another eager student c questions

luv your nurse, RN · Jan 8, 2005

wish someone would write back:o

The resources here are endless-you, the people that made it, or are further along then I,

I hope someone answers soon....

kmchugh · Jan 8, 2005

But, with all that considered, I am only half way through my BSN, so I have so much ahead of me, and I am currently working in the ICU as a tech, I tutor anatomy, and previous nursing semesters, I was told I can get a letter from the CRNA I followed, I'm trying to gather all the things I can to prepare for my application process to the different schools. Here's the catch, I have not been getting strait A'S like the other people I have read about here, as a matter of fact, I've received 2 a's and 5 B's out of my seven nursing courses so far... , but I am only half way through and there is time to raise that GPA, (3.56 total), and I did receive A's in all my bio classes.

Based on this alone, you would seem to be a good candidate. Not everyone here had "straight A's," and in fact a 4.0 student is not always looked at favorably by many graduate programs. You are doing well in your science classes, and by your account are doing pretty well in your nursing classes as well. Most schools require a 3.0 to apply, and you are well ahead of that. Keep it up.

I know I should focus on nursing school now, and I am but just wanted to know what you all have to say, I respect and appreciate your input.

You are right here. You are putting the cart before the horse. Right now, concentrate on your BSN. Don't worry about CRNA school yet. If you get too wrapped up in future plans, you could blow those plans by failing to focus on what you are doing now.

PS- what is this total GPA vs. Science or Nursing GPA, I mean my nursing GPA, is that just the courses that begin with N-, or is it the entire GPA from the 6 semester program which would include psychology, and other non nursing courses or is it nursing plus bio anyhow. Just obsessing over here.

Ok, obsessing is a good sign. Nurses as a profession are pretty anal retentive, and CRNA's are the most anal retentive. Generally, what the application committee will look at is 1-your GPA; 2-Courses that contributed to that GPA. In other words, if you have a 3.90, but your best grades were in interpretive dance and basketweaving, that may hurt you. However, if you got good grades in the science courses (as it sounds like you have), then that weighs in your favor.

You are doing fine. Keep working, and working hard. Focus for now on finishing your BSN. Don't let dreaming become a stumbling block on the way to fulfilling your dreams.

Kevin McHugh, CRNA

UTRN2005 · Jan 8, 2005

Not everyone here had "straight A's," and in fact a 4.0 student is not always looked at favorably by many graduate programs.

?

Just curious, why would having a 4.0 be looked down upon?

louloubell1 · Jan 9, 2005

?
Just curious, why would having a 4.0 be looked down upon?

My question too...

Mike1991 · Jan 9, 2005

I disagree in not letting your dreams of becoming a CRNA interfere with your BSN. I was a janitor in a hospital with no college when I decided I wanted to become a CRNA. I enrolled in college and excel in all of my courses and one year after graduation from a BSN program. I applied to 4 CRNA programs and I received admission offers from three. During the hard times in school, I always stepped back and remember why I was there and what the ultimate goal was. The goal of being accepted into a CRNA program. Go for it and keep your dream alive, only you and you alone can might your dream come true.

kmchugh · Jan 9, 2005

?
Just curious, why would having a 4.0 be looked down upon?

CAVEAT: I'm not saying this is right or wrong, merely reporting what I have been told by people who make these kinds of decisions.

Admissions committees (not just at CRNA programs, but at med schools and most other graduate level programs) look at a graduate with a 4.0 with a somewhat jaundiced eye. The concern is not so much that the student cannot handle the bookwork. After all, they already have a proven track record. The concern is with the student's overall ability to process and apply the information. I have been told by more than one person sitting on committees to interview graduate program applicants that they have experience with 4.0 students who had a great deal of difficulty applying what they were learning. They are also concerned that a 4.0 student may not be as well rounded as a student with a 3.7. The 4.0 student generally has had little experience outside of school, having spent all their time studying, while the 3.7 can generally demonstrate that they have done well in school while continuing to live a life outside of school.

I disagree in not letting your dreams of becoming a CRNA interfere with your BSN. I was a janitor in a hospital with no college when I decided I wanted to become a CRNA. I enrolled in college and excel in all of my courses and one year after graduation from a BSN program. I applied to 4 CRNA programs and I received admission offers from three. During the hard times in school, I always stepped back and remember why I was there and what the ultimate goal was. The goal of being accepted into a CRNA program. Go for it and keep your dream alive, only you and you alone can might your dream come true.

Actually, Mike, I agree with you. My point was that the dream of becoming a CRNA can either be a motivator or a stumbling block. I have seen more than one student in a BSN program who was so focused on becoming a CRNA that it became a hinderance to how well they did in their undergraduate program. In some cases, they became quite upset at having to take one course or another, since "I won't learn anything from it that will help me be a CRNA." As a result, they didn't do well in the course. In other cases, I have literally BSN students get so upset over one or two "B" grades that it demoralized them to the point that they gave up. "C" may equal RN, but it never equals CRNA.

So, Mike is correct. Don't lose site of your dream to become a CRNA. If that dream helps you along the path in undergraduate studies, great. On the other hand, don't let that dream become so all encompassing that you lose track of what you are doing now. Remember your dream, and let that motivate you to do the best possible job at what you are doing now (which is essentially exactly what Mike said.)

