Hey everyone! First would like to thank you for opening this post. I am a recent BSN graduate awaiting to take NCLEX. I have accepted a PCU job offer because it was the first job offer I have applied for and received. However, I know I need ICU experience in order to qualify for CRNA school. Been debating on applying for ICU positions once I have my license. I need to make my application look competitive because my nursing gpa is not. When I was in school, I just wanted to pass with the bare minimum. Now I seriously regret that. I plan on taking science courses that are required for programs that I have not taken i.e. physics, biochemistry with the hopes of getting a grade to boost my gpa. My program was strictly nursing, so I don't know how that plays with everything. Anyways... Here are my list of questions. I live in Arizona, not sure if I plan on relocating.. Maybe if I struggle with getting accepted in AZ. Thank you in advance for responding.

1. GPA: Know anyone who was accepted with a low gpa?

2. Science classes: extra science classes added into my already completed gpa from my BSN program? Or does it count as credit?

3. How to network with CRNA's? Shadowing? Where to find them and ask...

4. Anyone apply and get interviewed/accepted in an Arizona school?

5. What to do to look like an outstanding candidate-- leadership, management, volunteering?

6. Do science credit expires?

7. Are online science classes acceptable? I took microbio and some anatomy/physiology classes online

8. Tell me about your CRNA journey!!! Accepted or not.. Tell me your plans. :)

If I have anymore questions I won't be shy on asking. Thank you for your input again!!!

Mods should probably move this to the SRNA forum, but I'll go ahead and start replying.

1. GPA: Know anyone who was accepted with a low gpa?

~~~How low are we talking? Like 2.5 low? or?? You can apply to schools that look at specific portions of your GPA. Some look at cumulative, some science, some last 60 credit hours, some last 40, some BSN only.

2. Science classes: extra science classes added into my already completed gpa from my BSN program? Or does it count as credit?

~~~So I think what would be more important is RE-taking classes you didn't get an A in. More classes might boost your GPA, but probably not enough to matter. There are some good online GPA calculators that you can use to run the numbers. I would suggest trying one of those, but more importantly, retake any class (specifically sciences) that you did not score an A in.

3. How to network with CRNA's? Shadowing? Where to find them and ask...

~~~Networking is huge. Working in an ICU (the breeding grounds for CRNAs), you will bump into a lot of people with a lot of connections. Form relationships and don't be afraid to just call an anesthesia department at a hospital near you and show sincere desire to shadow there.

5. What to do to look like an outstanding candidate-- leadership, management, volunteering?

~~~A lot of programs are moving to DNP and research is huge. Get into some research initiatives in your unit. Medical mission work looks good. Charge nurse role looks good.

More importantly- get certified. CCRN, TNCC, etc, etc,etc.

6. Do science credit expires?

~~~Not sure exactly what you're asking here, but I believe the answer is no they don't "expire". That being said; however, some CRNA programs like to see certain classes (specifically Chem, Statistics, Research,) within the past 5 years. Check each programs requirements.

7. Are online science classes acceptable? I took microbio and some anatomy/physiology classes online

~~~From personal experience, yes. I re-took a Chemistry class online because I did not have an A the first time I took it. Again, this would be a question for the specific schools you apply to.

