Any advice to become a stronger candidate for CRNA school?

CPhT2RNstudent · Aug 29, 2013

You should be just fine. Start applying!

bestclassever · Aug 30, 2013

Really? Thank you!!!! :) It means so much to me. I guess I should just go for it and see what happens. :)

manusko · Aug 30, 2013

I have a horrible undergrad GPA for my BA (2.0) and took Chemistry three times to get a passing grade (D) and passed Biology with a D on first try. Five years after my undergrad I went for my ADN and graduated with a 3.3 GPA. My sciences are pretty strong from nursing school: A&P 1 A, A&P 2 A, Micro A, Patho B, Bio Nutrition A. I'm in an AGNP program now with the only B so far being in Patho. My GRE was over a 1000.
Work related:
3 years in the Cardiothoracic ICU (trained in CVVHD, VADs, IABP, ECMO)
2 years in Med-Surg ICU (trained in CRRT, Hypothermia)
CCRN
BLS Instructor
ACLS Instructor
Preceptor
Charge Nurse
Shadowed a CRNA for 2 days
Will my work experience and strong MSN GPA be enough to get me into CRNA school? Nurse Anesthesia is the field I really want to work in. Anyone have any advice on what more I could do to become a stronger candidate?

Did you ever retake chem and get a B or higher? Some schools require a decent chem grade.

bestclassever · Aug 31, 2013

Not yet. It's on my radar. I haven't had much luck finding a course that I could take with my current grad classes while working. Everything I've seen has ranged from 3-5 days a week, and I can't do that. I don't know if online chem is even an option.

I do think retaking that and doing well would strengthen my application.

manusko · Aug 31, 2013

Not yet. It's on my radar. I haven't had much luck finding a course that I could take with my current grad classes while working. Everything I've seen has ranged from 3-5 days a week, and I can't do that. I don't know if online chem is even an option.
I do think retaking that and doing well would strengthen my application.

It's usually required at many schools. There are online chem classes. They are pricey.

allnurses Guide · Aug 31, 2013

You need better science grades (chemistry and biology), and you need to spend more time shadowing.

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN · Aug 31, 2013

As others have said you need to get better chemistry grades. Chemistry is a huge portion and if you don't have a good understanding of undergrad chemistry, when they breeze through a years worth of stuff in one semester you will be left behind. You're going to have to look at the requirements for some schools. You do need a specific GPA for a majority, i think my school was 2.75. So you either need to figure out a way to boost your GPA. The easiest way to do that would be to take some grad school classes. Trying to bump your undergrad GPA is going to take a really really long time because when you have a lot of credits an A does not move your GPA much. Good luck.

bestclassever · Sep 1, 2013

I'm in grad school, working on my MSN (NP). My current GPA in grad school is 3.93. Wouldn't they look at that GPA over an undergrad GPA from 13 years ago? I can understand the need to retake Chemistry, and I will once I find a class (prob. Online) that will fit in with my schedule.

I do plan on shadowing more. I was planning on waiting until next year, as I'm applying so it's fresh, and shadowing two more days. That would make four days total.

allnurses Guide · Sep 1, 2013

I'm in grad school, working on my MSN (NP). My current GPA in grad school is 3.93. Wouldn't they look at that GPA over an undergrad GPA from 13 years ago? I can understand the need to retake Chemistry, and I will once I find a class (prob. Online) that will fit in with my schedule.
I do plan on shadowing more. I was planning on waiting until next year, as I'm applying so it's fresh, and shadowing two more days. That would make four days total.

I think your undergraduate GPA from 13 years ago will be taken in consideration with your new graduate GPA. The University of New England offers an online medical biochemistry course that would be acceptable for some NA schools.

Okay this maybe just my pet peeve, but you plan on spending decades working as a CRNA but think only spending 4 days is enough time shadowing a CRNA?. IMHO 1-2 weeks (40-80hrs) is the bare minimum of time you should spend shadowing a CRNA. The USUHS requirement for shadowing is 60hrs, I believe, which is good indicator to see if you are actually going to like being a CRNA. Also, you are probably going to ask the CRNA that you shadowed for a reference letter, and spending 1-2 weeks with him or her will give them a much better idea of your capabilities allowing them to write a more accurate reference letter.

Da_Milk_of_Amnesia, MSN · Sep 1, 2013

Sorry my mistake I did not fully read your post. You're right they would look at the most recent but they may have questions about yor low GPA and chemistry, look at the admission criteria because after 10 years most classes are considered outdated. I think you may have a good chance actually. I think that grad school classes will be beneficial granted you do well in them. A lot of people who don't get in one the first try will go take a masters level class to prove they can do the work and some get in on the second try. Also double check specific requirements, some schools may want chem with a lab, others may not. I highly advise taking physics as well. Other than that if you have good high acuity experience, which it seems you do, and if you have a good interview I think you have a good chance.

bestclassever · Sep 1, 2013

9:50 pm by wtbcrna

"I think your undergraduate GPA from 13 years ago will be taken in consideration with your new graduate GPA. The University of New England offers an online medical biochemistry course that would be acceptable for some NA schools.

Okay this maybe just my pet peeve, but you plan on spending decades working as a CRNA but think only spending 4 days is enough time shadowing a CRNA?. IMHO 1-2 weeks (40-80hrs) is the bare minimum of time you should spend shadowing a CRNA. The USUHS requirement for shadowing is 60hrs, I believe, which is good indicator to see if you are actually going to like being a CRNA. Also, you are probably going to ask the CRNA that you shadowed for a reference letter, and spending 1-2 weeks with him or her will give them a much better idea of your capabilities allowing them to write a more accurate reference letter."

.....

:) Pet peeve, huh? Okay, I understand. I don't know that 4 days is enough or not enough. I looked at the programs that I'm interested in applying to and comments online and saw 3-4 days for shadowing. So I started with two, and on the second day realized that I needed to stop because the more I was there the more I loved it. A dangerous thing when you're trying to get through another graduate program first. (My husband wants me to finish that degree first, and it will help us save so CRNA school isn't such a hardship financially).

Here is what my original plan was: shadow 2 days in my home institution and see if I liked it (I loved it!), the summer before applying shadow in a different healthcare system through a shadowing experience set up by one of the schools that I'm applying to (don't know exactly how long that one is, it's at UNC Charlotte), the summer before applying sign up for the two day Gateway course for ICU nurses interested in nurse anesthesia at Wake Forest, shadow 2 more days at my home institution during the fall that I apply. That way I have time to process information/experiences and ask any remaining questions in my last shadow experience.

Does that plan seem reasonable? It might could be improved, I've been trying to figure out the best plan of action with my schedule and circumstances (work, grad school, family).

I wasn't planning on asking the CRNA that I shadowed with for a reference. We used to work together in the CT ICU before she became a CRNA, so I guess I could if she felt comfortable. I was going to ask the ACNP/DNP and one of the Anestiologist that I work closely with in the ICU I'm in now for a reference (worked with them for over 1.5 yrs). And my nurse manager, since that is required. I'm open to suggestions though. I asked what would make me a stronger candidate and I meant it.

Thank you for your feedback. :)