CRNA Admissions GPA/ Years in ICU

[Sara Marie Lawless]

Hi guys!

I know people ask these questions a lot but I'm a third semester ADN student (will be continuing straight into my BSN) I have a 3.67 overall GPA and 3.98 for the school I am at right now (where I took almost all of courses for nursing school) I plan to do a math minor as well and have taken the general Chemistry series (got A's in both). I utterly bombed my freshman year for personal reasons at a state school and have worked really hard to bring my GPA up since then but get stressed that will hold me back if I get even an A- now.

So I had a few questions 1) I'm doing the math minor more because I like math then for grad school, but are their any benefits to minors in difficult subjects? 2) Assuming my GPA stays about the same how many years should I be looking at in the ICU would I have a reasonable chance at getting in with 2 years? I'm hoping to go to a midwest school such as Newman University, Bryan College of health science, UM twin cities, Mayo clinic, St Mary's. Anybody go to those school and have any insight?

[Defibn', RN, EMT-P]

Your GPA is competitive. A math major can only help you. It may not mean as much as something like Chemistry but most people won't have a minor anyways. I think that two years in a good ICU will suffice to get in. But if this is your first healthcare job you may find that 2.5-3 years may get you more prepared. It certainly is not required to have 3 years. Most people/programs say that 2 years minimum is competitive. You are on the right track! Keep putting one academic/career foot in front of the other and you'll get there.

[JacobIloved, BSN]

I minored in LPS (Logic and Philosophy of Science) while doing my undergrad nursing degree.

I don't think that CRNA schools really care if you have a minor or not. However, minoring in a subject that was heavy on rhetorical logic (and formal logic), writing, and public speaking really helps with school applications. At the end of the day, interviewers and admission committees are looking for people who can tell a reasonable story about who they are, what they've done, and where they are going. This forum is littered with people who have excellent ICU experience, great GPA's, good scores, etc. that didn't get into school. Objective stuff like GPA, certs, level 1 surgicalcardiotraumatransplantthoracic chargenursepreceptorresource experience is only a part of the game. Remember that the other part of the game of admissions is convincing the faculty that you are going to be a successful student.

[Jeff G]

The math minor could be considered a good part of a "career insurance plan" in case you have to change career directions due to an injury/disability. This is something I bring up to students I advise.