How to Be Competitive for CRNA School?

How do I market myself to the Graduate school that I am capable of successfully completing and practicing safe administration of anesthesia medications? Nursing Students SRNA Article

How to Be Competitive for CRNA School?

I recently graduated from nursing school with a BSN-RN on 2018. I am fairly new RN with at least 8 -10 months of exp. I work in a large, teaching, level 1 academic center. My unit is CVICU -- where we see and care for advanced heart failure patients, post cardiac arrest pts, CABG pts, Valve repair and replacement surgeries, heart transplantation, lung removal surgeries. We also utilize SWANs, IABP, CRRT, ECMO, IMPELLA, VADs (mostly left and very rarely right lvad). Also, vasoactive, vasodilators, anti-arrythmics, insulin, and among other gtts. It is a pretty good unit to work in as a new RN who has an aspiration to go to CRNA school.

How do I market myself to the Graduate school that I am capable of successfully completing and practicing safe administration of anesthesia medications?

I went to two schools: college and university. My overall GPA is 2.9 combined (and I know that you need at least a 3.0). My community college GPA is 3.6 where it is mostly science, math, and pre-nursing courses. My university GPA is 2.3 ( combined with Nursing core classes and some other science/math courses and other random classes. I feel so embarrassed about my GPA and I am looking forward in increasing it. The past two years that I was in nursing school, which are also my last two years being in school have been nothing but hell, depression, and hardships --- it got to me and my grades have suffered. I need help.

I am planning to get my CCRN, GRE and do well with. Right now, my experience includes ICU RN, ACLS/BLS/NIHSS certified. I also volunteer for RED CROSS disaster program for about 6 months now. I also volunteer for a food pantry and home shelter program in my hometown. I am also scheduled to go to a two week missionary nursing trip to Ghana this coming September which is also one of my dream things to do with nursing.

Volunteer Experience?

Do you think my volunteer experience can be an additional factor to be weighed on in my application. Do you think it will help me?

I am planning to shadow a CRNA and to increase my GPA to show my serious intent in the near future.

Additional Classes?

I am planning to retake or take additional classes at an undergrad level.

Do you think this is a good idea? Also, will it matter if its in a community college or a university level.

Do you think an undergrad chemistry, bio, bio-chem, math will be enough? What classes do you recommend?

Graduate Course Level?

Do you think I need to take these at a graduate course level?

Additionally, I know some advanced nursing classes such as advanced Patho, Pharm, Assessment, Stats, Anatomy & Physiology, and etc are all in graduate level programs which needs an admission and acceptance which all require a 3.0 GPA at the minimum.

Apply For Certificate Program

Do you think it will be smart to apply for a certificate programs post - nursing like a short term course in nursing education or school nurse (which individually are all 12 hr credit course) and use the grades you get from them --- and apply to masters in nursing program that offers advanced nursing courses but to apply as a non-degree seeking student. what do you think?

I know that this post is lengthy. I apologize and thank you in advance for answering.

God bless!

1 Votes
Mr. JP

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, Burn ICU.

It sounds like you are in a GREAT ICU! I encourage you to continue being a diligent learner -- it takes years to make a good ICU nurse. Definitely get your CCRN and probably one of the AACN cardio certs too.

Are you young? If so, ENJOY the opportunity you have right in front of you. Your job, your mission trip, your volunteering -- this is all amazing stuff you can be very thankful for!

As for bringing up the GPA-- I think you should reach out to several CRNA programs you would realistically apply to and see what their suggestions are. The competition is tough. Hopefully some actual CRNAs and CRNA students will give you some more detailed feedback.

2 Votes
Specializes in CVICU.

Mr. JP,

I agree with WestCoastSunRN. It sounds like you are in an excellent ICU. I work in a similar CVICU regarding all the devices and transplant and it is my favorite ICU I have worked at (others: PICU/PedsCVICU, ED, and Level 1 Trauma SICU). I gained so much experience where I am now, and feel well prepared for CRNA school, to which I am applying. Work to gain proficiency and master each device and patient type, and place your focus on that now. Enjoy this time and focus on just absorbing all that you can, it will serve you well later when you are a CRNA.

