reading your responses.

Thank you

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I am a Mayo ICU RN and I recently went through the interview process my self. I was lucky and got accepted into the program. do prefer Mayo nurses. They do know the nurses better and the docsThey who write the letters of reccomendation. I had a Cardiac surgeon who is the head of the education chain. I feel they do not necessarily base it on only qualifications but the total package. I looked into and interviewed at The Lacrosse program as well but was truly hoping to get into the Mayo program since I know the system and have been there for quite sometime. As soon as I found out that I got in.. I called Lacrosse and let them know that I will not be coming to there program. I feel that the Mayo program is just best for me for multiple multiple reasons. Mayo only accepted 26 SRNAs this year. It is a very attractive program to most people. I also got an interview at the Minneapolis school of anesthesia but I am going to cancel my interview. Good luck to all of you who are trying to get in. I only have a 3.34 GPA for my BSN and 4 years ICU experience and GRE scores sucked!

Specializes in SICU.

I only have a 3.34 GPA for my BSN and 4 years ICU experience and GRE scores sucked! It's a little more reassuring to know that the person is more then just numbers (GPA, GRE etc). I hope that my grades wont be the reason i have to choose a differant career choice...:)

I have a BA in History. I was planning on going to Med School, so I went back to pursue a BS in Biology, but have changed my mind to Nursing. With the goal of becoming a CRNA someday, what do I need to do?

My BA GPA (History) was around 2.5. That was in 1999. Since going back to school, I've taken advanced bio (including Genetics, Cell Bio) chem, O-chem, physics, graduate level human phys (remember I was trying to impress a Med school0 and calculus. With the exception of a C in calc, I've gotten nothing but A's and B's. However, because that all gets tossed in with my original GPA of 2.5, I STILL don't quite have a 3.0.

So, here's my question: If I keep this up and get all A's and B's in Nursing school, and if my overall GPA doesn't come up a lot, will hurt me trying to go to CRNA school if my overall GPA is low?

If so, what can I do to improve? Good GRE scores (I did really well on the SAT, ACT and the MCAT - which I took before changing my mind about med school)? Good ICU experience after graduation?

Any info that could be offered would be appreciated.

Bryan

Bryan,

I remember others on this board talk about having lower GPAs from another degree, apply themselves really hard in the BSN program to get good grades and get into anesthesia school. Part of the GPA admission committees look at is also the nursing gpa, the sciences gpa, and it sounds like you're doing really well in the science area. The big determinate for you is gonna be the interview. But, let's face it, how many of us know and are ready and responsible right at 18 years old when we start college to not do some goofing off? I know there are some dedicated, motivated, committed students that young, but many people don't reach a level of maturity to focus on a long term career until a little bit older.

My advice would be to research some schools you may be interested in, talk to them, explain your situation, and see what type of response you get. You should be able to find a good fit between you and a school that will not weigh your past so heavily, but look at what you're doing now and how far you've come to work for the goal of CRNA.

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