How to get accepted into CRNA prog.

Atmorrison1995 · Nov 1, 2013

My concerns and how to get accepted are for the crna program at Georgia Regents.

VTach2013 · Nov 1, 2013

You need to get all A's from here on... D's and C's definitedly hurt your chances of getting into any program since they are all very competitive. You will more than likely need more than once year of ICU experience. I know CRNAs thats have no ICU expirience but instead had ER experience when they applied to their program. I would visit the school that you mentioned and get some info directly from them. Im also sure you can get their info online. But if you talk directly to them they can tell you experience needed, GRE scores etc. Remember that what they will tell you is just the minimum requirements to be admitted but it doesnt guarantee a spot because these programs are very competitve. Also try to shadow a CRNA for a a day or two to see if thats what you really want to do.

Atmorrison1995 · Nov 2, 2013

I've been doing much better in my other classes. I think that I didn't do all that well because it was such a large transition for me because I graduated from high school early this past December and then went straight into college in January. So if I make really good grades from here on out you think I will be okay? Is there a gpa that you would recommended I have to be considered very competitive? Or gre scores? I've been looking into the crna shadowing, I hope to do it as soon as possible.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2013

Welcome to AN! The largest online nursing community!

moved to pre-CRNA for best response

Screen name · Nov 2, 2013

You need to like nursing first. Have you shadowed an ICU nurse (not a CRNA)? There is no guaranty you will get into CRNA school... ever. You need to know that its possible you will be an ICU nurse for 2, 3, 4 years or longer until you can get in.

I mean, if you want a surefire way to get into school, then to answer your questions: GPA needs to be 4.0, GRE over 150/150/4.0

I looked at Georgia Regents requirements... they state to be competitive a cumulative undergrad GPA of 3.5, GRE of 301 total, and at least 2 years in an adult ICU.

Focus on your grades. You do need as many A's as possible from here on out. Nursing GPA should be as high as possible and also your science classes are closely scrutinized. You will need to get your foot in this door of an ICU - this is an area that is getting harder and harder for new grads to start out in. You might even have to move to another state for an ICU internship - but I'm not sure what the job market is like in Georgia.

Good luck! You are smart to start now, but it's no easy road!

VTach2013 · Nov 2, 2013

And dont just think about getting into Georgia Regents. You may have to relocate to anywhere in the country to go to school.

Scooby-Dooby-Doo · Nov 17, 2013

Hi there! I agree with the above posters in what they have to say. I am currently a BSN student graduating next month with hopes and ambition to get into CRNA school like you, and yes, grades do matter! I also have to agree about getting an ICU position after nursing school. These are getting tough to get in, and I'm thinking about going out of state as well.

Yuppers21 · Nov 17, 2013

You are young, so you have plenty of time to do this right. A's and B's will not cut it from this point. You need A's, especially in your science classes. The D in anatomy is going to raise a lot of eyebrows with program adcoms. This next time, make sure you get an A. Also change your thinking from bare minimum requirement of ICU experience to "however long it takes to be a competent ICU nurse with critical thinking skils". Expect to put in 2+ years. Every school has its own level of competition for spots, but shoot for a 3.5+ gpa. Certainly there are those that have been accepted with lower gpa's but they had to make up for it in other ways: years of ICU experience, stellar GRE scores, excellent grades in master level science courses.

Also, just keep in mind that they day will come when you will have to explain your mediocre grades you have received so far. Make sure you own those mistakes and not make excuses for them. So important for the adcom to see in you as well as a life lesson for yourself.

Chin up! Putting in the extra effort now will pay dividends later on when you are ready to apply!

CCRNCMC11 · Nov 18, 2013

I'm not in CRNA school yet but I'm applying so here's my advice. You don't have to be perfect. He's you need a competitive GPA but it doesn't have to be a 4.0. If GPA is a weak area once you graduate, make up for it with experience, gre, graduate science classes, etc. once you get your bsn try to work in a university level icu, preferably cardiovascular icu. You need experience with swans and hemodynamic monitoring as well as mastering your vasoactive drips. As soon as you pass boards start studying for the CCRN and you need about a year of experience before you can take this. So, do your best now in school but know that you can make up for a GPA that's not a 4.0 but still make sure it's above the minimum requirement for that school. Also know that 1 year of icu experience is a negative in your app. The more years of quality experience the better.

BxRN0808 · Nov 27, 2013

I'm a SRNA at GRU and I will tell you that grades do matter and 1 year of ICU is just fine. The more experience the better. I know you are doing your best with the classes. Getting an interview is the hardest part.

Atmorrison1995 · Jan 9, 2014

Thank you everybody for all of the help. I understand that it might take longer than 1 year of ICU I just want to try really hard to get in with 1 year only because I'll be using my dad's gi bill to pay for the program, and that expires when I turn 26 years old. I pulled my statistics grade up towards the end of my last semester so I received a B. This spring ( starting January 13th ) is the beginning of my first semester of my sophomore year and I currently have a 3.27 gpa. Am I in good shape? I'm retaking anatomy this semester, so if I receive an A do you think I'll be in better shape?