Experienced CRNA...ask me anything

CoffeeScrubsAndRubberGloves, BSN, RN · Jun 25, 2019

On 7/26/2017 at 8:05 PM, 06crna said:
Okay...If you've read my posts you know that I will be retiring soon.
Now is your chance to ask a practicing CRNA anything.
12 years of experience from solo rural independent to medical-direction urban ACT. Former Chief and Clinical Coordinator of SRNAs.
I will not reveal my identity, specific locations, employers, or programs.
Anything else...ask away.

I’ve been working on my BSN to apply to CRNA school. I am 1 8 week session away from completing my BSN. I currently am a charge nurse in a Thoracic/Vascular surgical ICU at a level one teaching hospital in Florida. Our floor specializes in lung transplants and vascular surgeries. Most of our cases are sent from other hospitals that can’t handle the complex cases. We also specialize in VA and VV ECMO. I’ve been on that unit for a little more than a year. Before that I was an Emergency/Trauma nurse in the shock/trauma area for 3 years. So most of my experience there was also very acute. I also had 1 year of Oncology and 1 year of Medical IMC/ICU at the same facility. I realized I wanted to be a CRNA after the birth of my 1 year old when I had a very exceptional encounter with a CRNA and knew in that instant I wanted to be that person for others. To make a long story short my ASN GPA was only 3.2 but I’ve managed to keep my BSN at 4.0. I wonder if will be enough to make me competitive for top schools... any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA · Jun 27, 2019

On 6/25/2019 at 10:43 AM, CoffeeScrubsAndRubberGloves said:
I’ve been working on my BSN to apply to CRNA school. I am 1 8 week session away from completing my BSN. I currently am a charge nurse in a Thoracic/Vascular surgical ICU at a level one teaching hospital in Florida. Our floor specializes in lung transplants and vascular surgeries. Most of our cases are sent from other hospitals that can’t handle the complex cases. We also specialize in VA and VV ECMO. I’ve been on that unit for a little more than a year. Before that I was an Emergency/Trauma nurse in the shock/trauma area for 3 years. So most of my experience there was also very acute. I also had 1 year of Oncology and 1 year of Medical IMC/ICU at the same facility. I realized I wanted to be a CRNA after the birth of my 1 year old when I had a very exceptional encounter with a CRNA and knew in that instant I wanted to be that person for others. To make a long story short my ASN GPA was only 3.2 but I’ve managed to keep my BSN at 4.0. I wonder if will be enough to make me competitive for top schools... any advice or words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

What is a "top school?"

CoffeeScrubsAndRubberGloves, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2019

5 hours ago, ProgressiveThinking said:
What is a "top school?"

I’ve been looking into schools like Emory, Duke, Buffalo, University of Pennsylvania, VCU. All schools that have been reported as being consider in high ranking according to their programs.

Obiwanwasabi, BSN · Jul 19, 2019

Hi Y'all,

I am currently a nursing student at TWU, weekend program and will be graduating next summer. My situation is that I had prior BS degree in Bio (2005) with very low GPA. I got my MHA degree in 2014, with 3.3 GPA, and now with nursing, and I think I will be hitting around 3.4. Would most school look at the total over GPA, or mostly focus on the nursing GPA? In addition, I would need to retake chem classes since those are more than 10 years old.

I am concerned that I can't make it in with that GPA. What are y'all's input? Any comment would be greatly appreciated.

BigPappaCRNA · Jul 21, 2019

All aspects of your GPA are borderline, or worse. Not being a jerk, just being very direct and objective. You will need to take several hard science classes, Grad level, and show you can do well. And you should for yourself. Don't invest a year of your blood, sweat, tears, and life, only to have to drop out and have a 50K bill for nothing.

CoffeeScrubsAndRubberGloves, BSN, RN · Jul 21, 2019

On 7/21/2019 at 1:35 PM, BigPappaCRNA said:
All aspects of your GPA are borderline, or worse. Not being a jerk, just being very direct and objective. You will need to take several hard science classes, Grad level, and show you can do well. And you should for yourself. Don't invest a year of your blood, sweat, tears, and life, only to have to drop out and have a 50K bill for nothing.

