Cant stop thinking about it

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I've been bitten by the CRNA bug and cannot get it off my mind. It's been my dream since I was in my 2nd semester if my 2d RN program and did my day in the OR.

I understand-through research- the requirements needed to apply. I've gone through what it would take for me to accomplish them and have realized it is possible(as my gpa isn't trashed too bad) what I am curious is of y'all's opinion of my odds.

SRNA, current CRNA or anybody currently going through the application process please feel free to chime in, any contribution is helpful

I have almost 190hours of college work under my belt. This includes a year of LPN classes( which I'm unsure if it will be calculated into gpa because it isn't an actual degree) I will be graduating with my first degree from an ADN program in December with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. I will have a 3.15 "degree" gpa for my ADN. I made b's in chem, a/p 1&2, micro, and biology.

I will then get my bachelors online, maintaining a 4.0, an working in Memphis at the med- the highest acuity ICU within 200miles. I will get all certs required during that time as well

My gpa is what worries me. I'm so lost as to how schools calculate the gpa's. Some say they use last 60 hours, some say cumulative, some say the put emphasis on science grades and previous nursing school grades.

In your opinion, how do I fair compared to the "general" applicant?

I'm 24,married to an OR nurse who wants kids. I can only put that off for so long and don't want to wait until I'm 30 because I held out for Anesthesia school, then realize it was all for nothing....

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Guess not :(

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If you don't want to wait until 30 for kids, then nurse anesthesia might not be for you.

There's tons of people on here who had kids going into anesthesia school, or had them during. Crazy mad props to them because I couldn't even fathom the level of stress that brings to the picture.

I'll be 30 when I'm done. My wife wants kids, but she knows how tough it would be if we had them right now, and how often I'll be away from home or buried in books during school. She knows wouldn't be fair to her. We've agreed to wait until I graduate.

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Specializes in CRNA, CCRN- Surgical/Cardiothoracic ICU.

It depends on the school. The only thing you can really do is call around and ask the anesthesia school secretary or whomever is in charge of the application process. Most will look at your overall grades with science courses playing a large factor in whether or not you will even have an interview for the CRNA program. Also, most would like a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above, but I have seen people get in with lower GPA's. There are so many things that factor in.....ICU experience, credentials, GRE scores, how well you did in the interview, personality (not being overly confident), shadowing experience, etc.

Shadow a CRNA for a few shifts. If this is what you love and your ultimate goal, kids can wait. I'm 30 years old and will be done when I'm 32 and still won't have kids (getting married this year....hopefully I won't have kids). Enjoy your time together as husband and wife. You are young!

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I appreciate the input. I'm just really looking for words of encouragement I guess. I do have plans on getting everything that will help such as ccrn and all other certs, shadow CRNA for a couple weeks, etc. I also have plans on taking some grad level course to help prove I can hang in grad school. I'm just worried a 3.1 will overshadow those things. I just want an interview. If I can get that far I feel like ill have a fighting chance but this gpa thing puts me out. I want to wait on kids too....trust me! Thanks again guys

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There is never a "perfect time" to have kids! I had my first kid at 36, 2nd at 39 and will be starting crna school at 42 years old! ( I do feel 28 though:))

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Justan: you do what you set your mind too...I told myself i would get into an icu straight after school, then get ccrn/gre done at end of that year, apply to school and get accepted. it wasn't that bad and i will be starting crna school this October with an 8 month old son. Just got to change your priorities and things will align.

People seem to think getting into crna school is impossible...there approximately 100 something schools out there. dream big and it will all come together :)

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I'm also a little worried about this. I'm applying for bsn nursing school for fall and I have a good chance of getting in because my GPA is a 4.0. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA, although it's far off, I'm wondering how doable is it with a family? Right now my kids are 5, 3, and 2 months. Has anyone gone through the CRNA program or knows someone who did with a family?

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Specializes in CRNA, CCRN- Surgical/Cardiothoracic ICU.

several people in my class have families with 2 to 3 small children. One in my class is pregnant right now. It's do-able as long as you have a strong support system.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I'm also a little worried about this. I'm applying for bsn nursing school for fall and I have a good chance of getting in because my GPA is a 4.0. My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA although it's far off, I'm wondering how doable is it with a family? Right now my kids are 5, 3, and 2 months. Has anyone gone through the CRNA program or knows someone who did with a family?[/quote']

I have several friends who have 3 and 4 children under the age of 5 who have done or are doing the program. it's not easy. I think it makes it a little bit more complicated, but it is definitely doable.

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I'm just praying I can get enough accolades to hide my gpa's low side. RN, bsn ccrn csc cmc. With 2 years ICU if highest acuity around. Surely a 3.1 gpa won't drag that down too far ?. An god bless the people doing it with kids.

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JustanLPN, you can get into any CRNA program that you want, as long as you believe and truly give your 100 percent in everything. Do NOT be discouraged about your ADN GPA. When you go for your BSN, get all As....seriously. That will boost your cumulative GPA and make you more competitive. Do volunteer work, get all of your certs plus more, and shadow shadow SHADOW! :) As far as kids go, I have seen people graduate CRNA school that had 2 or 3 small children. I've seen people drop out of programs that had no kids. CRNA school is a massive strain for a marriage and family. However, it's all about sacrifice. We all know that the benefits outweigh the risks. Believe in yourself and make sure that you have a strong support system. Email those program directors now. Make sure your name is known. Express your concerns with them. Tell them how badly you want to accomplish your dream.

FYI, I did the ADN route and my GPA was barely a 3.2. I maintained a 4.0 in my BSN courses and also got A's on the graduate core classes that I took. My GRE score was average (New: 298, Old: 1040). I passed my CCRN and have 5 years of ICU experience. I applied to 2 CRNA programs and was accepted into both of them. I was 9 months pregnant when I interviewed! Lol. So by the time I start school, my baby will be 9 months old and I also have a 10 year old. Will it be difficult? Absolutely. Luckily, I have a very supportive family who is willing to take the lead with my kids so I can focus on school. My point is, it doesn't matter where you come from, or what your family situation is. You can accomplish anything that you set your mind to. Give your all in everything that you do. Most of all, show the programs early on how serious you are about achieving this goal. I was emailing programs 5 years before I applied to school. I constantly kept in touch with them and was so blessed to be granted with early interviews that ultimately resulted in acceptance to the program of my dreams. Best of luck with your endeavors. The road is long and extremely difficult, but well worth it in the end. :)

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