New RN Grad, need advice

Nursing Students SRNA

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I am graduating in May, 07 (THANK GOODNESS!) with an ADN from a highly respected, tough school. I have managed a 3.1 GPA and hopefully 3.25 GPA by the end of this semester. However, I am typically a 91-94% student, and our grading system is A (94-100) and B (87-93), which I think is unfair, but whatever, deal with it right?! Anyways, I'm very close to accepting my first RN job, and having worked in telemetry and ICU as a CNA for almost two years, would one year of "32 bed intermediate care step down unit" that has CABG's, permanent pacers, ACS, CHF, arrhythmias, long term vent pt's, and is considered Critical Care be a good stepping stone to perhaps a year of ICU (maybe more) while I am getting my BSN? In terms of gaining acceptance to CRNA school? Or should I look elsewhere for a straight ICU fellowship, or maybe plan on more years of strict ICU experience (with Swanz and such)? This is a pretty large hospital, but not level 1. Not considered "teaching" at this point, but very close. If that makes sense? Basicly, would one year of cardiac step down with 1-2 years of ICU be sufficient? (This is all "heresay" but kinda sorta confident "heresay", if you will.) I cannot even THINK about entry into CRNA program for at least two years, more likely three, when my wife graduates with dental hygiene degree (hence, she will be the sole provider, or the "bank"!) So minimum of 2 years ICU with one year step-down cardiac. That's my plan, and i'm stickin to it! And also, I hope to achieve at least a 3.6-ish GPA in the BSN portion, since I am a strict 91-94% student, and the school I choose will have a traditional GPA system!

Any advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Brad

What school is LHU?

I went to PSU as well, and I didn't remember we had that kind of grading scale, unless is recent. But back to the point, my GPA is ok right now but since I'm in an accel. program, I'm not sure how much I can prevent it from dropping... IMO, I think it's good to take some graduate courses, especially if you can get a job at the teaching hospital. I checked a few teaching hospitals in Philly and the first couple of crna courses are the same for other MSN courses. THey usually let you take those core classes, I think that can show them your ability in the graduate level.

Um, I am almost positive that the statement you have made is totally incorrect. PSU is 94-100 A, 90-93 is an A- (aka 3.5)...and that is all I have to say...cuz I always get above a 90. But my GPA has dropped because my 90-93 is considered a B, which is 3.0. I am telling you, it makes a SIGNIFICANT difference. PSU does NOT use this grading scale. If they do, it is BRAND new. I'm not against the fact that you need above a 94 for an A, but I AM against the fact that a student who gets an 88 gets the same grade as me for getting a 92....NOT RIGHT.

I am looking at my syllabus for my classes this semester and yes, they are that stringent. I do not think that the offical grade point policy for PSU is that stringent but the branch campus that I attend, that is the grade point system for the BSN classes. Brad, I do agree with you that earning a 92% average and receiving the same grade as a person who earned a 88% average is not fair.

Specializes in ICU.

Brad Rn, I feel for you. I think that nursing programs should be universal in their grading systems. I am graduating in May as well and have a 4.0 but that is only because my school goes by 89.5=A 79.5-89.4=B etc. It is just not fair that when you and I both go before a potential CRNA program that I will have higher marks for that portion. Luckily there are many other ways that a candidate can make him or herself appealing. I have also heard that along with a great GRE score, experience, and CCRN, if you show leadership and act as a preceptor for other new grads it is looked highly upon.

I am also in the midst of making a career decision, I am looking at two in particular but eliminated a third option based on how the newbies were treated(I shadowed a couple days at each facility) they were pretty honest about their experiences. I would rather be in a supportive environment than one that was trying to trip me up at every turn. What's with that anyway?

Grades are an important part of being accepted to CRNA school, but I think the grades and gre get you the interview. At the interview you have to really perform and show the board what you know. In my interviews, I was told that I had the least experience of anyone they were interviewing and my grades were not as good as the other candidates. My GRE was 1140 with 5.0 on the writing section and 3.24 overall GPA with 2 degrees with a 3.75 BSN average. I work in a CVICU. At the time I interviewed I had 5 months experience and had worked as an anesthesia tech for 1.5 years.

I know I was very fortunate to be accepted to school on my first try, but I really studied and prepared for almost 2 years for the interviews. I made sure I knew every medication I use in our unit down to the cellular level. I was told after each of my interviews that was the main reason I was accepted. You have to really impress the board and stand out amongst the other candidates to be accepted like I was.

Nursing school is never fair, I do not care where you go. I think the experience after school and how well you do in the interview is alot more important than nursing school.

You need to graduate and get into the largest CVICU unit you can ASAP and learn as much as possible. You will get into school if you REALLY want it!

Good Luck! I know it sucks now in school, but do not let it get in the way of the ultimate goal. CRNA!!!!!

Brad, do you mind to share what school would that be? I'm just curious because I'm from PA as well... i just wonder what school has such as grading system.... I can't believe if one gets a 93 would get a B, that's not cool.

this ONE gets 93's and yes, a straight B (or 3.0)...it's TRUE!! Lock Haven University of PA. That's the culprit! AnD I JUST GRADUATED TONIGHT, thank GOD!!!! WHEW HEW.

Keep the input coming. I'm already applied to a RN-BSN online program from a respected school in PA. Working the whole way through, Med Surg Neuro Tele for a year, then hopefully onto ICU or CVICU. I will end up having at LEAST two years of ccu experience before i even THINK about applying to crna school, plus a solid finanicial plan, and I'll also be a 32ish old family man! I hope that helps! haha

anyways, I"M CELEBRATING!!! No school for the whole SUMMER! (just boards, eek!)

Grades are an important part of being accepted to CRNA school, but I think the grades and gre get you the interview. At the interview you have to really perform and show the board what you know. In my interviews, I was told that I had the least experience of anyone they were interviewing and my grades were not as good as the other candidates. My GRE was 1140 with 5.0 on the writing section and 3.24 overall GPA with 2 degrees with a 3.75 BSN average. I work in a CVICU. At the time I interviewed I had 5 months experience and had worked as an anesthesia tech for 1.5 years.

I know I was very fortunate to be accepted to school on my first try, but I really studied and prepared for almost 2 years for the interviews. I made sure I knew every medication I use in our unit down to the cellular level. I was told after each of my interviews that was the main reason I was accepted. You have to really impress the board and stand out amongst the other candidates to be accepted like I was.

Nursing school is never fair, I do not care where you go. I think the experience after school and how well you do in the interview is alot more important than nursing school.

You need to graduate and get into the largest CVICU unit you can ASAP and learn as much as possible. You will get into school if you REALLY want it!

Good Luck! I know it sucks now in school, but do not let it get in the way of the ultimate goal. CRNA!!!!!

VERY encouraging! THank you! I am just like you, very motivated and determined. I need to quit bitching! haha

Thanks!

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