CRNA program RE-applicants 2021 start

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hey all,

I decided to start thread for people (like me) who applied to CRNA schools this year, didn't get in, and plan on applying again next year for admission in 2021. Rejection is tough and after going through the 5 stages of grief... I'm ready to tackle the dreaded CRNA application process again.

What are you guys doing to increase your chances/ make yourselves stand out? Are you re-writing your letter of intent/personal statements? Using the same letters of recommendations or changing them up? Taking another science course? Getting another certification? Getting more involved in the unit? Shadowing more? Applying to more schools? GRE? Or just getting more experience?

Background on me:
Nurse in NYC. Experience includes 3 years on med-surg and 2 years in the CTICU. I applied to a total of 4 schools this year. Got an interview to only one school, rejections from the rest. I am hoping that another year in the CTICU will increase my chances for actually getting interviews. I am currently taking an organic chemistry course and doing statistics next (its been over 5 years). GPA 3.7. I have my CCRN but plan on getting my cardiac surgery certification (CSC) too. I am probably going to change my recommendation letters and re-write/improve my personal statements. Thinking about possibly taking the GRE (even though most schools don't require). I do plan on applying to more than just 4 schools next year but prefer to stay in the east coast. Top schools include Fairfield, Columbia, and Rutgers.

I'd love to hear from you all, whether it's your second, third, or fourth rodeo in the CRNA application process. This thread is intended to support and advise those seeking acceptance into CRNA school, again.

I'm also struggling with this.

BSN GPA is 3.75, but my undergrad science is 2.93 because my transcript is tainted with a D in org chem (B in the lab!) because I was 19 and decided to not to go to class after relationship drama happened. I've retaken gen chem I, II and Bio I to turn my B's into A's to help counteract the organic chem class. The other reason is because, if I do want to take organic, I won't be going in super cold.

I've been working in SICU for about a year and a half. I have a research fellowship, I'm involved in a lot of committees... I have at least 4-5 people look over my essays for my schools each time. Passed my CCRN in October, but I haven't taken the GRE yet since it wasn't necessary for 2/3 of the Philly schools. I volunteer my OT in CTICU, Neuro and MICU.

Got rejected in 2018, and it sounds like I won't get an interview from Jefferson this year as well, waiting to hear back from Penn. I was trying to move back home, but everyone keeps telling me that my biggest flaw is that I'm stubbornly trying to stay in one city. My only real plan is to take the GRE and to retake organic chem this year, and maybe expand my search.

0 Votes
Specializes in CRNA.

Contact programs and find out how the science GPA is calculated. Some programs include only the prerequisite courses.

If you have 1 1/2 years experience now, you had less than a year when you applied last year. You will be a better applicant, and a better student with more critical care experience. You will have a lot of options when applying with 2 1/2 years experience. Work A LOT to get as much experience as possible, and to save money.

1 Votes
Specializes in icu.

Hi,

I too applied to various CRNA programs and did not get any interviews. I took the GRE (may have to retake), Have all the chemistry(A's), BSN with a 4.0, Graduate Biostatistics (A), CCRN, PALS,ACLS, BLS and been working as a travel nurse to level 1 hospitals. I reached out to all the programs and none of them were able to tell me why I was not invited and what I can do to improve my chances for next cohort. They keep saying, "It is competitive"?

I don't know what more to do and I am impressed and intimidated by everyone's credentials. I am going to apply again but I would love any suggestions that could help me improve.

0 Votes
Specializes in ER/SICU.

I am so glad that I found this thread. I am a non-traditional applicant. I applied to 18 schools last cycle and have some insight to the application process at these universities.

I interviewed at USC (Ca), Pitt, and Kaiser's (phone interview) last year, but was rejected from all three programs. I applied for 2 schools in Florida, 3 in Pennsylvania, 4 schools in Ca, 2 schools in Connecticut, 1 in Rhode island, 1 in Boston, 1 in Washington, and 1 in Oregon. I had 3 months of ICU experience, 4 years of ER, 6 years of EMS experience when I applied last cycle, 3.1 overall 310 on the GRE, CCRN, TNCC, MICN, ENPC, decades of volunteer experience, and several other certs, but no research or publication.

