Applying for crna school, with non traditional grades

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 30, 2018

I'm not sure what you.mean by "non-traditional grades" and "non-conventional"? You have a traditional GPA, it's just not even close to competitive for CRNA programs.

RunningNurse18 · May 30, 2018

Non traditional in the sense of having a rough start at college in the beginning before getting my act together. Does that make me a not viable candidate ever? Any suggestions for how to become competitive?

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · May 31, 2018

Retake your hard sciences and ace them. Not a guarantee. Ask the schools you.are interested in what they would.accept.

elkpark · May 31, 2018

When I interviewed for grad school (not a CRNA program, but at a v. competitive school), I got asked to explain an "F" I had gotten in a badminton class (yes, a PE class) 20 years earlier, my first time in college fresh out of high school, long before I ever went into nursing.

Serious nursing graduate programs take grades v. seriously. They are looking for evidence that people can be expected to successfully do graduate level academic work. They require clinical experience, but all the clinical experience and clinical certifications in the world won't make up for a poor academic record.

Not sure what the best way to improve your presentation would be. CRNA isn't my specialty. Maybe some CRNA folks will come along with some good suggestions. Is it possible to maybe get into another MSN program and start establishing a better academic track record, and then apply to CRNA programs? That would take time, but the time spent would be more productively spent than applying to CRNA programs and not getting any interest.

Best wishes for your journey!

RunningNurse18 · May 31, 2018

Thank you. I have reached out to the schools.

RunningNurse18 · May 31, 2018

Thank you for your suggestions. I have reached out to several school and will update the thread once I hear back for those who might be in similar situation.

m1lkofamnesia · May 31, 2018

Oh boy...I think it will be very hard to get into a CRNA school. You could re-take the science courses and ace them as someone already suggested. You could take the GRE as well, but the score better be insanely good to make up for the GPA. Get your CCRN. Apply to several schools, likely schools that accept a bunch of students (50+) will be easier to be accepted into.

guest769224 · May 31, 2018

What is your overall GPA?

Is the 3.4 just for nursing school or is it cumulative for all courses? If you're GPA is less than a 3.2, consider taking some graduate level courses to boost your GPA up. Then you will be more competitive. There are a lot of threads on here of people with low GPA's getting into CRNA school. The trick is- you have to compensate and shine in other ways. It is hard work to get into NA school. If you want it bad enough, you'll find a way.

Perhaps you could also consider NP school? Those programs will admit anyone.

RunningNurse18 · May 31, 2018

Icuman - 3.4 is just nursing school. Thanks for the ideas for NP school but is not my jam. Looking at the other threads to get some ideas. Graduate level courses and reaching out to schools are my first steps. Good to know I'm not the only one and that's it's possible with a little hard work!

Rainbow_RN, BSN, RN · May 31, 2018

Following. I have a similar situation, with a 2.6 in early university years. I could retake one of my sciences--Calculus III is off the table since I got an F in that twice. I hope this is possible because CRNA is my DREAM! I am considering getting an MSN first to boost my resume, and I have one year left in BSN to get my proverbial act together. Good luck to you!