Grad School

elkpark · Jan 20, 2016

It depends on where you want to go (how serious you are about your education). There are high quality programs that are very competitive, and, unfortunately, there are "diploma mill" type programs that will take anyone with a pulse and a checkbook. And everything in between.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 21, 2016

Moved to post-grad school forum

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2016

In general, a minimum 3.0 GPA is needed to secure admission into the less competitive graduate programs at regional state universities and obscure private colleges, although some schools will grant conditional acceptance to applicants with GPAs that fall below this threshold.

kungpaochick · Jan 26, 2016

Yes, bump. Ideally I want to start a graduate program at a highly competitive nursing school (Yale/Johns Hopkins/UPenn). But looking at their prerequisites, most programs at diff locations I am interested in require clinical experience (adult/gero acute care is what I am looking for or FNP)

after obtaining a BSN,what is more likely to happen: getting a job in critical care or getting into a competitive grad program in adult/gero? My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA.

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Jan 26, 2016

Yes, bump. Ideally I want to start a graduate program at a highly competitive nursing school (Yale/Johns Hopkins/UPenn). But looking at their prerequisites, most programs at diff locations I am interested in require clinical experience (adult/gero acute care is what I am looking for or FNP)
after obtaining a BSN,what is more likely to happen: getting a job in critical care or getting into a competitive grad program in adult/gero? My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA.

I'll start from the bottom. If you want to be a CRNA(I'm a little confused about the FNP angle?), you need critical care experience. The programs I've seen require at least 2 years. Get your BSN and some experience before you jump into the grad school pool. For all you know, you'll hate the profession. Those three school schools you mentioned are highly competitive and respected, but they come with a super steep price tag. If you are planning a direct entry program, disregard that part about BSNs.

You can get a critical care position as a new grad with a diploma, ADN, BSN, MSN....or not at all. It all depends on your job market, your connections, your marketability, and about 10 other factors.

OP, it really depends on the program. My undergrad GPA was 3.8 and I still didn't get accepted into every clinical track for my MSN. My guess is the FNP program filled fast because I am a prime candidate on paper. At least that's what I'm telling myself lol my ego can handle that.

msuRNcc, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN · Mar 24, 2016

If your goal is to become a CRNA, why are you trying for FNP? it seems like a waste of time, money and a spot for someone else who actually wants to be a NP. Regardless of this, look into what different schools require. All will have a simple FAQ or admission section that tells you all requirements, plus there are many sites that summarize the requirements of multiple programs. Regardless of whether you want to do NP or CRNA, you'll need ICU experience first. Not all NP programs require it, but if you want to do FNP/ACNP then I recommend it. It will give you a better idea of the job requirements, expectations, etc., and ICU is required for CRNA. Plus a lot of people start working in critical care and then decide they no longer want to work in the hospital setting. Plus it seems that you are a little unsure of what you want, and may not have any experience yet, I would get some experience first to help you decide. Programs will vary on requirements and competitiveness based on the track you want (FNP, Primary, ACNP, etc.).