CRNA School Dismissal for B-

Nursing Students SRNA

Updated:   Published

I have spent the past several years preparing myself for CRNA school. I was super excited when I was finally accepted and I spent a big chunk of change on tuition and relocation.

However, during the first semester, I had a bad test early that was worth a huge part of our grade (I did better moving forward after tweaking my study habits), but it was not enough to pull my grade up above the required 83%. I received a B- in the course, which ultimately led to my dismissal from the program. My overall GPA for the semester was 3.8. I had 4 A's and the B-. Apparently, this is failing in CRNA school. Has anyone else ever heard of this? I've done some research and found that many schools offer academic probation for one semester or do not have as strict of a grading policy.

I feel defeated and I'm not sure where to go from here. I did seek help early on but was only given study advice. Tutoring was not offered and it seemed that seeking help was frowned upon. I've never struggled academically before. I'm not a genius, but hard work and studying have always paid off for me. Until now.

I wonder if I should bother applying to another CRNA program? I know my odds are decreased now. Or just stay a nurse. (FNP has never appealed to me personally) I wish I had waited and gone to a different program, because this seems ridiculous. I'm back at the bedside now and I just want something more and can't think of any other progression within nursing that I would rather have than being a CRNA.

Any advice or insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

25 minutes ago, myoglobin said:

I don't see why you couldn't apply to a different program and just neglect to mention on the application your experience at this institution. True, you would lose all of the other credit from the other courses, but you also wouldn't be hindered by the dismissal. You would be starting "de novo". Alternatively, you could apply into a different NP specialty. In my ICU I knew two separate individuals who were "ejected" from CRNA school sadly during various stages of clinical and in one case they had acquired over 80K in student loan debt (from the program) by the time they were dismissed. To me were I going the CRNA school route I would vastly prefer a program that had a higher pass rate (in school) but lower pass rate on the boards. Given that you can always "test again" for the boards, but failing in school presents a greater challenge (I feel the same with RN programs) and indeed with MD programs (hence I might take a program say on Grenada with a high pass rate but lower USMLE pass rate than one say in New York with the opposite results)

Hi Myoglobin,

I can reapply. It just sucks because of the lost time and money, but if you really want something you'll go for it, right?

In regards to disclosing a dismissal, every application asks you if you have attended another program. You technically have to send in transcripts from every university you have ever attended. Not doing so would be fraudulent if you were found out and your shiny new CRNA degree could be revoked under these conditions. At least that is my understanding. Considering my current luck (laughing, but also crying here), I don't think I would take any chances with that.

Thanks for your perspective. You make some really good points.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.

This post drew my attention based on the title.

I can't be of help, but wanted to say that I found your school's policy ridiculous. I think a B- or C once or twice in a program is acceptable, pending they show improvement. At least offer the person academic probation, particularly if their grades are stellar otherwise.

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Specializes in CRNA.
1 hour ago, CriticalRN said:

I used US News and World Report to look for top programs. However, knowing what I know now I would not have given this list much consideration. I would choose a school that is invested in helping students succeed. At the end of the day, when you finish school/pass boards it doesn't matter if you graduated from the #1 school or #50, as long as you pass.

The US News list is done by a survey of program directors. The survey lists every program in the country and a 1 to 5 scale, and the PD are asked to rank all the programs on the scale. The bottom 5 programs probably have issues, but otherwise it doesn’t mean anything. It’s a ‘good ole boys’ club more than anything. It certainly doesn’t reflect the clinical training of the programs. The ‘top’ programs are the ones that argue against requirements for regional anesthesia because they can’t get 10 blocks per student.

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Specializes in CRNA.
1 hour ago, CriticalRN said:

In regards to disclosing a dismissal, every application asks you if you have attended another program.

Every student is recorded by the NBCRNA and the programs will find out if you were in another program.

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Specializes in CRNA.
1 hour ago, DowntheRiver said:

I think a B- or C once or twice in a program is acceptable, pending they show improvement. At least offer the person academic probation, particularly if their grades are stellar otherwise.

2 Cs is not acceptable in any program that I know of. And for good reason. Boards are no joke, and a program is not ethical to keep pushing a student through and taking their tuition to have them never pass boards. Only 84% pass on first attempt, and only 66% pass on second attempt. So it’s a balancing act for programs. Need to be tough enough to prepare people for boards but not so inflexible to unnecessarily eliminate people who would be good practitioners. Seems some students (and I’m not talking about the OP) expect second chances time and again, but then want someone to blame when they don’t pass.

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Specializes in SRNA.
4 hours ago, CriticalRN said:

I agree. The policy is there for a reason and I'm not asking for a free hand out. However, this policy should have been more transparent. It's actually a new policy for this program. Historically, students were allowed to get two C's during the course of the program. Some schools still do this or offer academic probation for one semester. Getting a B- in one class due to a bad test is not a great reflection of a student's capabilities. It hurts the student and the school's attrition rate. No one wins.

You make a fantastic point about this whole, "just go for it" movement. I cringe a bit now seeing these, how to get into CRNA school with a low GPA or people who had to take the CCRN multiple times but kept trying and stuck with it. That is great and all, but just beware that CRNA school has Chemistry and physics. A lot of straight memorization. Be ready for what you are getting into. It is doable. I don't regret trying. I just regret not going to a school that was more invested in the students than the #s. Give yourself the best possible chance by doing your research.

This is depressing. I’m sorry this happened. I just started school and while I’m doing well I know what is at stake and it is nerve racking. I agree about the people trying to get in with no past academic success. Desire will only get people so far in anesthesia school.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

WOW!. This is super scary. This makes me want to rethink my entire plan. One grade below 83 and instant dismissal... That’s absolutely horrible.

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Specializes in Critical Thinking-Critical Care.
26 minutes ago, headofcurls said:

WOW!!. This is super scary. This makes me want to rethink my entire plan. One grade below 83 and instant dismissal... That’s absolutely horrible.

Yup same here. Or at least investigate the schools grading policy prior to applying.

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.
17 hours ago, loveanesthesia said:

2 Cs is not acceptable in any program that I know of. And for good reason. Boards are no joke, and a program is not ethical to keep pushing a student through and taking their tuition to have them never pass boards. Only 84% pass on first attempt, and only 66% pass on second attempt. So it’s a balancing act for programs. Need to be tough enough to prepare people for boards but not so inflexible to unnecessarily eliminate people who would be good practitioners. Seems some students (and I’m not talking about the OP) expect second chances time and again, but then want someone to blame when they don’t pass.

People have lives, though. Parents pass away, medical emergencies happen, children get sick. Sometimes grades fall because of a temporary situation. That doesn't mean the person isn't going to be prepared to take their boards, exams, or certifications. Programs are too strict. I'm not saying it's acceptable to get all C's, I'm saying one B and/or one C isn't an exact predictor of what people actually can do.

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Specializes in CRNA.

Most programs consider B a passing grade. And Cs do predict failure on the certification exam. The national pass rate is 84% and if a program has their pass rate fall below 80% the program is put on monitoring by the COA. If you were in charge of a program, what would you do?

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Specializes in Urgent Care, Oncology.
2 minutes ago, loveanesthesia said:

If you were in charge of a program, what would you do?

Not dismiss somebody for one B-, that's for sure. Academic probation for the next semester and then if the grades don't come up then dismiss the person from the program.

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Specializes in CRNA.
1 minute ago, DowntheRiver said:

Not dismiss somebody for one B-, that's for sure. Academic probation for the next semester and then if the grades don't come up then dismiss the person from the program.

That’s true for most programs, so applicants should inform themselves.

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