getting into crna school isnt that bad

manusko · Nov 17, 2012

I just got in at university of tennessee chatt anethesia program. ive worked in a medical icu for 6 years, havent taken any classes since graduating nursing school. my gpa is a 3.39 GRE scores 140 math and 145 verbal thats about an 800 on the old scoring system. analytical writing 4.5...accepted a friend of mine too with similar scores...have my ccrn. To those with not so great scores, you can definately get in. It's the whole package they are looking at. passed ccrn studying pass ccrn cd and laura gasparis dvds. studied my butt off for the interview and wasnt even asked really hard questions at all. just know hemodynamics and drugs and a little about disease processes...you guys can do this :)

That's great that you got in but some schools have higher standards. Also some schools have tougher interviews. My school won't interview if your GRE is under 900 and a buddy of mine went to a schools that required an 1100. All schools are different and that's why they are ranked higher/lower than others. Good luck to you in school.

crebs · Nov 17, 2012

Wow congratulations! Thanks for providing inspiration to all aspiring CRNAs. Yes some schools have different requirements but good for you for showing that people with different qualifications can stilli get in. Good luck in school!

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Nov 18, 2012

I agree with morificeko. Every program is different. Some have very low standards and accept tons of students then weed out. I don't think that ut chatt is like that as I was going to apply there too and looked at the program. There are definitely mill schools out there that have too many students , not enough clinical sites and end up doubling up on clinicals. Also it depends on what the applicant pool looks like at the time you apply. that year there may have been more people with lower scores across the board so chances of getting in are higher. I also feel that it is best to prepare as much as you can to be prepared for school and as a grad crna. Taking extra classes are also for that goal. Certainly you might het in with lower scores somewhere , but you might only want in one program that you know is competitive and you want to get in your first shot. I think circumstances were great for you this year and congrats on getting in ! I also agree that how you interview and what your experience is also may hold more wt w some programs. Definitely looking at the whole package of what you bring . Not all programs are like that however .

Good luck to you and it's nice to hear the variety of scores getting in at places ! I would love to know what my chances are where I applied.

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 19, 2012

I have never know anyone who applied and didn't get in. 5-10 nurses a year head to CRNA school from our unit and I never heard of anyone having trouble getting in. I know a few who had to apply two years in a row but that's it. Even some of our nurses who had low GPAs got in after taking a few graduate classes.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Nov 19, 2012

I have seen Many on this board and other boards that took several tries to get in. One person at my work took 4 years. I dont know his stats tho. It Is easier now if you apply then iy used rop be as there are many programs compared to 10 years ago. So if you apply to many programs then chances are you will find one, but that doesn't mean that you should go anywhere you got in. I believe Florida graduates 300 every year. That is why getting jobs with decent pay may be more difficult there. I hope everyone is seriously evaluating the schools to decide how the program is preparing them. A school that accepts the majority of their students off of the alternate list every year then that may mean that people got into other top choice schools and declined their seats. I would never want to get in on alternate. If so then I would wonder how I was not acceptable the first time around. Where was I deficient and does that mean that I will struggle thru school bc I was not ready. That's all I was saying. Hey at this point I am still jealous you got in and I havent heard yet !

PMFB-RN, RN · Nov 19, 2012

I think the unit you work in makes a HUGE difference. The schools in the area know our ICU and know what kind of experience the nurses work there have and the autonomy they have.

MsBruiser · Nov 19, 2012

A lot of CRNA(s) where I work are not the sharpest tools in the shed. OP doesn't surprise me. Takes money and time more than brains - like many part of medicine.

27medic · Nov 19, 2012

missnurse01:

I would like to see you get into your top choice school off an alternate list and turn that down. Speaking from someone just accepted off the alternate list, I would accept again in a heart beat. Many schools interview students meet or exceed qualifications and then use the interview process to look for red flags and further rank similar students. Many students are on alternative lists who are highly qualified, but there are only so many slots.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Nov 19, 2012

Congrats medic and I would prob do the same ! I have been reading a lot about schools , alternate lists , and trying to eval the quality of schools. I just want to get in at a quality school and be trained as a competent provider. I think many students do not eval schools closely before they get in then come out not trained well, or have horrible experiences. I shadowed with a lady recently who is a new grad and spoke about not getting regional experience , preop or postop instruction , and was verbally and sometimes physically abused in clinical. Also she stated that they all had to tolerate sexual innuendo on clinical as well. I just wanted to state that everyone should eval their school and just bc they can find any school to get in doesn't mean that they should go there. I did not mean any offense to anyone.

27medic · Nov 20, 2012

I am not offended, I feel like I got into a high quality school and am happy with my decision. Just don't want people to be closed minded when it comes to alternative lists. I would rather have gotten into my top choice off the alternative list than to continue my search just to find another school that will let me in.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Nov 20, 2012

Exactly !