Are there any average pre CRNA students?

CourtneyM16 · Nov 15, 2011

To make a long story short- I had a 3.4 overall gpa, 3.55 or so nursing gpa, no gre, was ccrn/acls/pals certified at application time, 3.3-3.5 science gpa, and had a year and a half experience. I was a very average applicant grade wise, but stood out with my ccrn, leadership, rec letters, and essay. You don't have to be the perfect 4.0 student, and they are not looking for that student. They are looking for the student that has shown effort, desire, and improvement. You need to get ccrn certified ASAP. It's not that difficult and many jobs will actually pay for it. Take a week to study, and take it before you apply. Sorry for the fragmented sentences (on my iPhone) Good luck.

Rm

Snowbird17 · Nov 15, 2011

Level 1 Trauma is not all that people make it out to be. I have worked it, and really feel like you learn more overall in a MICU. So don't let that stop you. Just learn your area and go from there. Three nurses from my old STICU are in anesthesia progrmas, and 2 from my current MICU.

JayVArn · Nov 15, 2011

Honestly put a focus on getting good quality ICU experience (notice I didn't say Level 1 etc) to become student possible (this may take more than 1 year in the ICU). You want to be a solid ICU nurse before you start to apply for school. You could run yourself ragged worrying about your stats and comparing yourself to everyone else. Instead try and make yourself a better ICU nurse and worker, don't skimp on the ICU experience, or certifications, it sounds like you are on the right track.

MoLee228 · Nov 15, 2011

I feel very discouraged from reading about overqualified applicants.

If you read more posts and do your research, you will see that not all applicants have the perfect 4.0, and many do not have level 1 trauma experience. If you are weak in one area, you must be strong in another to be a desirable applicant. For example, I did have a 4.0 and a good (not excellent) GRE score, but I had the bare minimum 1 year ICU experience (it was CVICU at a very prominent hospital). I do not think I would have gotten in with such little experience if my grades were mediocre. And it works the other way around, too...Most of my classmates were NOT 4.0 students, but most of them do have several years of solid ICU experience, CCRN, and good GRE scores. You can be "average" in one or more areas if you stand out and make up for it in some other aspect.

As a side note, I'm a little bothered by your statement about "overqualified applicants." Is there such a thing? There's a reason (actually several) it's hard to get in...a lot of people want to do it, and the program is hard. Schools want students to graduate and pass boards, so they will accept those who they believe are most likely to do so. If there are 30 students who apply with 4.0, 1300 GRE's and 5 years of experience, then the bar is raised and the 3.5, 2 year experience students will not get in.

Don't be discouraged, but don't try to skate by. Do everything you can (like get CCRN) to make yourself a desirable candidate, and find a program that is right for you. Different programs value different qualities in applicants. You will continue to get what you want if you are willing to work hard for it! Good luck!

vetkinv1 · Nov 15, 2011

Thanks a lot for the words of encouragement everyone! It is just sometimes I feel like I do not have a chance to get in:/ I will keep going forward, I have to try!

CABGx4, ASN, BSN, MSN, CRNA · Nov 16, 2011

Experience type doesn't matter so much--obviously it must be ICU. I only know one person who had 10 yrs PACU exp and like 6 months CVICU and got in. I know people with low gpa's, low gre's, average everything and got in. Whatever your experience is, excel at it. Any type of leadership experience is good. Participate in research, publish an article (it's easier than you might think), CCRN--all good things. Know what CRNA's do i.e. shadow. Be motivated, knowledgable and professional. I'm not in yet but interviewing in January. I feel confident in my resume. Just hope the admission board thinks so too!!

vetkinv1 · Nov 16, 2011

How do you publish an article? Thanks

CABGx4, ASN, BSN, MSN, CRNA · Nov 16, 2011

have a good topic in mind. something icu related but doesn't have to be. my topic was an evidenced based project to decrease foley catheter usage time/staff education. To my surprise, the editors loved it. It has taken about 7 months, but it is slated for a January publish. That is resume gold (not why I did it but it sure looks good to be published). Also, after you research and write your morificecript, you'll basically become an expert on that topic and a leader on your unit once you've disseminated the information. Make it a teaching session with pre and post tests. It's better to have measurable results.

Go to: http://journals.lww.com/nursing/Pages/informationforauthors.aspx. Read their guidelines. Submit a "topic query" and they'll let you know if it's what they're looking for. The editor told me they need articles badly. They were very helpful in the drafting process. A couple of back and forths of fixing and clarifying things and boom-done! I am still surprised how easy of a process it has been. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd get published. Get cracking & you'll be published by July/August--perfect timing for next years applications!

vetkinv1 · Nov 16, 2011

Wow, thanks a lot for great info CABGx4!!!

MCleeezy · Nov 17, 2011

I just got accepted into a schoool, my under grad grades were barely a 3.2 but I took 21 credits in grad school with a 3.7 gpa. Ccrn, all cpr certifications, and 2 yrs icu experience @ a well known hospital. I got a 1020 on my gre, and iduring the interview I could barely think cos I was so sick(cough cough). I didn't think I'd get in due to my low under grad gpa, but they mentioned how they liked the fact that I showed a stronger gpa in my grad classes showing maturity!!!best of luck to you!

vetkinv1 · Nov 17, 2011

MCleeezy, what was your sience gpa? 21 credits???? What kind of classes? Where did you take them? Someone recommended me to take patho and pharm but that is about it. You see, I transferred to BSN program from community college where I took all my science. My science/art gpa 3.92 but when I started nursing school my gpa started from 0 so I graduated with 3.24. Ma grades were mostly A's and B's, well B-'s and one C in maternity ( I am a guy:). I guess if I combine them together I am as good as everyone else. I do not know how it works. I do not want to take so many credits without being officially accepted.