CRNA questions

BigPappaCRNA · Apr 22, 2020

1. No. Your grades are what they are. It is highly unlikely that a program would accept you. 3.0 is the MINIMUM, but there are simply too many people who don't have bad grades, and who do not have glaring weaknesses in their qualifications. Honestly, CRNA school is exponentially harder. BSN classes are a joke. If you have a GPA under 3 from your BSN, you really have not hope of successfully matriculating a CRNA program. Sorry to be so blunt, but you just don't.

2. No. No schools online. There may, MAY be some classes unrelated to anesthesia that can be done online through the university, but you need to be able to go to school in person.

3. Your endoscopy experience will not count, for anything. You need ICU experience.

4. Yes. You need to quit your job. Move to a different unit, and get 4-5 years of quality experience, to even be considered. Many can get considered with less, but since you have so many glaring deficiencies in your other qualifications, you will need more than one year of ICU experience. Additionally, if you honestly feel, after 6-9 months in the ICU that you are bored and there is not much left to learn, than you are not in the right ICU getting the right experience.

Honestly, I would look elsewhere. You do not seem to have the objective self reflection needed for this. Save your self the headache and heartache of quitting your job, moving, paying 50-100K, and everything else, just to then not be able to finish the program.

Defibn', RN, EMT-P · Apr 23, 2020

BigPappa is a little blunt but correct. You are just not anywhere close to applying. If CRNA is truly something you want to do, you have a very long road ahead. You can certainly try to boost GPA with additional classes, specifically science courses. You need to get into a great ICU first to start getting experience. Too many folks think they can be an exception. I’m sure someone in your position has done it before. However, they would be a rarity. Work on what I said and in a few years decide if CRNA is what you want.

Brittnurse4 · Apr 23, 2020

thank you so much for reaching out. I have really learned alot from yall's responces. I was asking mainly because I looked on the CRNA school websites and couldn't find some answers and each site had a different option of what they required so I wasn't sure. I tried to research as much as I could but I needed a second opinion....I post this exact thing on the CRNA group on Reddit and got obliterated so thank you for being respectful and nice :) I think ill turn my interest into getting my MSN in nursing admin for now and see how that goes...I meet alot of the requirements and I think its something I can really see myself doing...thanks again for reaching out

Defibn', RN, EMT-P · Apr 23, 2020

CRNA school is definitely not for everyone. You have a good attitude about hearing the hard truths. Maybe you would make a great anesthesia provider. However, your grades do not reflect that you would be successful in anesthesia school. The harsh reality is that admissions committees have to be objective. When are applying against 3 other people for 1 one spot, you have to a GPA that will at least get them to look deeper into your application. Keep your chin up. You have a whole career to figure out what will satisfy your goals.

NRKB, MSN, RN · Apr 25, 2020

Look if you really like the job as a CRNA then don't give up. You do have to be realistic though. If you get excellent ICU experience at a busy hospital, shadow CRNA's, pass your CCRN, and get excellent grades in your MSN program then I don't see why you can't apply to CRNA school and be a good candidate. The thing about life is that we are constantly growing and learning about ourselves and our abilities. Your grades in nursing school do not define you, but what is important is recognize and acknowledge your areas of weakness (we ALL have them even CRNA's trust me they do) and make them strengths. THIS is the journey a decent CRNA panel would respect, and it is not boring. There is a quote that my son's tutor has on her page, and it may be from someone famous. I am not sure, but it says, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." Please read that over until you understand it. Don't ever give up or give in because something seems impossible. This is your life and be excellent!

Nursegrape7000, BSN, RN · May 28, 2020

I just wanted to second (third, etc!) that if an area or a particular field or job inspires you, don’t give up! Get in the weeds and learn - do your research, absorb everything you can at work to be a great nurse, a great ICU nurse and a great contributor to the unit. Read to improve your vocabulary and writing, re-do courses to show your commitment to mastering the material and your study skills. The majority of success is a result of self-discipline, drive and dedication. Some of us have more obstacles to overcome, and that is okay! Doesn’t mean anything is impossible, you just have to be sure of your priorities and go for it.