Regarding you question for showing graduate programs that you can safely administer anesthesia, you won't be able to show that. That is what they will teach you in school and they will not be looking to see that you can already do that.

Regarding your GPA, you are going to need to do some work. I had a similar experience with having a low GPA prior to school, and then had to build it back up over years to get it to a competitive level. From my experience, GPA/GRE is what schools seem to hold at highest value when looking at an applicant. I know how frustrating this can be when you know you are a competent and proficient nurse who understands critical care well and takes care of highly acute patients. However, there is no other way to really exemplify this to schools than through your academic performance, which is ultimately what the school is about... academic performance. So just try to keep this in mind when you are looking to improve your standing as a candidate.

I'm not trying to come on too strong, but I feel like I was in your shoes years ago, and wish I had someone to tell me that so I could focus my efforts on improving my GPA.

That being said, I would recommend taking additional classes, or retaking some classes. Talk to the schools to which you are applying about retaking classes (if thats what you are thinking). Some schools require that you retake the same class at the same school, while other might replace a similar level class taken at a different school. If you can knock out a C or D that you received for a class and replace it with an A, this while help you more than adding on more classes. Both are helpful though and have their own merit.

I would say don't take any more community college level courses. While they are cheap and easy to skate by in, the schools will want to see that you can succeed in undergrad or graduate level curriculum, given your academic history (again, not trying to be harsh, but this is the feedback I have received). Those graduate level classes sound perfect, and I am taking some as well right now. Winona State University has some online graduate level patho 1 and 2 and pharmacology classes you might look into (to take these you apply as a graduate special student). Call them up, explain what you are looking to do, and they can guide you along. There are also classes through the University of New England that are online undergraduate classes in chem, bio, math, etc.

Here's what the school I am applying to recommends: "Courses that will help you with your anesthesia degree include Chemistry (organic or inorganic), biochemistry, physics, calculus, algebra, statistics or pharmacology." They are looking for a 3.1-3.3 or higher in math/science classes for you to look competitive.

Also, many schools require a Chemistry and/or statistics class, and some biology. Do your research on the school to take the class with the best bang for your buck.

I do not really know much about the certificate programs, but it doesn't sound like the right track to me.... But being that I don't know much about it, take my opinion on that with a grain of salt. Ask around a bit more for that.

As far as the other stuff goes, certifications, volunteer experience, etc., is all just icing on the cake. Even clinical experience seems to count less than academic performance (TO SOME SCHOOLS, again this is all my experience so far.). Everyone will have good experience, everyone will volunteer in some way, everyone has some leadership testimony, everyone has the certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, ENPC, CCRN, it all looks good but sometimes it is hard to highlight yourself.

You will have to take more classes, bottom line, but enjoy them! Learn from them! I have grown so much in the years I have been an ICU nurse, and looking back, I am glad that I had the time to take classes and gain experience to really prepare for school. Be patient with yourself is the other recommendation I would give you. Stay in the ICU you are in, its perfect for CRNA school, precept, do unit council, take classes, get your certs, shadow CRNA's a lot, build relationships with your MD/MDA/CRNA's and get your references in line, and just enjoy learning as much as possible!

Here's a good website for CRNA school prep:

https://www.all-CRNA-schools.com/

What are my Chances

Best of luck!

3 Votes

Hi there,

Here are some straight-forward answers to your questions.

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Do you think my volunteer exps can be an additional factor to be weighed on in my application. Do you think it will help me?

Answer: It depends on the school you are applying to. Some schools with religious affiliations may weight this more heavily than other schools, but I would not bank heavily on this for your acceptance. It adds nice "fluff" into your resume. If anything, I would go on your plan on find more opportunities in shadowing a CRNA on different levels of the perioperative continuum. (i.e. main OR, ambulatory surgery, pain management, etc. ) That would probably give you more bang for your buck..

