How are my chances?

random123 · Nov 7, 2019

What are you asking, exactly? Will your stats be enough to get into schools? They all have different requirements but I don't see why not. Obviously your GPA is low but you doubtlessly know that; I'm sure people have gotten in with similar/worse stats.

Shanneliz SRNA, DNP · Nov 7, 2019

I made a post a few months back about my story of being accepted. I have a lot of helpful tips on how to study for interviews, and even included the study guide I made for the clinical portion. My stats weren’t too notch either, terrible actually compared to some. How I stood out is appearing confident in my interviews. Showing that I prepared myself for it and making it clear on how bad I wanted it. And you’re correct on PALS not being required but it looks good to schools if you get it and don’t even need it for your hospital. Anyways, good luck!

SUNY UB CRNA 2020 jp · Nov 17, 2019

maybe join you unit committee or something along those lines. while I was interviewing I received a lot of "impressed eyebrows" when I spoke about my unit committee experience. GRE scores are great and the fact youre retaking some of those classes shows your commitment. having a practicing CRNA who you've shadowed goes a very long way also. half the battle is getting an interview, once youre at that point everyone is basically on a level playing field and then its all about youre preparation for the interview.

BigPappaCRNA · Nov 18, 2019

CRNA school is exponentially harder than anything you have done before, and the classes are exponentially harder than any you have yet taken. You need some objective self reflection. Why did you do so poorly in your your BSN and specifically those 2 classes? What has changed? What can you change? Lets be honest, "Chemistry for Nurses" is a very easy class. Physiology can be somewhat challenging, and you will essentially be taking physiology in some form for most of the program. I would take several Graduate level science classes before I ever applied to school. Not to help me get in, but to help me know whether or not my goal was a realistic one.

P.S. The rest of your stats, experience, and all sound great. That is a nice well rounded CV you are putting together. I think grades will be your only rate limiting factor.

ArmyRntoMD, BSN, RN · Nov 18, 2019

I don’t know about CRNA,but I did poorly in nursing (2.92 gpa) but I feel much of it was because in my diploma program much of the grades were subjective opinions of the instructors and a 94-100 grading scale.

My premed science gpa is a 3.88 and I have made an A in physics, chem, and organic chem.

Sometimes it’s just what you’re good at. I felt like a lot of nursing was bs. “What’s the best thing to tell a patient...”

I always felt like all of the responses were poor and sometimes I’d choose an answer and my instructor would say “yeah I can see what you mean. But the book says...”

In math and science you’re right or you’re wrong. Social science isn’t science at all.

HappyCCRN1, BSN · Nov 26, 2019

On 11/7/2019 at 12:16 AM, youngrn325 said:
Hey all. Just another prospective student browsing the forums. I've had CRNA dreams for a few years now and am just wondering if I stand a chance at getting in next Spring.
BSN GPA: 3.2
- LOTS of B's unfortunately but just 2 C's from my first semester (A&P 1 Lab & Intro to Chem for Nurses)
- 3.0 science GPA, but got an 'A' in post-grad Organic Chem I
- will be enrolled in Graduate Advanced Patho while applying
- 3+ years Neuro/Medical ICU experience; Charge RN (will have 4 years exp. by enrollment)
- GRE 315 (155Q/160V)
- CCRN, BLS, ACLS (don't have PALS yet but I don't believe that's required to apply?)
- letters of rec: from a former clinical instructor with whom I have a good relationship, my AOD on nights, and my CRNA friend who I even had the chance to shadow
Thoughts? FWIW, my BSN is from a pretty great nursing school namewise, and I think I have a pretty strong personal statement. I also tend to interview pretty well? Idk. Lay it on me!

The first battle will be getting an interview. I think it's great that you understand where your weakness is and that you are doing things to improve upon that by enrolling in a class. I'd say keep doing that--take as many classes as you reasonably can (and make A's). Great job taking the GRE--even if a school you're applying to does not require it, submit it anyway, it's a good score and will show you're trying everything you can to make up for your GPA. You're in a neuro ICU--I believe they have a specialty cert available? If so, get it. Are you involved in committees or volunteer? These things will help.

Not sure if you were exactly asking for all of that advice, but if this is what you want to do, you need to set your application apart from the others (everyone else is trying to do the same). Different schools have different requirements and all of the stats you provided are good and are probably good enough to get an interview somewhere if you cast your net very wide.

Maybe the name of your nursing school will help, but do not rely on that--it really depends on the particular program you're applying to. You might be competing with people who went to tiny no-name nursing schools but with >3.5 GPA's. Once you do get an interview, no doubt they will ask you about those C's and string of B's, so be prepared to explain.