Getting too far ahead of myself?

juliaann · Mar 17, 2010

I'm in virtually the same place as you with similar goals. I am choosing not to take my GRE before nursing school. A lot of CRNA programs do want it within 5 years, and I'm just not positive I'll be ready to apply in 5 years. I'm taking a 15-month accelerated BSN program starting next May, and then hopefully getting a few years of ICU experience. But there are so many things that could push this plan over 5 years: needing to repeat a semester of nursing school, not being able to find a job right away, needing to work in med/surg or something to get enough experience to transfer to an ICU, etc. Plus life, family, potential emergencies requiring taking time off from school, who knows? Maybe in nursing school or my first years as a new grad RN I'll change my mind about CRNA school.

I'll have plenty of time after completing my aBSN to prepare for the GRE - and if I don't feel ready, I can take a review course.

Good luck with whatever you decide! For me, I'm just taking some extra sciences (advanced chems/biochem/physics I & II) and other classes I see that a lot of CRNA programs require that I don't have from my first bachelor's and won't get in my aBSN or its pre-reqs; and trying to keep my GPA as awesome as possible.

Class2011 · Mar 17, 2010

The GRE people will only send official score reports for tests taken within five years. After that, you would have to take the test again or submit an official copy of your own.

I don't see any need to take the GRE right after you graduate. It's really just basic math and a lot of fancy words that few people use in or out of college. I think the important thing is to find time to prepare for it.

loveanesthesia · Mar 17, 2010

I graduated with a degree in biology may 09 with not so stellar grades (just below a 3.0).
Are there any classes in particular that CRNA schools look at such as A&P, biochem, stats?

Science classes are looked at closely, so if it was the science that brought your GPA below 3.0, that could be a problem. Also many programs have a 3.0 GPA minimum.

Wolfless · Mar 27, 2010

Would you recommend taking any science classes over again? I did poorly(C's) in both AP's and microbio and I think I can take them as part of my nursing school courses. I'm just not sure if it would replace those grades or they would be counted.

Wolfless · Mar 28, 2010

Would it be okay to take a few classes over again if they are offered as part of the curriculum for my nursing program? I think I can take microbiology again, but I would like to take AP I and II again and even biochem. I made C's in these and I know they are going to hurt me. If they aren't offered through my nursing program should I take them at a local undergrad or CC? Maybe even wait till I finish my RN. I am wondering how my low GPA will hurt me. Will a good nursing school and BSN GPA have more impact than my undergad GPA?

FLAreN · Mar 30, 2010

They will look at your sciences as well as your nursing grades. I would take the "C" classes over. It doesn't matter where you take them as long as you are going to get better grades in them. I will tell you that some schools scrutinize your science grades more than your nursing grades. This is because anesthesia is a totally different beast than nursing and it will focus more on biochem, chem, A&P as a base and NOT nursing. Nursing is only there to facilitate your ability to handle clinicals and the hands-on things. Yes, you will need to know your basic critical care nursing skills but even that is based moreso on the sciences. As an anesthesia provider you are required to know why you do or do not do things on a much much more in depth level; thus, you will need a strong human bio & science background. As for the GRE, I would take it now since you just completed your B.S. Bio. Ofcourse, that would mean you would have to apply to CRNA school within 5 years of taking the GRE. If you are determined and failure is not an option, you can do it! Good luck!

loveanesthesia · Mar 30, 2010

Would it be okay to take a few classes over again if they are offered as part of the curriculum for my nursing program? I think I can take microbiology again, but I would like to take AP I and II again and even biochem. I made C's in these and I know they are going to hurt me. If they aren't offered through my nursing program should I take them at a local undergrad or CC? Maybe even wait till I finish my RN. I am wondering how my low GPA will hurt me. Will a good nursing school and BSN GPA have more impact than my undergad GPA?

I would retake the micro, A&P, and if you have a C in Chem, that also. Many programs specifically look at a 'science GPA'. Also the goal is to complete a program, not to be accepted into a program. You need a solid undergrad science background to prepare you for grad science courses, and with C's you are at high risk of washing out of a nurse anesthesia program during the initial didactic portion. That is not a good thing, better to spend the time now to be well prepared than to try to get back into a program after failing.