I'm a newbie to this forum/board and I've already seen all the posts for feedback regarding CRNA school admission. But since I'm new here, I was wondering if I could get some feedback from *YOU* regarding your thoughts and suggestions on strengthening my anesthesia application. So I'll keep it short and simple:
I graduated from the University of California, San Diego in 2003 with a BS in biochemistry/cell biology with a horrendous GPA of 2.61. My science GPA was lower at an ugly 2.40. Needless to say, I was way too mentally immature for my age at the time and didn't take school seriously (didn't attend all classes nor study anywhere near as much as I needed to). I've learned so much after working for 4 years and I'm a COMPLETELY different student now as I take academics super seriously after having realized how important a career you love is while I was working in pharmaceutical research for 4 years. After the 4 years of work, I started an ADN nursing program in which I just finished at a community college (studying for the NCLEX as we speak...taking it Sept 2!!). I completed the entire nursing program as well as a class in pathophysiology and a class in statistics with a 4.0 GPA which was definitely not a cake walk...nursing school was much more challenging than I had anticipated!
I have good volunteer experience as well as extremely strong reference letters from professors as well as past VPs of companies I used to work for and I feel very strongly that I can score well on the GRE. I plan on enrolling into a trauma center ICU stat and want to get experience as a ICU nurse. My passion has ALWAYS been anesthesia ever since high school but I never had the direction or genuine drive until after undergrad, hence my HORRENDOUS GPA.
I feel like my application would be strong with the exception of the ever-so-important GPA. Any thoughts or suggestions for me? I've read that some do full-time ICU nursing and OR nursing or conscious sedation PRN, etc. Also, with a horrendous GPA, am I going to find it nearly impossible to get into a CRNA program given that my GPA is my only weak area? That was such a long time ago (10 yrs) and I know that I am a COMPLETELY different student now...problem is conveying that to the admissions committee at CRNA programs.
Any thoughts, suggestions, advice, etc. would be ever so sincerely and GREATLY appreciated!!! Thanks in advance everyone!!!
Correct me if I am wrong, but when you graduate from anesthesia school, you get an MSN, so don't you need a bachelors in nursing first to obtain a masters in nursing?
Also, I agree with everyone who said retake the classes. It doesn't matter what any of us think here, what matters is the people who are looking at your application. We may think you will get in, but there is no way of knowing. While you are getting your ICU experience, you could be retaking those classes.
You definitely need to be good at chemistry including organic because there is a fair amount of chemistry involved with anethesia. Good luck!!
Correct me if I am wrong, but when you graduate from anesthesia school, you get an MSN, so don't you need a bachelors in nursing first to obtain a masters in nursing?
About half of nurse anesthesia programs are nursing programs, and about half are not. You don't need a BSN for those, and some of the MSN programs will have you take a nursing theory course, or whatever they decide, and will accept non BSN applicants.
As for the application, need to retake Chem, and Phys would be good to retake if you didn't get an A in undergrad. You may be a different student now, but you missed content that you'll need if you were doing C work. It's not just getting into a program, it's finishing it. Otherwise you're out of the program with a good chunk of student loan debt.
What is your cumulative GPA? You never mentioned. Most schools require a 3.0 to even apply. You obviously did well in NS, but I think your BS is going to hurt you. It's easier to explain poor grades if they're from 20 years ago when you were pursuing art history than when they're directly related to what you will be studying. I don't know that you need to retake ALL your science classes, but I'm not sure that you'll get in with what you have. You may, and you can always apply, but I wouldn't count on it. Considering that you don't have a BSN and don't want one, you're asking adcoms to consider you on the strength of the BS you do have - and the poor GPA that comes with it. Whatever hospital you work at will probably have some type of education benefit. After your first 6 months or so, sign up for a class or two - the hospital will most likely pay for it. You may want to ask someone at a few schools you're considering what they would recommend, whether it's retaking O-Chem, working on a BSN, or taking a grad level class or two to prove you're ready for the work. Whatever you take, you need As - you've only proven that you can do associate's degree work (I know nursing courses are similar difficulty everywhere, BUT...) at the A level, and you're applying to grad school.
Some CRNA programs are more forgiving than others with low undergraduate grades, ask around by calling the schools directly.
You can take graduate level science courses and show that you are able to compete. This will help.
Take the CCRN (and pass) when you are qualified with ICU experience. This looks good on your application too.
I have been there myself with a low GPA. Unfortunately, bad grades follows you around FOREVER. Yet do not get discouraged. I have stuck it out, you can too.
Things are looking hopeful for admission this fall.
If you can, move to where the school is located and work at that hospital. Schools might be inclined to chose from their own staff. It seems to work this way at Rush in Chicago. (The nurses there work VERY hard so I am not saying that they are given anything.) The instuctors have the benefit of seeing them in action.
Keep moving ahead. Do not let anyone discourage you.
Thanks a million for all your responses everyone!! It's such a great feeling to be able to identify with others that were or are in the same boat as you!
I'll definitely have to start calling some CRNA programs in the next few months to determine what exactly they weigh more and to see if I can get some feedback regarding my horrendous GPA and what their adcom thinks I should do to strengthen myself. I have no doubt in my mind about being a CRNA, that is the main reason I went into nursing in the first place. And even though I'd much rather not have to retake any more classes such as o-chem, I suppose I will if it really comes down to proving myself on the graduate course level which I would totally understand from an adcom's perspective. My overall GPA for undergrad is 2.62 and my science GPA was a detestable 2.40. I know that CRNA programs require at least a 3.0 and according my my prior calculations, with my 4.0 over a 2.5 year span during my ADN program...I believe that my overall combined GPA from both undergrad colleges is right around 3.2.
Well, the journey continues I suppose...thanks again for all of your positive words and support everyone!!!
zozzy777
104 Posts
Correct me if I am wrong, but when you graduate from anesthesia school, you get an MSN, so don't you need a bachelors in nursing first to obtain a masters in nursing?
Also, I agree with everyone who said retake the classes. It doesn't matter what any of us think here, what matters is the people who are looking at your application. We may think you will get in, but there is no way of knowing. While you are getting your ICU experience, you could be retaking those classes.
You definitely need to be good at chemistry including organic because there is a fair amount of chemistry involved with anethesia. Good luck!!