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Do you think this is a good idea? Also, will it matter if its in a community college or a university level.

Answer: Yes. Your GPA needs some work. Some (not all) anesthesia schools only look at your last 60 credits.. So whatever classes you retake, make sure you get As.. I would contact a specific school that you are interested in, and would make a "meet-and-greet" appointment if possible or attend an information session so they may give you some counseling on your grades as well.

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Do you think an undergrad chemistry, bio, bio-chem, math will be enough? what classes do you recommend?

Answer: Yes. Most schools require undergrad O-chem, biochem, and physics classes as prerequisites for the program.

Quote

Do you think I need to take these at a graduate course level?

Answer: Not necessarily, unless you can find these classes and you're confident you can get As.

Quote

Do you it will be smart to apply for a certificate programs post- nursing like a short term course in nursing education or school nurse (which individually are all 12 hr credit course) and use the grades you get from them --- and apply to masters in nursing program that offers advanced nursing courses but to apply as a non-degree seeking student. what do you think?

Answer: No, those are all just a bunch of "fluff." Instead, I advice that you study and obtain your CCRN certification. This is practically an unofficial requirement. Everyone that applies to anesthesia school have this. Also, since you work on a cardiac unit, you can obtain sub-specialty certs such as CSC and CMC after you obtain your CCRN.

Lastly. My piece of advice (from someone who's gone through this before, and don't take this the wrong way). Having only 8-10 months of ICU experience is way too few to get you prepared for the rigors of anesthesia school. Granted, you may have at least one year by the time you apply (which I still think is inadequate). Instead, spend time in your learning and growing in your ICU.

Learn about the complexities of taking care your CVICU patients. Spend time in that ICU and absorb everything you can learn. Show them that you can be a leader to the point that you can be charge/preceptor. Be involved in projects that will better your unit. All in all, I'd say at the minimum, spend 3-4 years in your unit before you apply for anesthesia school. Trust, me you need to develop first clinically as an ICU nurse and have those essential skills that can help you be prepared, and be a good anesthesia provider in the long run.

1 Votes

Any application can have one hole in it and still get you into school, if the other areas are solid. Yours has at least 2 right now, both experience and academics. If you really want to not only get into school, but do well, please, please, please do not apply to CRNA school until you have 3-4 years of experience. The unit on which you currently works sounds just fine, so just keep doing it. Become a master at all things on your unit. This will serve your application well, and your career well long term.

As to the academics, you will likely have to show a school that you are capable of doing graduate level work in math, or biology, or chemistry, or statistics, or a comb of them. There is just no way around this. Your current GPA is low enough that a simple explanation of why will not be enough. Take a few grad level classes applicable to your career. And, if you do not do well, maybe, maybe look in a new and different direction, as it will certainly not be easier once you start school.

This might sound harsh, but before you quit your job, move, get new housing, tell all your friends your exciting news, spend thousands of dollars, etc, you need to have a sense of whether your goal is realistic. If it is not realistic, save yourself the hassle, cost, and heartbreak, and look for different life challenges.

2 Votes
Quote

Do you think my volunteer exps can be an additional factor to be weighed on in my application. Do you think it will help me?

Yes, while every applicants is very competitive. It's better to show the schools that you work extra hard.

Quote

Do you think this is a good idea? Also, will it matter if its in a community college or a university level.

University level looks better (for science classes)

Quote

Do you think an undergrad chemistry, bio, bio-chem, math will be enough? what classes do you recommend?

i think it's good enough if you have all A's.

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Do you think I need to take these at a graduate course level?

Take some advanced science classes (patho, pharm, physiology, ect..) to be more competitive.

Please understand that while you have done several things to strengthen your application, you are competing against many applicants who have done the same. This contributes to a very competitive field, so the more you can do to ‘rise to the top’, the better.

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