I've spent the last year in the CVICU recovering hearts, am published, retook chemistry, got my CEN (for fun), Impella, Balloon pump, CVVHD courses, and arranged some school specific letters of reference.

I received some very specific advice from programs that I've interviewed with and some that I didn't and would love to help anyone that has questions here.

some reoccurring themes were:

1. A preference for CVICU experience. In all 3 of my interviews there were very specific PA catheter questions and at least 1/4 of the interview panel had come from this background.

2. Leadership experience. Many of the schools had questions about my precepting experience, charge positions, and project leadership. With one school asking how I got my students ready for challenging cases and critical thinking scenarios.

3. Go to information seminars and local Nurse Anesthetist seminars. At two of my interviews students had gone to CAANA, met the director of the program, and had mock/informal interviews from the program director and were over-prepared for their interview. They had also gotten an opportunity to sit in on courses to get an idea of the program, meet the current students, and speak with instructors who were later part the interview panel. Ask whoever the admissions liaison is for this opportunity as it is not often advertised on the program website. If you have any program specific questions from list, please don't hesitate to ask.

4. Certs, Certs Certs. Everyone should have the CCRN. Consider it essential to your application. I've yet to meet an SRNA who didn't have their CCRN and I've been to three schools in three states. I would highly recommend certs specific to your unit as well, like NIHSS, TNCC, MICN, ENPC, CEN, Advanced arrhythmia/dysrhythmia courses, CCN through flex ed in Neveda and California-I'm sure your seeing a theme here. At Barry University I they had literally changed the application criteria after my application (adjusted the gpa and experience requirements) after I applied and though I didn't qualify, they kept me in correspondence and competition because of my long list of certs.

5. A competitive GRE score is anything above 300. Shoot for 320 though in my experience as long as your score is competitive it isn't too influential.

6. A high science gpa. Several schools offer accelerated science courses online. Take advantage of these. I majored in molecular biology and took 2 years of chemistry, 2 years of biology, 2 years of math, and physics at university while several of the other applicants were taking Organic chemistry and physics with online labs at the University of Phoenix.

7. Lastly, shadowing. At the California schools, the university offered shadowing experience as long as you had the requisite ICU experience and were applying their program in the upcoming application cycle. I was lucky enough to speak with someone from my interview panel before I interviewed.

Thanks for reading if you've made it this far. I hope that this helps those considering any of the programs I've mentioned. I realize that I was ambitious applying with essentially no ICU experience, but I am glad that I did. There is no substitute for first hand experience.

7 Votes

@jshtoole thank you, very helpful

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So I just finished taking an online ORGO class w/ UNE and got a B. I’m pretty upset and hope it won’t deter chances for next year... or am I just being dramatic?? Lol

p.s. I do not recommend doing orgo through UNE

1 Votes
Specializes in icu.

Hi Nikki

I started with UNE orgo and within the first two weeks It was driving me crazy with the style of "teaching" online. I quickly switched (and lost all my money) ended up with a B+ in the other course but I can honestly say I really did learn it. It is a difficult course anyway you cut it but I think a B in a Prerequisite class shouldn't be the determining piece whether you get in or not. I think you did a great job in the class getting a B and that should be acceptable towards the applications. My research about all of this, has taught me that they look at everything and not just one course. I don't believe a B will bring down your science GPA greatly either. Hold your head high and press on.

PS I hate how Organic chemistry is the "course" that weighs in on people's future.

1 Votes
Specializes in ER/SICU.

I seem to have forgotten that I’ve been accepted at 2 universities thus far this year, with 1 being in the top 5 on US best lists and have one interview with the #1 left for this week.

The second time around I applied I only applied to my top six and got into my dream school.

My best advice is to keep trying. Nothing beats experience. If you’re offered an interview great! If not you’ll gain a contact in the admission office that can help build your resume from there to be as specific for your dream school as it can be! I hope everyone on this page got in where they want to go.

