[snag]

I haven't even been to BSN school yet, but I will be going next year...preferably to an accelerated program. Down the road, if I survive, I will be attempting the impossible...getting into a CRNA program.

The 2 questions I have:

1. Does the "name" and/or reputation of your nursing school weigh heavily among admissions personnel when you are trying to get into a CRNA program? Does it matter if you're a 3.02 from a Johns Hopkins accelerated program or a 3.8 from some lesser rated 2-year BSN-2nd degree completion program?

2. Would being an advanced practice nurse (ie MSN) in another field (CNS, ACNP) mean having a leg up on getting into a CRNA program? Would you be any more competitive than a BSN/RN/ICU Nurse?

I realize I'm way out in front of the cart I am putting before the horse, but it never hurts to ask the experts.

If school reps really don't play a tangible factor, I may just go the most economic and shortest route to the BSN.

Thanks for your time!!!!

[MICU RN]

I don't think it hurts to have a well known school on your resume, however, high grades and a good GRE score and good critical care experience will probable mean more. You must remeber that all professional schools have to adhere to min. standards, therefore, the gap between the lowest ranked BSN program and highest will not be as much compared to other degree programs where there are no min. stanards and boards after receiving the degree. And example would be a undergrad. history degree from a small state school, as opposed to an undergrad history degree from say YALE. OF course the YALE degree will carry more weight.

[smiling_ru]

I beleive that most schools use a point system when selecting candidates. You get so many points for each item (gre, gpa, icu experience, certifications, interview and so on). I don't think that the undergraduate school attended is evaluated at all.
It might make a difference in securing an interview, but I am not sure of that either.

[charles-thor]

Hi! I can only imagine that the competition for the limited number of slots in nurse anesthesia programs will only become more and more coveted in the years to come, so there is nothing wrong with maximizing your potential as a future candidate. After all of my interviews, several things became clear about what programs seek in their applicants, and are as follows:

1. Undergrad (especially science) GPA
2. GRE scores
3. Quality of ICU experience, but not necessarily quantity if >2
than years
4. How well you can sell yourself in the interview

Obviously I didn't interview at every program, but these criteria were constant among the schools that I did. And to answer your question, I don't believe that where you did your undergrad really matters. I did my first two years a community college, and nobody really cared. Best of luck to everyone in attaining their dreams!

[snag]

Thank you all very much for giving me such honest answers. Hopefully one day I will be able to join your profession...I am fascinated with the subject and read anything I can get my hands on about anesthesia. Good luck to you all.

Snag