How to improve my chances of getting in?

ptier_MNMurse, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2019

CRNA schools heavily value the academic history portion of your application. There are plenty of posts on this site talking about issues concerning previous academic performance and difficulties being accepted into CRNA school. It sounds like the last bit of your academic history has been going well, but the 3.0 gpa in your BSN is below average, and the dismissal from your MSN, I would imagine, will raise quite a few questions. They DO look at ALL of your previous academic history. Additionally, moving straight out of the FNP to the CRNA track will probably raise some questions as well. Because of how rigorous the programs are, they want to see your dedication to the profession and that you know what you are getting into prior to accepting you.

Have you shadowed? How do you know this is the right track for you? Why the sudden shift in career aspirations? I think these would be questions you would be asked and have to be accountable to in order to prove your resolve in pursuing this profession. They wouldn't want you to get to your second year and realize that CRNA is also not for you...

Also, if you are seriously looking at CRNA, then also prioritize your ICU experience. They prefer current ICU experience in larger ICU's with high acuity. Most accepted applicants have 3-5 years experience in ICU prior to admission.

Math/Science gpa is another larger determinant, so I would recommend looking over yours and fine tuning (retaking classes if necessary; anything less than an A needs revision).

Look at the schools you would apply to, they have their program requirements posted on their webpage. Also know that their minimum requirements are generally below the averages of the accepted applicants.

Good Luck!

Shanneliz SRNA, DNP · Nov 20, 2019

I have about 1.5 years of ICU experience and my BSN gpa is a 3.2! I also didn’t do well on my GRE Qualitative 143 Quantitative 147. However, I have other factors that helped my chances, CCRN TCRN TNCC, stuff like that. I made a post a few months back on what I did, I’m not sure if you’ve read it. But maybe it’ll give you some hope! Good luck!

Chimera123, BSN · Nov 20, 2019

1 hour ago, ptier_MNMurse said:
CRNA schools heavily value the academic history portion of your application. There are plenty of posts on this site talking about issues concerning previous academic performance and difficulties being accepted into CRNA school. It sounds like the last bit of your academic history has been going well, but the 3.0 gpa in your BSN is below average, and the dismissal from your MSN, I would imagine, will raise quite a few questions. They DO look at ALL of your previous academic history. Additionally, moving straight out of the FNP to the CRNA track will probably raise some questions as well. Because of how rigorous the programs are, they want to see your dedication to the profession and that you know what you are getting into prior to accepting you.
Have you shadowed? How do you know this is the right track for you? Why the sudden shift in career aspirations? I think these would be questions you would be asked and have to be accountable to in order to prove your resolve in pursuing this profession. They wouldn't want you to get to your second year and realize that CRNA is also not for you...
Also, if you are seriously looking at CRNA, then also prioritize your ICU experience. They prefer current ICU experience in larger ICU's with high acuity. Most accepted applicants have 3-5 years experience in ICU prior to admission.
Math/Science gpa is another larger determinant, so I would recommend looking over yours and fine tuning (retaking classes if necessary; anything less than an A needs revision).
Look at the schools you would apply to, they have their program requirements posted on their webpage. Also know that their minimum requirements are generally below the averages of the accepted applicants.
Good Luck!

Thank you for your response! I have shadowed CRNAs. My aunt is an anesthesiologist and my cousin is a CRNA have been shadowing them. to become a crna has been my longtime dream. I thought Becoming one is impossible for me so i took the fnp route. I tried my hardest to love the practice but i still yearn of becoming a crna. I lost focus and left school. Then I took a 6mos break and gave FNP a second chance. I work In trauma icu at a level 1 trauma center & teaching hospital and thinking of getting a part time job at another institution to learn and provide ecmo. I am also open in re-doing my bsn classes. I am a foreign grad, took my bsn during my husband’s deployment and had my classes evaluated, hence, the low grade (when im supposed to be 0.1 away from getting my cum laude from my school). Is there any way that i can improve my bsn grade by re-taking classes? Thanks again for the help!

Chimera123, BSN · Nov 20, 2019

1 hour ago, shanneliz123 said:
I have about 1.5 years of ICU experience and my BSN gpa is a 3.2! I also didn’t do well on my GRE Qualitative 143 Quantitative 147. However, I have other factors that helped my chances, CCRN TCRN TNCC, stuff like that. I made a post a few months back on what I did, I’m not sure if you’ve read it. But maybe it’ll give you some hope! Good luck!

