HELP please! Your thoughts on applying?!

SIGMACHIGUY · Sep 1, 2008

I know I'm a newbie but wow, let's not overwhelm me with any responses or anything here guys and gals!!

Summitk2 · Sep 1, 2008

I think the best way to convince the anesthesia adcoms is by re-taking the most important of the sciences (bio, chem, o-chem, micro, A&P, etc.) with stellar grades. You need to demonstrate your claim that you're a different student now--you can't just sit in front of them and tell them that you've changed... you have to show it. Admittedly, you have a lot to overcome, especially since your degree was in biochem! And it doesn't seem to me that 2003 was really that long ago... It's not like these are ancient grades haunting you.

Unfortunately, GPA is a tough thing to change. Especially if you have lots of credits! You have to go out and take the classes over. I don't think there's any other way to change their opinion.

Congratulations on the 4.0 in your ADN. That's a great accomplishment and you should be proud. Now go back and fix the damage from the past.

MBCRNA · Sep 1, 2008

I think all but your gpa sounds absolutely great. The fact that you have made a 4.0 in ADN program proves that you are more serious and a better candidate. What is left to prove? You need to prove that you can pull off the sciences with a better grade. I agree you should retake General Chem I and II, Organic Chem I and II, and possibly physics I and II. I assume you took A&P with ADN and did good?? IF not retake it too. Get your GRE and score good on it. You have to work in ICU for atleast a year before you can apply. I think working in a trauma ICU is a good start...hehe that is what I did...learned a lot. The only work experience that is required is ICU experience. Working in a CVICU is also a good experience to add later. Retake those classes and you'll get in...I think.

ICUnursetoCRNA · Sep 2, 2008

Don't lose hope! You sound like a great candidate. In an interview, they will ask you about your grades 10 years ago. Tell them what you told us, and then you grew up, worked your tail off, and made a 4.0 in nursing school. That shows maturity, etc. I bombed (not exaggerating) my first year of college. Just apply to several schools, keep your options open, and you will find where you fit. Just don't give up. I started CRNA last week :)

P.S. Did you do your ADN in SD? I went to Palomar.

mikeyshox · Sep 2, 2008

you also need to go back for your BSN. it shouldn't be too hard since you probably filled up some prereqs from your prior degree at UCSD.

SIGMACHIGUY · Sep 3, 2008

Thanks a ton for all your feedback everyone!! I was thinking that I should probably re-take a couple of classes like o-chem since I didn't do so great. But I guess the real question I meant to ask was, do you think I can get into a nurse anesthesia program WITHOUT having to retake any classes or would that be nearly impossible?

I feel that I'd be a strong candidate with the exception of my GPA...do you think other areas (i.e. BS Biochemistry/Cell Biology, good volunteer experience, many shadowing experiences with CRNAs, very strong letters of recommendation from unit manager/VPs of pharmaceutical companies I used to work for/CRNA/anesthesiologist/MD/etc., strong GRE score, strong ICU experience, etc. etc. etc.) could overcome a poor GPA without having to retake any classes?

I just want to study anesthesia at this point and would definitley rather not have to focus on o-chem again and would much rather focus on gaining as much (strong) ICU experience as possible...what do ya think? :cool:

SIGMACHIGUY · Sep 3, 2008

ICUnursetoCRNA: Nope, I moved back to LA and did my ADN at Moorpark College. CONGRATULATIONS on starting anesthesia!! Where are you going if you don't mind me asking?

mikeyshox: I'm not planning on getting my BSN...unless I'm completely wrong, there are many programs that will accept a baccalaureate degree in the sciences which I have. At least that's what the schools said a year or two ago when I had called them so I'm planning on hopefully getting into a program with my BS in biochem...ADN programs might be at community colleges but I worked 100x harder than I thought I would've had to...definitely NOT cake walk at all. I had to bust my butt to pull of that 4.0! :cool:

mikeyshox · Sep 3, 2008

all the programs i looked for required a BSN.

you might need to recheck the programs you're looking at so you can plan accordingly if you need to.

Happy Halothane · Sep 3, 2008

I was kind of in the same boat. Finished a pre-med undergrad, but with a less than stellar GPA. Went back for my ADN 5 years later.

If you can, find a program that accepts your BS, so you can avoid the BSN route. Another alternative, you'd be much better off proving your academic determination by pursuing graduate-level education.

Here's a suggested track for you in the next couple years:

1) If you have some healthcare experience, try and get into an ICU or ER. Otherwise, find a decent step-down ICU/tele floor. Get your basic nursing skills down, then pursue a true critical care position (SICU, CVICU) at a facility that provides trauma/neurosurgery/open heart. Most institutions won't let a new RN walk into those positions without previous experience. Ask around, and see if the position offers a "critical care internship".

2) You really need to be a strong ICU nurse. Without that foundation and "nursing sense", anesthesia education will be impossible.

3) Like you mentioned, re-take your organic/biochem courses. Start your Graduate level education if possible.

4) Do really well on your GRE. It's basically just the SAT (high school math and vocab), with an analytic section that few understand the scoring of (so they pay little attention to) Most nation-wide graduate programs (all disciplines) require a 1000+

5) Get your CCRN. Its an extra-step that most applicants are just "studying for".

6) Shadow a couple CRNA's, and write a paper on your experience of it.

You need to find out for sure if this is what you want to do. Until you get into nursing, and find out if you really like it or not...its tough to make know for sure. Anesthesia is highly specialized. In order to pursue it, you need be extremely competent in handling all aspects of nursing care.

Good luck. Keep focused!

tonyccrn · Sep 3, 2008

Sig,

if you have to go back for your BSN, some schools look at your last 60 credit hours. so seeing as you did very well in your ADN, when you go back for your BSN, nail that and between the two your last 60 credit hours should be good. now not all schools do this, some do so htat may be an option as well.

tony.

Summitk2 · Sep 3, 2008

do you think I can get into a nurse anesthesia program WITHOUT having to retake any classes or would that be nearly impossible?

I feel that I'd be a strong candidate with the exception of my GPA...do you think other areas (i.e. BS Biochemistry/Cell Biology, good volunteer experience, many shadowing experiences with CRNAs, very strong letters of recommendation from unit manager/VPs of pharmaceutical companies I used to work for/CRNA/anesthesiologist/MD/etc., strong GRE score, strong ICU experience, etc. etc. etc.) could overcome a poor GPA without having to retake any classes?
I just want to study anesthesia at this point and would definitley rather not have to focus on o-chem again and would much rather focus on gaining as much (strong) ICU experience as possible...what do ya think?

No, I don't think you'll get in without taking at least some of these classes. Having a 2.4 science GPA is a huge drag, especially since your major was biochem. You're going to have to walk the walk.

My understanding is that studying anesthesia is synonomous with studying o-chem. Think about the compounds you're going to be working with and the cellular chemistry! If chemistry was THAT bad for you, you might consider another field. You're going to have to make it through anesthesia school, which means facing the music and taking o-chem head on (in considering each of pharm, patho, physiology, physics, etc). I suggest doing this before getting too far down your path.

No doubt, you need the strong ICU experience. Everyone who gets in will have it. But I think you, specifically, need to deal with your science GPA before you'll get in. :twocents: