Is getting in really that difficult?

[leisa22]

Hello,

I am currently working towards my BSN and plan on becoming a CRNA in the future. I am a very determined individual and know that I want to be a CRNA. Over the past few weeks I have been reading the posts on this board and came to the conclusion that getting into CRNA school is rather difficult. Of course, I never thought it would be easy but now Im getting worried that I wont get in. Do I need to take physics or organic chemistry to get in? Ive only checked out a couple schools and I didnt read anything about having to have taken these classes but I notice alot of people saying they have taken them in preparation for CRNA school.

Thanks, LIsa

[K38s]

I am glad that you took time to read through some of the old posts on this subject, there is a wealth of knowledge to be found there. The difficulty in getting into a CRNA program is relative. I think that you will find that most of the people who have taken organic and physics have done so to increase their chances of acceptance into school and to enhance their understanding of the subjects once they have begun their programs. Call the schools you are interested in and ask them what a typical SRNA at their school "looks like." There is a lot that goes into the making of a successful candidate, only meeting the minimum requirements for acceptance into a CRNA program will make it difficult to get the nod. That being said, if you work hard in your BSN, pull decent grades (especially in the sciences) and try to be the best RN you can be once out of school, I think you will do fine. Keep your eye on the summit, but don't trip over the step in front of you!

Good luck!!!

[Athlein]

Great advice K38s!

The sure-fire way to make admission easy is to prepare, prepare, prepare!

I would second the notion that you should contact schools that interest you as soon as possible. There are over 80 schools of anesthesia, and there is no single "standard recipe" for successful application to all of them. The differences among schools and what they look for is often surprising. For example, some programs place heavy emphasis on high GRE and GPA, while others accept lower scores but insist on adult ICU experience and prefer CCRN certification. Take the time to find a program that is a good fit for you.

Students have to do crazy things to get this degree sometimes. I know several students that live hundreds of miles away from their families. I know another that is literally hocking the farm to attend an expensive program thousands of miles away because he was unable to gain acceptance to less expensive, closer schools.

We all know students that present "the total package": BSN from a well-respected university, great GPA, high GRE, several years of high-acuity adult ICU experience, CCRN, leadership roles, shining references, blah, blah, blah. For them, admission is almost a given if they interview well. But believe me, the majority of students embody only some of the ideal traits. It all goes back to finding a school is a good fit for you, and then completing the parts of the package that you lack so that you present yourself as a strong, well-prepared, above-average applicant. And then, yes, admission is easy.