Thank you for this!!!! I know My gre will help me as well so i plan on studying and taking it early to get my desired grades even if i have to retake it over again. I also plan on studying For several certifications and going to seminars and medical missions and icu/ecmo/critical care symposiums to learn more if i have to and of course, to offer free services to the less fortunate (in summary, for my mental health). I know it’s going to be a long and winding road, but I am willing to persevere no matter how long and hard it will take me. I am starting to have a knack for going through costly, time-consuming and difficult processes for not thinking things thoroughly and smartly but it is what it is. Lol!

ptier_MNMurse, BSN, RN · Nov 20, 2019

1 hour ago, Chimera123 said:
Thank you for your response! I have shadowed CRNAs. My aunt is an anesthesiologist and my cousin is a CRNA have been shadowing them. to become a crna has been my longtime dream. I thought Becoming one is impossible for me so i took the fnp route. I tried my hardest to love the practice but i still yearn of becoming a crna. I lost focus and left school. Then I took a 6mos break and gave FNP a second chance. I work In trauma icu at a level 1 trauma center & teaching hospital and thinking of getting a part time job at another institution to learn and provide ecmo. I am also open in re-doing my bsn classes. I am a foreign grad, took my bsn during my husband’s deployment and had my classes evaluated, hence, the low grade (when im supposed to be 0.1 away from getting my cum laude from my school). Is there any way that i can improve my bsn grade by re-taking classes? Thanks again for the help!

Got it! Well, it does sounds like you know what you are getting into! I do think they may still have some questions on why you didn't just choose CRNA in the first place, but it sounds like you have an answer for that. I feel for you though, I have a somewhat similar experience with recovering from a previously low gpa, and know how difficult that can be. The struggle is real. haha.

I would say tally up your cumulative and math/science gpa and see if it needs any improvement. They do look at the whole academic picture, include all of the classes that you took in your first MSN as well. Most schools generally do not use nursing classes for the math/science gpa unless they are specifically labeled as "pharmacology" or pathophysiology" etc. Your FNP courses should definitely be helpful in proving you can succeed in graduate level science courses, so that will be nice, just make sure you get all A's.

Your experience sounds perfect! ECMO would be a nice addition for sure, but they like to see your surgical background (SICU/CVICU), so make sure you keep growing in that so you can talk about it in your interview (ECMO is not entirely necessary for this).

Shanneliz123 is right in that this is definitely still possible, but it might take some extra work! Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Maybe reach out to the school and see if they have any further advice for you! Also, keep applying if you don't get in right away, it shows you want it!

Here are a couple other websites you might find helpful!

https://www.coacrna.org/accredited-programs/Pages/CRNA-School-Search.aspx

https://www.all-crna-schools.com/what-are-my-chances/

https://www.all-crna-schools.com/schools-by-state/

Chimera123, BSN · Nov 24, 2019

On 11/20/2019 at 2:37 PM, ptier_MNMurse said:
Got it! Well, it does sounds like you know what you are getting into! I do think they may still have some questions on why you didn't just choose CRNA in the first place, but it sounds like you have an answer for that. I feel for you though, I have a somewhat similar experience with recovering from a previously low gpa, and know how difficult that can be. The struggle is real. haha.
I would say tally up your cumulative and math/science gpa and see if it needs any improvement. They do look at the whole academic picture, include all of the classes that you took in your first MSN as well. Most schools generally do not use nursing classes for the math/science gpa unless they are specifically labeled as "pharmacology" or pathophysiology" etc. Your FNP courses should definitely be helpful in proving you can succeed in graduate level science courses, so that will be nice, just make sure you get all A's.
Your experience sounds perfect! ECMO would be a nice addition for sure, but they like to see your surgical background (SICU/CVICU), so make sure you keep growing in that so you can talk about it in your interview (ECMO is not entirely necessary for this).
Shanneliz123 is right in that this is definitely still possible, but it might take some extra work! Sounds like you are doing all the right things. Maybe reach out to the school and see if they have any further advice for you! Also, keep applying if you don't get in right away, it shows you want it!
Here are a couple other websites you might find helpful!
https://www.coacrna.org/accredited-programs/Pages/CRNA-School-Search.aspx
https://www.all-crna-schools.com/what-are-my-chances/
https://www.all-crna-schools.com/schools-by-state/

Thank you for the links! I have no idea how to resolve my bsn gpa other than taking undergrad classes to increase my gpa. But I'm a foreign grad so I'm not sure if re-taking these classes in my community college or uni will help bring my gpa up. I guess i will have to make a couple of phone calls to find out. thanks again for the help!