How is my plan?

jake48 · Jan 15, 2012

Hi guys,
I have a long plan to get to CRNA. First, my undergraduate stats: GPA 3.7 ( PSYCHOLOGY) 3.5( BIOLOGY 1 & 2, A&P, CHEMISTRY 1 & 2, ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 1 & 2), 2.8 (NURSING GPA, school I am going to is garbage nursing school and classmates are the worst people, arrogant, they like it when people fail ). I want to go to UAB for FNP and then take my GRE, then apply to CRNA at UAB.
Do you thing that its a good plan and do you guys think I have a shot of getting into CRNA?
Thanks

Why are you bothering yourself with the FNP? I would just focus on the CRNA program if that is what you would like to do. You could take some graduate nursing classes at another school while declaring yourself a nondegree graduate (a lot of schools will let you take couple of graduate nursing classes without being in graduate nursing school). Graduate classes will show you can perform at that level (if you do well). Your science GPA is good and this will help you. Yea, that nursing GPA is lower than programs would like, but CRNA programs look at more than just your GPA. Take the GRE and do really well, great experience, CCRN, great recommendation letters, good shadow experience, and a great interview. This all worked for me.

zoidberg, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2012

kudos for the good gen chem and organic grades. that speaks volumes more than your bsn gpa to a crna program.

ll124 · Jan 15, 2012

Thanks jake48,

How does one go about getting shadow experience? Do you just call a random CRNA and ask if you could follow them?

What's your day like as a CRNA student? How are the students in your class and the professors? Do they really teach or is it like the nursing program that I am going to where you have to teach yourself?

ll124 · Jan 15, 2012

Thanks benm93,

I took those classes a 2-3 semesters ago. Are you in CRNA program?

PMFB-RN, RN · Jan 16, 2012

Thanks jake48,
How does one go about getting shadow experience? Do you just call a random CRNA and ask if you could follow them?

*** When you work in an ICU you will get to know several CRNAs. It should be easy to ask one to allow a shadow experience in your own faciliety.

zoidberg, BSN, RN · Jan 16, 2012

i am not, but im doing an accelerated bsn with the intent to be a crna (dont tell! haha) i did a biology undergrad and the school's organic professors were notorious for being unnecessarily difficult, so i admire anyone who can keep a's and b's in organic.

but from my research, and though it varies by school, they will respect and value your more rigorous science courses, especially chem/orgo/etc since the more advanced courses in a crna program will be related/based of off those principles.