2 Votes
Specializes in RN-BC, CCRN, TCRN, CEN.

I went so far as to take a travel contract in the city where I wanted to apply (only school there). I did make a few connections and I think overall it was helpful- I got a super sweet letter of rec from my intensivist. My GPA was awful... My heaviest weighted semester of OB/Peds brought down my ADN GPA to 2.9 something. My BSN was a little better around 3.2ish.

Before applying last year I took Advance PathoPhys online. It was cake and an easy A. I got an interview for the school in the city I was in. I was so excited! I seemed to be comparable to some other applicants... One girl was studying NCLEX questions beforehand ?‍♂️?‍♂️.

Interview went by fast. Because they didn't ask me any questions other than "tell me about yourself". I mentioned that I'm interested in aviation (to stand out). The director basically said "look, we love your personality and your application is great. But your GPA is what worries us". I said "what else can I do?". One professor recommended taking NP level Patho/Pharm, etc. I told him that is literally what I took last Spring. The Physio professor who was hardest of them all about my C+ from 2008, said upon my exit "maybe you should go become a pilot then!!". It was, essentially, an instant rejection. I considered walking out then and there, before the critical writing excerpt. I was so down I gave up on this dream for months. I applied and interviewed for a local Acute Care NP program. I was accepted.

I want to be a CRNA. Hands down... It took a few weeks but I dusted myself off and picked up, yet again... I enrolled for A&P2 once more and finally received an A+ in it. I reapplied to the school. Luckily, they keep your app and apply it to the next cycle, which disqualifies me from the new-applicant requirements of resubmitting letters of rec, etc. I did, however, write a letter outlining my changes, and discussing the significance and errs of my personal statement.

It is submitted. I feel that I will at least get re-interviewed but trying not to be optimistic. I believe I will get in this time, and intend to enroll in Grad level Physio (that actually teaches me something), and Pharm.

Additionally, I did do another shadow, more or less trying to get re-motivated to get back on this difficult path. It is what I truly want and I'm getting back up for the umpteenth time.

If you read this far, CONGRATS! Wish me luck!! And all the best to you all... If we want this, we WILL get it!

1 Votes
Specializes in CRNA.
6 hours ago, JMurse89 said:

Before applying last year I took Advance PathoPhys online. It was cake and an easy A. .......

I enrolled for A&P2 once more and finally received an A+

Admissions committees know that a lot of graduate courses are easy As. An undergrad A&P from a credible university is more meaningful.

0 Votes
Specializes in icu.

WOW!, incredible and inspiring stories. I am finishing up my Advanced Patho.... working at a Neuro ICU...very interesting...I am not sure how to go about leadership growth as I am a travel nurse...any suggestions? I am pondering if I should take advanced Pharmacology class next or focus on retaking the GRE scores? I got a 285...

Interestingly, I started taking Organic Chemistry at UNE and HATED their teaching style and I immediately left and took it at Univ of Minnesota and IT WAS AWESOME. Highly recommend it to others.

One more thing, have people been struggling with getting recommendations from their ICU managers? I know that we can't mention that we are working towards CRNA school in some situations ...feels like a dirty secret.... but yet committees want us to get the references....I am struggling with asking for letter of reference when some managers don't like the thought of nurses being there and using the ICU for the sole purpose of going to CRNA school.

Thank you all for the stories and encouragement. I am working on certifications too and will bravely try again to apply. Does anyone know of any changes that are occurring regarding application processes since COVID-19?

Stay safe and strong everyone

0 Votes
Specializes in RN-BC, CCRN, TCRN, CEN.

Has anyone done anything with research? I know getting your name on a published study is huge. I wanted to try and conduct a study about adenosine administration straight vs in a 10cc flush... It has been done but the sample size was small. I have our PharmD onboard (her idea really) but am not sure where to proceed from there. Obviously I'm going to talk to our educator and manager but just wanted to see if anyone had done something like this before.

0 Votes
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