For those looking to go to CRNA school

[Dino]

Got some clearity that may help those who aren't sure if they have the qualifications schools look for in a candidate. Spoke with an individual who is in charge of a local CRNA program near me. Yes, GPA's should be above 3.0, now getting as high of gpa as possible can only help, and is desired, but the notion that unless your gpa is above 3.5 you have no shot is not true either. Essentially, applicants can be broken into buckets.

Bucket one, those who did traditional BSN program, or ADN, then got BSN while working and had high gpa 3.5 and above who also have anywhere from 5-10 years ICU experience. This is probably a very competative candidate, esp. if have 5+ years ICU.

Bucket two, which is my bucket, the individual with prior BS degree, mostly science majors, may have gpa above 3.5, but alot do not. Then go to 2 nd degree program or ADN program, get ICU experience and apply. According to the individual I spoke with, as long as person has decent ICU experience, has 3.0 or above in BSN program, having a first degree below 3.5 will not hurt the applicant. In fact, they like to see advanced science courses, because you just are not exposed to them in a BSN program, just the basic A&P, basic chemistry etc... so having below 3.5 in higher sciences is not fround upon at all.

To make yourself competitive he said having a B or better in higher science courses is much more desired than a 4.0 with just nursing degree and no higher level science courses. So, figure out where you fall in these buckets because although not 100%, these are the 2 types that are accepted into CRNA school the majority of the time. I am sure that some who have been accepted may fall outside these buckets, I am just repeating what I was told from the people who run the program.

[N2bater]

Great post, very helpful, I am in that 2nd bucket