My take: depends a LOT on which CRNA program you're aiming for. Yeah, your overall GPA's going to be a bit low, but you also have solid professional chops to offset that. My experience is that commitees will usually work with you on GPA issues - you may have to retake biochem for example. IMO the big issue is going to be your competition. In a top-tier school, it's going to be a tough sell. Lower tier, not so much. And...timing. If you're applying with a bunch of overachievers, you'll get aced out. Middle of the road applicants - you're in.
End of the day - apply to several schools & see who bites. You just may be pleasantly surprised!
Not trying to be a jerk, but looking at your professional titles, you're not a CRNA, so how would you have any clue about what it takes to get into school?
Unfortunately, I've observed that "solid professional chops" don't mean as much as I thought they did when I was applying. Everyone has their CCRN and were great nurses on the unit, but that experience only gets you past the first mile in the marathon of CRNA school. It's the non-stop studying coupled with long clinical hours that grinds people down. Studying for 10 hours straight and being beat down at clinical for 40 - 60 hours a week takes a toll after a while.
Everyone is an overachiever in CRNA school, there are no "middle of the road applicants".
I have one year of progressive care experience and 3 years of ICU experience (2 years MICU, 1 year STICU). My STICU experience is at a Level 1 Trauma Center. I will be starting a new job at a Level 1 CTICU and will have 2 years of CTICU by the start of the program. I wanted to obtain a broad range of experience.
I have my CCRN and CMC certifications as well as my TCRN with plans to obtain my CSC once I start in CTICU. 16hrs of CRNA shadowing completed thus far. I had hoped to do much more but COVID had other plans! ? I am also a member of my unit's Safety Committee.
I graduated my BSN with a 3.56 GPA. I am took Chem 1+lab (A), Pharm (A) which increased my GPA to 3.58 and will be taking Chem 2 and O Chem in the coming months. I also have plans to take a graduate level Pharm and/or Pathophys course. Hoping to increase my GPA even further in the process!
This coming Summer will be my first round of applications. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
murseman24, MSN, CRNA
316 Posts
Not trying to be a jerk, but looking at your professional titles, you're not a CRNA, so how would you have any clue about what it takes to get into school?
Unfortunately, I've observed that "solid professional chops" don't mean as much as I thought they did when I was applying. Everyone has their CCRN and were great nurses on the unit, but that experience only gets you past the first mile in the marathon of CRNA school. It's the non-stop studying coupled with long clinical hours that grinds people down. Studying for 10 hours straight and being beat down at clinical for 40 - 60 hours a week takes a toll after a while.
Everyone is an overachiever in CRNA school, there are no "middle of the road applicants".