CRNA Advice

[Nrseisme]

Hi everyone,

It has been quite some time since I posted here and I have a dilemma that I was hoping I could get some advice on. 

I transitioned to the L1 ICU a year ago (four years of total nursing experience) and started seriously working on getting things together for a CRNA school application. I have three degrees: ADN (3.2) AGE-N (3.6) and BSN (3.91) (earned the first two and then went to work full time and finished RN-BSN). I took CCRN and pre-calc algebra (4.0) and then made a mistake. Rather than taking a year of chemistry classes to get to ochem. I took ochem with Doane. It was an 8 week course and I finished with a 78. Doesn't matter how close, a C is a C.

So my question is, should I just move on and do gen chem 1&2 and then try ochem at another school? Or would it be easier to just correct the C with another open learning school and then do some grad school courses?

I have, of course, learned from this misstep. But I want to take the best next steps forward (and hope I am not cooked).

[CRNA School Prep Academy]

Hey there,

First of all—you are definitely not cooked. 😅 I just want to say how much I respect your transparency and thoughtfulness. That alone already puts you ahead of the curve. So let's walk through this together.

You've actually built a really strong foundation. Your GPA has clearly trended upward (which admissions committees love to see), you've taken your CCRN, and you're already in an L1 ICU—huge wins. 🙌 So let's talk about the Ochem situation.

Honestly, 8-week OChem at Doane is no joke. It moves fast, and even strong students can struggle in that kind of compressed format. So don't beat yourself up for the 78. The important part is how you respond—and you're doing exactly that.

Here's how I'd think about your next step:

Option 1:
If the programs you're interested in require organic chemistry and don't accept a C, then yes—it may be worth doing Gen Chem I & II and then trying OChem again somewhere with a more traditional semester format. It's more time, but it shows commitment and gives you a better shot at success the second time around.

Option 2:
If OChem isn't a hard requirement for the programs you're applying to, you could consider taking a couple of graduate-level science courses (like advanced pathophysiology, biochem, or pharmacology). That can help balance out the C by showing you can handle upper-level coursework.

Both routes are valid—it just depends on what your target schools expect. I'd suggest pulling up a list of your top choices and checking their prereqs closely (some schools will accept the C, especially if the rest of your application is strong and you can show you've grown from it).

Bottom line: A single C does not define you. You've clearly put in the work and have a strong story to tell. Take this as a lesson learned (which it sounds like you have), and just keep moving forward. You're doing great. 💪

You've got this!

– Jenny, CRNA
Founder, CRNA School Prep Academy