How can I best increase my chances for admission?

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hi, all! A little about me: I graduated nursing school May of 2014, immediately started my job in the cardiothoracic ICU at a well known level 1 trauma center in June 2014. It is a 24 bed unit that takes the sickest patients in the hospital, and really the metroplex. We do everything from CABGs, to valves, to LVADs, balloon pumps, heart/lung transplants, and our ECMO program is growing quickly. I started taking LVADs and balloon pumps about 4 months out from starting there on the unit, and took my first ECMO patient about 5 months out.

My stats: Cumulative GPA 3.80, Nursing GPA: 3.75, GRE 320...A's in major's bio, chem 1&2, A&P 1 and 2, microbiology, statistics. I am taking organic chemistry this spring semester to both apply to several programs that require it, and to boost my resume a little bit.

Now, I know my deficiency is definitely my lack of experience, but I will have 1.5 years of experience for all programs starting in Jan 2016 and more than that for programs that start later. I have ACLS obviously, will be taking PALS in march, and will take my CCRN as soon as I am able to in May/June.

Oh, and I participate in different things on the unit, such as Journal Club, where we present articles that apply to our patient population. And I am going to be precepting new interns a little bit that are just now starting on our unit.

What would you all recommend I do to further increase my chances of being accepted? I appreciate your responses, and for reading this long post!

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Are you seriously asking this question? With your stats and that kind of experience, you'll get interviews to probably every school you apply to. You should be rock solid after 2 years of experience and CCRN.

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I was reading this thinking the same thing as lady_stic (love that username). Short of literally craping your pants during the interview, you will be fine.

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looks good, sound like you're at ucla....very typical of crna applicants.

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Thank you all for your responses! I guess I was just worried about my lack of experience, time-wise, and if that would play a factor in their decision. So you think I will be able to at least get an interview?

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Thank you all for your responses! I guess I was just worried about my lack of experience, time-wise, and if that would play a factor in their decision. So you think I will be able to at least get an interview?

Short answer...yes

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