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.
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.
I agree with this as well. A trend over time instead of one B- would be a better indicator of the student's capabilities. Especially since most programs are three years long now. Life happens and that could certainly affect academic performance on a test that could bottom out your grade. I'm just imagining if someone found out they were pregnant or their spouse died, etc. The amount of stress from that situation in combination with the pressure to have zero slip-ups in school could drive someone off the edge.
I've spoken to friends in medical school. They have the option to remediate a test if they do awful on it. I don't know why anesthesia schools have so little hesitation in failing people. Obviously, the program saw something in them when they accepted them. Prior academic and clinical performance was strong and we are all capable of learning here. I hypothesize it aligns with the whole nurses eat their young thing. Nursing culture can be ugly. Saddens me that treating each other poorly is a cornerstone of our profession.
I feel that CRNA schools are possibly trying to "overcompensate" for the MD's attitudes with whom they work so closely that "nurses shouldn't really be doing this anyway". Thus, they create such high standards that they can in essence say "we only take the best, and only keep the very best". Contrast this to medical schools (for example the psychiatrist that I trained under failed USMLE step II twice before passing on the third attempt and is regarded as one of the best psychiatrists in central Florida) who take the approach which in essence states "you have proven yourself so much just to be here that we are going to give you tremendous benefit of the doubt during the arduous process of medical school" In essence they look for ways to facilitate success rather than excuses to fail people (indeed I believe this attitude also permeates many RN programs at the undergraduate level and also many professional work environments dominated by RN's).
I have heard of people making it almost to the end with $200,000 in debt looming over their heads and not finishing. That would be devastating. Hopefully, this post can help other prospective students to know what to be aware of.
This is my worst fear- I've been looking into attrition rates which is the best indicator of students completing the program with a little 'help' from the school. I'm sorry this happened to you.
This is my worst fear- I've been looking into attrition rates which is the best indicator of students completing the program with a little 'help' from the school. I'm sorry this happened to you.
Yes, schools make such a big deal out of their "board pass rates". When I see nursing (or any other program) with 100% board pass rates I think "great you start with exceptionally gifted students and then create ridiculously hard standards and those left end up passing something designed to measure entry level competence". Show me high graduation and decent pass rates with average or better yet below average students and I am far more persuaded that some excellent teaching is going on. Schools like MIT where the average SAT is something like 99% percentile in math could literally put students in an isolation chamber with nothing other than a pad, paper and maybe a tablet that linked to Khan Academy and two years later still produce upper echelon engineers and programmers. Schools should have to feature three stats front and center: Average graduation rate, average total cost to graduation, and average board pass rates. We require fast food to show calorie counts (something which costs a few dollars) and yet don't require the same transparency for something that frequently runs into the tens of thousands and many years of peoples lives.
Hi CriticalRN, don't give up. Something similar happened to me back in 2016. Today I am a CRNA. I would look at your handbook and appeal the decision. If its meant for you to be a CRNA, no one can take it away. It just might take longer and the path may be different.
I appealed my dismissial and won. When I finally graduated I was one of the top students in my class. Going through that period turned me into a beast academically and mentally. My confidence went through the roof. I made a decision that day to really figure out how I learn best and never ever feel the despair I felt. I soon realized I could then learn and do anything. Feel free to DM me if you need any assistance.
Also I know 2 CRNA programs, the Univ of Puerto Rico and UNE in Portland, ME which accepted students who were dismissed from another school.
Hi CriticalRN, don't give up. Something similar happened to me back in 2016. Today I am a CRNA. I would look at your handbook and appeal the decision. If its meant for you to be a CRNA, no one can take it away. It just might take longer and the path may be different.
I appealed my dismissial and won. When I finally graduated I was one of the top students in my class. Going through that period turned me into a beast academically and mentally. My confidence went through the roof. I made a decision that day to really figure out how I learn best and never ever feel the despair I felt. I soon realized I could then learn and do anything. Feel free to DM me if you need any assistance.
