Hopeful CRNA

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

Specializes in ICU,ED, & Cardiac Stepdown.

OK, I'll try not to be too long winded here. My situation is this: I'm a25 year old female. I was originally a Division I Collegiate athlete in my 4yr undergrad program. Needless to say, as a communications major,I was failing BADLY. After a massive injury I had a wake up call and (although I had one more year till graduation) I decided to focus, start over, and change degrees. I received my RN-ADN with a 2.96 GPA. So my accumulative GPA is probably like a 2.65 because of how poor I did Before. My science GPA is about a 3.0. I am currently getting my BSN from ASU and so far have a 3.5 but I don't finish till March 2015. My point is that although I failed badly between ages 17-20,do you think that these program directors will see the improvement along the years? I emphasize my gpa because this is my primary insecurity with applying to my in depth desires of becoming a CRNA. I worked in the Emergency Department for 2 years as an LPN. I worked in a Heart hospital in the stepdown heart failure unit for 6 months as an RN before getting hired recently in the General ICU. I haven't worked in the icu long enough to be eligible for the CCRN. I have 3 mentors, one of which is a director at a CRNA integrated program. He happens to think I'll be fine, but if indeed i decide to apply to other front load programs, I'm not sure how "fine" I'll be.

1. What do you all think my chances are considering my previous academic outcomes in school?

2. Although I graduate in March 2015 with my BSN, is it considered too early if I apply by October 2014?

3. Also, considering I'll probably have to take the GREs, when should I start Prepping if I'm looking to apply by the end of this year?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU.

You can overcome a bad academic past, just focus on getting the best grades possible. You should probably consider getting more ICU experience though. Typically the applicants that hace mediocre grades have 3+ years. You can also take a grad level course but make sure you really dedicate yoursel to it. Another mediocre grade in a grad class would be a huge red flag.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU,ED, & Cardiac Stepdown.

That is very quality advice. I was thinking that by the time I would have started the program, it'd be 2015 or for some even 2016 so I figured that would've given me 1 1/2 years of experience, but it would indeed help if I got more experience. Also Im trying my hardest to maintain A's through this BSN. I'm not a fan of these 8 week online courses but, I've got to do what I've got to do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU,ED, & Cardiac Stepdown.

Does anyone else have any other ideas in regards to my uphill journey?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

I got into school with a 3.17. I did poorly when I was first in college back in 2003 and had a 2.95 GPA at the end of my freshman year. I ended up going changing school for a bunch of reasons and ended up with a pretty decent GPA which was > 3.0. I Got all As and Bs and 1 C during my first semester of Med/surg. If I was you, I'd try to have at least 2 years of ICU good, hardcore, high-acuity ICU experience, get your CCRN and maybe some other certs that you may or may not need.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac nursing.

Earn you CCRN as early as possible. Earn very good letter of recommendations. It depends on which school you are gonna go for. Some schools are very science oriented, so if you could take some extra undergrad chemistry classes. great! that what i did:D good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment