Chances for CRNA School

Nursing Students SRNA

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I am just wondering what you think my chances for CRNA school are, below are my stats. I am just wondering if CRNA programs will reject me for the low undergrad GPA that is below a 3.0. I have sorted through all the CRNA programs in the US and found 17 that will consider the last 60 credits for the GPA. Going to take the GRE in the next couple of weeks.

undergrad GPA- 2.8

post bac GPA- 3.7

ABSN GPA- 4.0

1 year ICU experience

Specializes in Pediatric CTICU.
On 3/10/2020 at 10:20 AM, ptier_MNMurse said:

I was once told that any applicant can have one hole in their resume. Yours currently has two, GPA and experience. Again, not trying to be discouraging, just trying to be real. I felt the same way in your shoes, a few years back, but know that it is still totally possible! Start working on classes, get some more certs, BLS, ACLS, PALS (for sure), then CCRN, TNCC next. Then do CSC, CMC and ENPC. Get a few grad level science classes under your belt to show you can succeed at the grad level (gotta get A's), then you will probably be up over that 3.0 mark (try to be smart about calculating your potential GPA with which classes offer the most credits that you think you can succeed in). Keep grinding to get the best ICU experience you can, do some leadership work on top of that and you will be going in the right direction.

Where did you take graduate level science classes? I am currently at a 3.5 cumulative, but my science GPA is not very good related to classes taken before I decided to pursue nursing. I was planning on re-enrolling in one of the classes I did very poorly in (Biology) just to see if it can erase the previous attempt - but I am not sure if that is what will make me stand out. I reached out to schools I applied and I didn't get too much feedback so I am kind of at a loss on where to go.

Specializes in Cardiac icu.
On 3/10/2020 at 11:12 AM, cosmo said:

I'll make it happen, references will put up with it.

So 17 out of 40 will look at the past 60 credits, an example from Interamerican University GPA, "A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required in the last 60 credit hours of academic work."

Then I'll just wing it with the others and some I have talked to on the phone stated they will look at overall trends in the academic performance.

"References will put up with it"

Keep in mind they dont have to write good references for you, and if you pester them they very well may not.

Keep your dream alive and go for it, just realize it very well may take you years before you get some bites.

I started applying after year one, I got my first interview offer after 3.5 years. My cumulative is like a 3.32 and nursing BSN 4 year 3.6. I've retaken 8 hours of class, gotten multiple extra certs on top of ccrn, got a high enough GRE.

You can do it if your dedicated, but definitely be careful about overloading you references. They arent required to say nice things about you

4 minutes ago, asd asd said:

"References will put up with it"

Keep in mind they dont have to write good references for you, and if you pester them they very well may not.

Keep your dream alive and go for it, just realize it very well may take you years before you get some bites.

I started applying after year one, I got my first interview offer after 3.5 years. My cumulative is like a 3.32 and nursing BSN 4 year 3.6. I've retaken 8 hours of class, gotten multiple extra certs on top of ccrn, got a high enough GRE.

You can do it if your dedicated, but definitely be careful about overloading you references. They arent required to say nice things about you

only kidding about references will put up with it. I will always be respectful in asking for letters of rec and have successfully attained them in the past.

I called a number of schools and have found a number that will look at just my BSN GPA, so I will strategically plan and avoid those that don't look at past 60 credits.

On 3/11/2020 at 7:55 AM, Asherah said:

Your undergraduate degree may be a liability, but I'm more concerned about your perspective. You've given us objective stats but nothing about what else you've been doing on your unit to demonstrate an interest in leadership, education or research. Since you have the minimum of critical care experience, the type of unit and acuity level will also matter when you're being compared to candidates who are presenting with the same statistical background or better. Not detering you, but being candid since you asked.

So just to give you my perspective as someone who just finished an application cycle to three DNP programs. My first undergraduate degree, 15 years ago, graduated with a 2.5, BSN ten years ago 3.6, and I took two graduate-level nursing courses at the university SON affiliated with my academic teaching hospital (non-matriculated) and killed it. GRE > 315. CCRN-CMC, TCRN, 9 years critical care experience in addition to participating in research with my attending providers/medical director, part of unit leadership, charge, precepting and high-fidelity simulation development. Three interviews lead to three waitlists and now and I'm starting in May. So yeah, I only had to go through one year of interviews but if my undergraduate degree was my liability I had to work past it by demonstrating what else I'd been doing.

I appreciate your insight. I have done research on my unit and have research experience in the past, will work on gaining leadership experiences. How many schools did you apply to? I have contacted many schools that will take the last 60 credits of work as the major factor in admissions. I am going to apply to larger programs and I have no limit geographically on where I can go to school.

2 hours ago, PediatricCTICURN said:

Where did you take graduate level science classes? I am currently at a 3.5 cumulative, but my science GPA is not very good related to classes taken before I decided to pursue nursing. I was planning on re-enrolling in one of the classes I did very poorly in (Biology) just to see if it can erase the previous attempt - but I am not sure if that is what will make me stand out. I reached out to schools I applied and I didn't get too much feedback so I am kind of at a loss on where to go.

I believe some schools will replace your previous grade, while others will average a retaken course, so call around and ask schools this question.

Specializes in SRNA.

I submitted a total of 4 applications (withdrew one application after I accepted my current program), all programs that are local to me here in the MD/DC region. I was already aware that it was going to likely take more than one application cycle to have a decent chance. It will get increasingly competitive year over year.

7 minutes ago, Asherah said:

I submitted a total of 4 applications (withdrew one application after I accepted my current program), all programs that are local to me here in the MD/DC region. I was already aware that it was going to likely take more than one application cycle to have a decent chance. It will get increasingly competitive year over year.

When you were on interviews were you questioned about your GPA from your 1st degree?

Specializes in CVICU.
2 hours ago, PediatricCTICURN said:

Where did you take graduate level science classes? I am currently at a 3.5 cumulative, but my science GPA is not very good related to classes taken before I decided to pursue nursing. I was planning on re-enrolling in one of the classes I did very poorly in (Biology) just to see if it can erase the previous attempt - but I am not sure if that is what will make me stand out. I reached out to schools I applied and I didn't get too much feedback so I am kind of at a loss on where to go.

I was in the same boat! I took two classes through Winona state university (pharm and patho, designed for DNP students) and I also took the Barry University nurse anesthesia prep course! They were good courses and really helpful in anticipating the next step in processes in the ICU’s! I would recommend them! You will have to put in time to study the material, but it’s doable and the professors were all very helpful!

Specializes in MICU.

I'm interested in the 15 or 17 schools you said take the last 60 credits. can you shoot me a few?? I just want to see

1 Votes
Specializes in Cardiac icu.
1 hour ago, snobel444 said:

I'm interested in the 15 or 17 schools you said take the last 60 credits. can you shoot me a few?? I just want to see

Me too please, if you dont mind

1 Votes
Specializes in Cardiac RN. 2 year nurse.

Would you mind sharing the 17 schools that look at the last 60?

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