I appreciate you being candid, but I wonder why you say my GPA is borderline or worse? I am also very aware of the bill and challenge school brings. I appreciate the advice and will definitely consider it. I would hope this is something an interview panel would mention before accepting someone into their school as I know dropping out also greatly effects their numbers.

BigPappaCRNA · Jul 23, 2019

On 7/21/2019 at 11:10 AM, CoffeeScrubsAndRubberGloves said:
I appreciate you being candid, but I wonder why you say my GPA is borderline or worse? I am also very aware of the bill and challenge school brings. I appreciate the advice and will definitely consider it. I would hope this is something an interview panel would mention before accepting someone into their school as I know dropping out also greatly effects their numbers.

Because your initial Bio degree was low. Your existing graduate degree grades are quite low (3.3) and you only have a 3.4 GPA in your BSN, which is the easiest part yet, from your three academic forays. The number of excellent candidates, who just do not have any wholes in their resumes grows every year. Your grades, as they currently sit, will likely only get you into a large puppy mill program, which will be extremely expensive, and highly impersonal. You are just not competitive as things currently are for any of the really top schools around the country. And you will just have to show that you are able to get top grades in a hard, science based, graduate level class.

CoffeeScrubsAndRubberGloves, BSN, RN · Jul 31, 2019

On 7/23/2019 at 10:54 AM, BigPappaCRNA said:
Because your initial Bio degree was low. Your existing graduate degree grades are quite low (3.3) and you only have a 3.4 GPA in your BSN, which is the easiest part yet, from your three academic forays. The number of excellent candidates, who just do not have any wholes in their resumes grows every year. Your grades, as they currently sit, will likely only get you into a large puppy mill program, which will be extremely expensive, and highly impersonal. You are just not competitive as things currently are for any of the really top schools around the country. And you will just have to show that you are able to get top grades in a hard, science based, graduate level class.

I think you may have me confused with a different writer. I completed my BSN with a 4.0. Sure, I had a 3.3 in my ADN, but I realized that was an issue and stepped up for my bachelors. Also took statistics in my BSN and got an A. I feel like maybe a 4.0 is about as good as I can do in a BSN. I mean if you feel like I need to still take a grad level science that's always an option, but I have a very strong background in nursing for almost 7 years now. Also, application period ends Oct 1 of this year, so I don't feel as though i will be able to add a science course before that deadline. I am however planning to take an biochem class just for a refresher and prep for school. This is because unlike some of competition, I actually care what is happening to my patient, and want to make sure that they not only are comfortable, but safe.

Also feel like expecting a working single mother at the time in an ADN program is a much different animal than a 19 year old with no responsibility other than school. Sure there's no excuses, and I am more than willing to prove I am capable. I also will say that I am a totally different person today than I was 8 years ago, with a support system, confidence and a passion. I would hope that would make a difference. And I would hope that the 4.0 I got in my BSN and not a 3.3 would make some kind of difference.

Just my thoughts, no hard feelings. Thanks for being real.

AlyCruise, BSN · Aug 14, 2019

Hello, are you still answering questions?

- Aly

droot353 · Jan 13, 2020

Thanks for all the info you've provided, I've learned a lot through your thread=) !!

Can you quickly touch on some of the different subspecialties within CRNA/ what the most desirable picks are and why/ how it works with being floated to other OR's etc (for example, if you are an ortho crna, can you get floated to an OR doing cardiac or neuro cases?)

Thank you again for your time!!

emcrna, RN · Apr 25, 2020

Hello and I have considered CRNA school in the past & since then, I still have it in my heart to go for it. But in the between the past and the present, I realized how I need to update my knowledge, my GPA and obtain all certifications to achieve my goal as a CRNA. There were thoughts of how late of timing is now that I am 57, but what are my chances of chasing this dream? Before this, for four years I could have attempted those improvements, however I feel it is still not too late. My children are grown and have families. We see each other doing holidays and special occasions. I feel in my heart that I want to pursue CRNA. It's always in my heart. Any advice on how I can obtain higher GPA, certifications, & advanced classes to get a better chance in getting accepted?

Please advise

thank you