CRNA GPA

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Hey I am in accelerated program at NYU heading into my last semester looking to finish with an 3.7 BSN GPA. However in my first degree I semi took school seriously finishing with a 3.44 GPA with an A plus in Anatomy and Phys 1 B in Anatomy and Phys 2 B- in Micro Bio and a C in Chemistry 1. The thing with CRNA school is that is competitive and to be honest if it didn't exist I would be an Operating room nurse without a question. I don't feel like its worth the gamble of being an ICU nurse (which I don't really want to do) to become a CRNA. I work in the operating room already as nursing assistant and I get told everyday by management, CRNA, perfusionist, nurses etc to do CRNA. It's not my nursing school GPA I am worried about being that I even got A's in both patho and pharm its my undergrad GPA. Personally I can only see myself as a ICU nurse for a year if I was to do CRNA, which probably won't happen because I would need to retake a couple of undergrad science courses. I am in need of advice, is my GPA good as stands? Or am I looking at 2-3 years in the ICU in order to get into CRNA school?

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Specializes in SRNA.

What is it about ICU that would prevent from doing 2 years?

Your overall GPA is competitive, but your science GPA is not.

Will you get in with 1 year? Maybe. I would recommend getting a competitive GRE score. We can't promise you that you would get in at the 1 year ICU mark. Many, many people have to apply more than once and have 2 or more years of experience.

If one extra year of working ICU makes you not want to pursue anesthesia then you might need to reevaluate your priorities and goals. There is nothing wrong with being an OR nurse.

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Specializes in SICU Nurse.

It has to be something you're going to WANT to do because you love things about Anesthesia. Do you like knowing all little intricacies about different meds?? Is Pharmacology something you nerd out on? Do you enjoy hands on managing patient's? Most professions will tell you CRNA is an excellent career field. Great money, flexibility, many different avenues to practice Anesthesia, and alot of the time great hours.....

That being said, it's a long road to make it there. If you have trouble getting into a school, are you willing to grind out being an ICU nurse for 3 years instead of just 1?? Because trust me, it happens to many people. Many think you need this much experience with a sick population anyways because you are going to be responsible for a patient's life.... If you don't have a strong desire to do Anesthesia, it may not be worth it for you. Many end up changing avenues because money alone isn't gonna be a good enough reason.

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@SICUMurse123 @Defibn' I got in A in pharm and really was the only nursing class besides pysch that I really enjoyed studying. I took Chem before I knew what I wanted to do for my original degree and honestly if I retook it again feel like I would do way better. I just cant see myself doing 3 years in the ICU and starting CRNA school at 29 finishing at 32 it was hard for me to work during this accelerated program that I am in and I can't imagine doing that for 3 more years of no work what so ever. All the CRNA's at my job tell me its worth the sacrifice but to be honest my accelerated program was a bit pricy so I really need to see and pay stub to see if its actually worth the sacrifice. There's nothing wrong with being a OR nurse but I can't also see myself staying at the same pay and same job for more than 4 years. When it comes to being extremely successful nothing comes easy and I am aware of that.  I think I just need to here of more nursing of different routes of success whether being an NP or CEO of a hospita/ administrator than just CRNA because I feel like thats the only pitch they give nurses on the highest they can ever be pay wise  

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On 8/29/2020 at 3:29 AM, nell2125 said:

@SICUMurse123 @Defibn' I got in A in pharm and really was the only nursing class besides pysch that I really enjoyed studying. I took Chem before I knew what I wanted to do for my original degree and honestly if I retook it again feel like I would do way better. I just cant see myself doing 3 years in the ICU and starting CRNA school at 29 finishing at 32 it was hard for me to work during this accelerated program that I am in and I can't imagine doing that for 3 more years of no work what so ever. All the CRNA's at my job tell me its worth the sacrifice but to be honest my accelerated program was a bit pricy so I really need to see and pay stub to see if its actually worth the sacrifice. There's nothing wrong with being a OR nurse but I can't also see myself staying at the same pay and same job for more than 4 years. When it comes to being extremely successful nothing comes easy and I am aware of that.  I think I just need to here of more nursing of different routes of success whether being an NP or CEO of a hospita/ administrator than just CRNA because I feel like thats the only pitch they give nurses on the highest they can ever be pay wise  

You're going to be 32 regardless of what you do.  Would you rather be 32 and still be an ICU nurse or would you rather be 32 and be a CRNA.  

A buddy of mine is 35 and he just started CRNA school.

I'm 30 and I'm on my 3rd year applying.  At the moment I have 2 interviews which is the best progress I ever had. 

My GPA is horrible.  It was a 3.38 overall with a 3.4? science GPA.  I spent the pass year taking classes and getting A's in all of them.  Took a grad level pharm class, undergrad biochem, anatomy and stats.  They saw the improvement and I even took initiative to email them.  If they don't take me because of the interview, guess what I'm going to do...apply again.

Age doesn't mean anything, but your career path determines all.

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