Kevin McHugh

louloubell1 · Jan 9, 2005

CAVEAT: I'm not saying this is right or wrong, merely reporting what I have been told by people who make these kinds of decisions.
Admissions committees (not just at CRNA programs, but at med schools and most other graduate level programs) look at a graduate with a 4.0 with a somewhat jaundiced eye. The concern is not so much that the student cannot handle the bookwork. After all, they already have a proven track record. The concern is with the student's overall ability to process and apply the information. I have been told by more than one person sitting on committees to interview graduate program applicants that they have experience with 4.0 students who had a great deal of difficulty applying what they were learning. They are also concerned that a 4.0 student may not be as well rounded as a student with a 3.7. The 4.0 student generally has had little experience outside of school, having spent all their time studying, while the 3.7 can generally demonstrate that they have done well in school while continuing to live a life outside of school.
Kevin McHugh

Wow. It's interesting that they would think that way. I mean, I was a bit shy of a 4.0; had a 3.91 cummulative undergrad GPA instead. I was not "booksmart" and lacking in clinical abilities. I also had a family (three children) to care for, and worked two jobs while a full time undergrad student (one as a patient care tech on the ICU, and one as a tutor for A&P, chemistry, and pharmacology), so I did indeed have a life outside of class. It's a shame that someone could work very hard, graduate suma cum laude, and then have that actually cast a negative light upon them.

Kiwi, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2005

Mike, I agree with you. I've kept the dream alive, and it sure was nice to have the dean of an anesthesia school tell me that I have all my "ducks in a row" for admission.

...But that's not to say that I'm not constantly obsessed with earning my RN, BSN too.

NeuroNP · Jan 10, 2005

I have a BA in History. I was planning on going to Med School, so I went back to pursue a BS in Biology, but have changed my mind to Nursing. With the goal of becoming a CRNA someday, what do I need to do?

My BA GPA (History) was around 2.5. That was in 1999. Since going back to school, I've taken advanced bio (including Genetics, Cell Bio) chem, O-chem, physics, graduate level human phys (remember I was trying to impress a Med school0 and calculus. With the exception of a C in calc, I've gotten nothing but A's and B's. However, because that all gets tossed in with my original GPA of 2.5, I STILL don't quite have a 3.0.

So, here's my question: If I keep this up and get all A's and B's in Nursing school, and if my overall GPA doesn't come up a lot, will hurt me trying to go to CRNA school if my overall GPA is low?

If so, what can I do to improve? Good GRE scores (I did really well on the SAT, ACT and the MCAT - which I took before changing my mind about med school)? Good ICU experience after graduation?

Any info that could be offered would be appreciated.

Bryan

UTRN2005 · Jan 11, 2005

CAVEAT: I'm not saying this is right or wrong, merely reporting what I have been told by people who make these kinds of decisions.
Admissions committees (not just at CRNA programs, but at med schools and most other graduate level programs) look at a graduate with a 4.0 with a somewhat jaundiced eye. The concern is not so much that the student cannot handle the bookwork. After all, they already have a proven track record. The concern is with the student's overall ability to process and apply the information. I have been told by more than one person sitting on committees to interview graduate program applicants that they have experience with 4.0 students who had a great deal of difficulty applying what they were learning.

I know you're just relaying what you've heard but I'm still confused by the statement that students with high GPAs, including 4.0s, have difficulty applying and do not do as well in clinicals. But the very statement of saying that one has a 4.0 GPA means that the individual must have made an A in clinical thereby negating the statement that the student cannot apply book material into practice. Sorry if this sounds like I'm attacking anyone but I'm honestly just tired of hearing that students with high GPAs have difficulty in clinical settings.

By the way I do have a 4.0 and have had nothing but positive reviews from clinical instructors.

stsdoc · Jan 11, 2005

I know you're just relaying what you've heard but I'm still confused by the statement that students with high GPAs, including 4.0s, have difficulty applying and do not do as well in clinicals. But the very statement of saying that one has a 4.0 GPA means that the individual must have made an A in clinical thereby negating the statement that the student cannot apply book material into practice. Sorry if this sounds like I'm attacking anyone but I'm honestly just tired of hearing that students with high GPAs have difficulty in clinical settings.
By the way I do have a 4.0 and have had nothing but positive reviews from clinical instructors.

I disagree with the idea that those with high grades in coursework will do poorly in clinical work. From my very limited experience, this is just a way for those who have bad grades in the preclinical years to stay motivated to complete the program. Often, those that make bad grades also do poorly in clinicals because they didn't learn the material. Those with high grades that do poorly in clinicals usually do so because of inherent personality flaws (don't work well with others, poor bedside manner, etc.)

The one consistent instance in which those with lower grades have an advantage in the clinical years is if they worked in some clinical role before school and have valuable experience that others may not.

Also, I would have to say that a 4.0 is definitely NOT looked down upon, but it cannot be solely relied upon to ensure admission. GPA is not the only thing that adcoms look at. I know of several people with high GPA's who were denied admission based on bad interviews, etc.