8. Tell me about your CRNA journey!!! Accepted or not.. Tell me your plans.

~~~Yes, accepted. Plans are to hate my life for 3 years while in school, and then reap the rewards of an amazing career in an amazing profession. CANT WAIT!

1. I finished with a BSN gpa of 3.03... Not sure if my other college credits will tie into this gpa. But like you said it must depend on the program and what they're looking for. Can I get in touch with CRNA admissions and ask? I was thinking about going to the 2 schools out here and talking to their admissions to see what my overall profile looks like. I have 3 different transcripts with credits.

2. I received some C+'s in my nursing courses, can't think I can retake those. I can retake some sciences courses though, like gen chem/gen bio.. Also need to take biochem and ochem.

6. You answered what I was looking for-- I have 5 years until that credit expires. The two schools I am interested in don't say anything about taking classes within 5 years; does this mean there is no expiration on credits? I am not sure if there is a more extensive criteria requirement when you apply rather than what is on their website.

7. Again, the program doesn't specify if they need to be online/in person. I feel like if it was a requirement then I would need to take it in person and they'd say it on their website.

8. I am so excited for you to start your journey. I am new to all nurses but if there is an option to follow your posts I will.

Why are you interested in nurse anesthesia? What attracts you?

Hey there. Guess we can get personal since not much of my info is on here. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis last year, age of 22. Never had any kind of diagnostic testing done. This was in the middle of my nursing program. It wasn't until my second colonoscopy screening that made me think I want to fulfill CRNA. My anesthesiologist was a man honestly pushing 70 years+. He was so sweet and comforting. He knows when we go into these kinds of screenings we usually expect bad news-as this was my second colonoscopy- I already received my bad news. He sparked my interest and inspired me to become a provider like him. I never wanted to diagnose/treat people. That's why I'm not drawn to NP. I love bedside nursing but I want to eventually do more. Going back to school in the future and hopefully becoming a CRNA can lead me to helping patients find out what's wrong with them. It's the first step of discovering their diagnoses and coming up with a plan for their care. I don't know what kind of environment I'D work in as CRNA, but for me if I'm helping patients discover what's wrong with them in any aspect, that kind of care is the start to becoming healthier and maintaining quality of life.

That's great motivation to be a great nurse. Have you ever seen a cardiac arrest and 'code' during your clinical experience? Can you imagine being responsible for 'running a code'? ie directing everyone by telling the team members what to do?

I've seen and helped codes. I was a tech for 4 years. I believe with the time I dedicate and work as an ICU nurse as well as training, learning, and observing I would be comfortable being responsible in running a code. Of course, that's not something I plan on doing perfectly right away. That's why I'm so eager to work at an icu floor. I want to try to shadow crna's. I'm just ready to get the ball rolling

Sounds like you're on the right track. Work in a busy ICU and volunteer to take care of the sickest patients.

First off, I'd recommend focusing on learning how to become a good ICU nurse. Not sure why but it drives me a little crazy when I see nurses who haven't even gotten their toes wet or worse, are still in school, worried about CRNA school. You still have a LOT to learn if you want to be a strong ICU nurse and get the good experience CRNA schools like to see. What you learned in nursing school is literally nothing compared to what you will need to learn to be a strong ICU nurse in a high acuity unit. Go focus on becoming a great nurse, the kind where other nurses in the unit come to you with questions or opinions when they're patient is making them nervous. If you diligently work on becoming a great nurse and trying to improve patient outcomes in your unit, in a few years you'll be the applicant schools are looking for. But don't do things "just because" you want to be a crna.

But back to the CRNA thing. There's a lot of schools who min gpa is 3.0, but that's the min just for applying. It's not gonna get you in unless you have some STELLAR stuff on your application to make them look past it. If you need to retake any science courses, go take them and get As. Get into an ICU, become a strong nurse and get involved in your hospital. CRNA schools love a applicant who's taken on leadership roles, so get involved.

If you care, I applied to one school and got in first go. I was already married with 1 young son and another on the way so moving away for school was not an option. Luckily we live very close to one of the best CRNA programs in the country.

Here's my resume/stats:

I got into nursing as a second career in my late 20s. Already had a degree in business so I did an accelerated BSN then rolled right through my MSN because I planned on doing NP, changed my mind towards the end of my MSN so finished it up since I was almost done.

-GPA throughout MSN: 3.8

-Just about 3 years mixed ICU experience (plus DOU experience) in a high acuity unit. Where I worked it was optional to get "certified" for certain things like CRRT, balloon pumps, EVDs, impella, whatever. I took the offered classes on my own time and did everything my unit had to offer.

-CCRN cert

-Clinical coach for a nearby BSN program

-Shadowed CRNAs for 2 shifts at a nearby hospital

-In my first year of a 3 year DNP and just about to hit my mid 30s. You have plenty of time to become a great nurse and bolster your resume. There's some super young kids in my program who literally have 1 year experience, which is really almost nothing and I kind of disagree with a school taking that, but they also probably had straight As all through their prior education.

Hi Spolar, thanks for your reponse. I can see how it's annoying that you would think I'm already thinking about the future when I barely graduated, but it's advice like yours that will help me shape into a great ICU nurse. I always favored ICU- not employed with a unit yet but working on it. Got a job offer for PCU. Lucky to have a job offer but debating on taking the risk of applying to other positions. Your stats are phenomenal and I wish you the best in your future!! Might need to have a lot of years of ICU experience and leadership to outweigh my gpa but I'm okay with that. Like you said I need to be a good ICU nurse and I think with the years I'll dedicate beyond the minimum 1-2 year experience will compensate for it.