DNP accepted applicants...what do you think about my stats (below) as an applicant?

[CardiacqueeenQRS]

What was your cum GPA vs nursing GPA? Have you heard about certain things your school looks for? What school did you get into?

my cum GPA (with another degree that I wasn't passionate about) = 3.49

my nursing GPA = 3.97

I graduated with a BSN and was hired on a cardiac transplant unit at a large hospital. I've been working there for two years. Daily work with advanced HF, LVADs, and pre/post cardiac transplant patients

What are your thoughts? Anything will help! Thank you!!

[Bumex, DNP, NP]

Depends greatly on several variables not mentioned: 1) what track? (CRNA/FNP/AGPCNP/Admin/etc.), 2) you say you have another degree you weren't passionate about; was it an associates, bachelors, masters?, 3) the biggest variable- why is pursuing the DNP the choice for you?

In all honesty, grades and experience is great, but from what I've heard those are an assumption. The key is your essay(s). Again, from what I have heard.

[MathewB]

Hi Cardiac Queen:

I think that the best answer for you is also the least satisfying: "It depends."

My acceptance into a brick-and-mortar DNP program at a small midwest university is only a month old. I start in two months, summer semester.

If it's any relief, my cumulative GPA was CONSIDERABLY lower than yours. You can read about it on the thread here on AN: https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/haunted-by-my-1106824.html

The program to which I was accepted is well-known for being non-traditional student friendly. They never mentioned my poor overall GPA at all during the interview. If I had to guess, I would say they put equal or greater weight on the grades from my RN-BSN classes at another university, the results of my Miller Analogies Test (vs. GRE) and my essay, along with my interview.

The program for which I was rejected -Concordia University- did not require a GRE or MAT, and the rejection letter I received clearly said that I did not meet all the requirements. The only stipulated requirement I did not achieve was the cumulative GPA.

So, some schools sort by GPA, some have other means by which to select. In my case, I think being rejected from my first choice was a good thing for several reasons.

Good luck: You have an awesome GPA, and are probably a contender for any program you choose!

[Jules A, MSN]

The good news for anyone interested is there are many DNP and NP programs that will accept anyone who can pay the tuition. Not good news for our profession but it is what it is I suppose.

[Bluebolt]

If you're talking about a BSN to DNP CRNA program (what I'm currently in) then you are missing some requirements for application. The GPA is okay and with the other many things (Leadership skills, comprehensive critical care experience, research, GRE, CCRN, personal interview and essay, letters of recommendation, high science GPA) you could be a competitive candidate.

If you're talking about a general BSN to DNP Nurse Practitioner program I'm sure you can find somewhere with a BSN and above a 3.0 GPA you'd be competetive. Many are either entirely online or partially online so if you don't live near their campus it shouldn't affect you very much. Almost all will have you set up your own clinicals with people you know in your area so it's very flexible to your life and schedule, so no worries.

Good luck with your education.