Also I know 2 CRNA programs, the Univ of Puerto Rico and UNE in Portland, ME which accepted students who were dismissed from another school.
I also had a very similar situation. I was dismissed from a program in 2017. It was an academic dismissal. I had been doing really well and had some personal issues coupled with a difficult instructor. I tried to re-apply to some CRNA programs after my dismissal. I was completely transparent about my situation. I received a request to interview contingent on a letter from my previous director--who refused to even acknowledge my existence after my dismissal--stating the nature of my dismissal. Without that letter, the other school would not and did not consider my application. You mentioned a couple of schools that accept students who were dismissed. Do you know if they have similar policies? Are my hopes of ever becoming a CRNA dashed because of my past failure and my previous director?
OK. That was grounds for appeal. But that is OK. You must move forward. It has been 3 years and by the time you are able to start a CRNA program it will be 4 or more. Again, I know personally both of those schools have accepted dismissed students in the past. Not sure of the answer to your question. But I am going to try to find out. I would apply and explain it away as issues going on in your life but nothing about the instructor. I will try to message you on here. And give you my email address. Hang in there! Again if you are meant to be a CRNA then that you will be.
I am not in anyway discouraging you from going back to CRNA school, but your chances of getting admitted to another school is very limited. Also, even if you get admitted, the program director/professors are going to watch you like a hawk. I also failed CRNA school, not because of failing an exam but because of a failing a clinical. Clinical eval are a huge part of your grade and are very subjective (my professors chose to believe my preceptors instead of me). Basically I got in trouble for things my preceptors said versus what really happened. This can happen to you too, especially that you'll be watched like a hawk.
I am not in anyway discouraging you from going back to CRNA school, but your chances of getting admitted to another school is very limited. Also, even if you get admitted, the program director/professors are going to watch you like a hawk. I also failed CRNA school, not because of failing an exam but because of a failing a clinical. Clinical eval are a huge part of your grade and are very subjective (my professors chose to believe my preceptors instead of me). Basically I got in trouble for things my preceptors said versus what really happened. This can happen to you too, especially that you'll be watched like a hawk.
just my two cents.
A few points to consider:
a. The capricious nature of preceptor/clinical evaluations is one of the things that drove me from CRNA school instead towards a psych NP route. I believe this to be an especially big issue in areas of the country where anesthesia services are dominated by MD's. Even in my NP Program many of the psychiatrists that I worked with all but voiced the opinion (in some cases they actually did) that only MD's should be doing the work and no RN who was not exceptionally outstanding should be allowed to matriculate (rather than the school standard which is "competence" as defined by national, and state guidelines).
b. Sometimes people can "get another shot" if they are persistent and original in their approach. I have several graduate students (and one MD student) who I have helped get back in their graduate school programs after diagnosing (and subsequently) treating them for ADHD. Indeed, after the diagnosis one medical school student was not only allowed back in to the program they were given extra time on examinations and more time to turn in assignments.
Have you applied anywhere else? Have you heard of your chances after your encounter with your other school what you can do to get into another program if you wish?
CriticalRN
9 Posts
I agree with this as well. A trend over time instead of one B- would be a better indicator of the student's capabilities. Especially since most programs are three years long now. Life happens and that could certainly affect academic performance on a test that could bottom out your grade. I'm just imagining if someone found out they were pregnant or their spouse died, etc. The amount of stress from that situation in combination with the pressure to have zero slip-ups in school could drive someone off the edge.
I've spoken to friends in medical school. They have the option to remediate a test if they do awful on it. I don't know why anesthesia schools have so little hesitation in failing people. Obviously, the program saw something in them when they accepted them. Prior academic and clinical performance was strong and we are all capable of learning here. I hypothesize it aligns with the whole nurses eat their young thing. Nursing culture can be ugly. Saddens me that treating each other poorly is a cornerstone of our profession.