Can I get into CRNA school?

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hi everyone!

I am a RN looking to go to anesthesia school in the next two years. I am a NY native and work as a travel ICU nurse but am looking to setting in rochester for a while so I can save money. I will be finishing my BSN in February then I am going to start the process of getting evrything together to apply to CRNA school. My question is what did it take for all of you to get into CRNA school? I know I do not have the greatest of GPA's my ADN program is just above a 3.0 and I believe my BSN gpa will be a little bit better than that. Do they really focus on GPA or is does your experience and such have an effect too? I will have 5 years ICU experience by the time I apply including Trauma, Surgical and Neuro ICU experience. I will be getting my CCRN and maybe the certification for Neuro Critical care nurses, I was thinking of getting PALS, I will take my GRE and take some chemistry course because I know alot of programs want some chemistry course. I am just worried they will look at my GPA and reject me. So if you could all please tell me what really goes into getting into CRNA school I would really appreciate it! The schools I am looking at are Albany, BUffalo but I really have my heart set on VCU.

Specializes in critcal care, CRNA.

It depends on the school. The GPA might not get you into school but I would say that it very much helps you get the interview. Some people have taken some Grad level classes so that they can show that they have gotten better as students. I have heard of them starting in a NP program and then applying to anesthesia school.

Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.

Some schools will accept you with a GPA lower than 3.0, but they'll admit you already on academic probation. You'll have to work very hard to get through CRNA school though already starting out with this disadvantage.

You can overcome academic short falls with good ICU exp and your CCRN though.

Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

A couple of friends of mine were in your situation and they started NP programs when they couldn't get into CRNA programs initially. They also got strong ICU experience. One is finishing his FNP and will start his post-masters CRNA in the summer and the other started her CRNA program this past fall.

If you really want it, don't give up on achieving your goal. Good luck!!

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