Am I a Strong Applicant?

Screen name · Sep 11, 2013

What makes you think you are a weak applicant? Looks like you only listed strengths. I'm sure you've read other threads with the same topic so how do you think you compare?

Those that you interview with will be from all different backgrounds. Some that, on paper, look much better than you... And some who look worse.

It gets tricky when those that do not look as good on paper get in and those with excellent numbers and references do not.

How would a coworker describe your personality?

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Sep 11, 2013

ccrn, pals, etc make brownie points. teaching in services was something I was asked about. I had also taken a lot of chemistry recently and that was another brownie point. It all depends on what the cohort you are applying at the same time with looks like. I would think you would get an interview, but it all depends on whom you are up against.

good luck

tswim · Sep 13, 2013

Xristina, your biggest weakness is lack of experience. If you will have 1.5 years of experience when the program starts, that means you will have ~1 year when you apply, and you have only been in ICU for a few months currently. I'd say, overall you're an average applicant- (see Mmmm gas' comment). If you work for one more year before applying, get your CCRN, and do the extras missnurse01 wrote about- then you'd be a strong applicant.

That said, if you manage to get an interview with your current stats, then it just becomes about impressing the panel in the interview.

detroitdano · Sep 13, 2013

Is your unit considered a surgical ICU at times as well? Do you get other patients besides transplant? Many schools only accept medical, surgical, neuro or cardiac ICU experience. Trauma/burn and transplant may not meet their experience requirements; check with the individual schools you're interested in.

Seems the average applicant who gets in has 2-3 years of experience prior to applying. Your neophyte status may weaken your application, but there's not much you can do besides hope. Worst that can happen is they'll say you need more experience, you get it, and try again next year.

And as said, get your CCRN done. It not only benefits you as a nurse, pretty much everyone you will be competing with to get in will already have it. Many programs are doing away with the GRE and expect the CCRN cert now, so it can only do you good to get that while you can.

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN · Sep 14, 2013

If those are you're only strengths then I hate to say it but no. Everyone who is in my class is CCRN, and I would tell anyone who is applying to have it. I had TNCC, CCRN and a bunch of other certs even tho most of them I did not use or really need for my daily job, but it makes you look good. Also I tend to believe that where you experience comes from is just as important as how much. In other words, I'm pretty sure that if I did not work at such a prestigious institution Im pretty certain I would have no been accepted to CRNA school. And you need more experience, 2-3 years is the LEAST you should have, others who are applying will have much more than you so, I would say to apply when you have 3 years under your belt. You should have a better chance.

manusko · Sep 14, 2013

Apply. If you get an interview then great. If you do not then by all means get your CCRN. I did not have mine and I got the interview and I got in. If you have time before the application due date then try to get to make you more on an even playing field with the others. Getting the interview at a lot of schools is the key. After that its on you to interview well.

Jaylynne83 · Sep 17, 2013

Xristina,

I applied this past June to SIUE for their CRNA program. I graduated with my RN in June 2011. Worked as a private duty nurse for 6 months for a woman who had end stage ALS, who was on a ventilator then began working at a Stepdown/Trauma unit. I frequently float to the TN ICU, MS ICU, CVICU, and BURN unit. I finished my BSN July 2012. I got my CCRN certification May 2013 when I had only been working as a nurse for a little over a year. Of course I have my ACLS certificaition as well. I got an invite to interview at SIUE, which is scheduled for this Friday!!! :-)

My GPA is 3.7 overall and 3.9 RN/BSN. I also had outstanding recommendations....and I got an interview. We will see if I get accepted! If you feel confident about being a strong candidate then you are good to go! Impress them in the interview...that is what I plan on doing!!!

Good luck!

xristina · Sep 26, 2013

thanks so much for the feedback everyone!

@jaylynne83 how was your interview??

Jaylynne83 · Jan 28, 2014

xristina,

Hi! Sorry it took me so long to get back to you! My interview went good. I interviewed on the 20th and found out in late October that I got in!!! :-) I go to my student orientation on June 2. Now I am just jumping through all the hoops to get ready for the program...like renewing my ACLS/BLS/PALS etc., my criminal background check, etc. Let me know if you have any questions about the actual interview process!

Jamie

xristina · Jan 28, 2014

Thanks so much! And congrats!! Did you feel that the program already knew they wanted you and just wanted to feel you out in person? Or do you think the interview was integral to your acceptance? Any advice on what to review prior to interviewing? The program I applied to started reviewing applications this month so hopefully I will hear something soon one way or another.