hello, I am open to any advice you have to give me- good or bad. I can accept it. I have been an RN, BSN for 3 years now. I worked for 2 1/2 years on a cardiac telemetry floor, and this past January I started working in the OR. I absolutely love the OR. I've got to see what exactly a CRNA does and have acquired quite an interest for it. I looked into CRNA schools- I know I need ICU experience, which I'm in the process of leaving the OR now and obtaining an ICU job preferably in a coronary care unit or cardiothoracic unit being I have the cardiac experience. My question is: my overall undergrad GPA is a 2.22. I struggled my first two years of undergrad because I actually had to teach myself the correct way to study the material. I did improve my gpa over the last two years of undergrad. Is my gpa too low to be considered for CRNA school? On the otherhand, my references can without a doubt support me-every employer has told me I am an asset to their organization. I'm hard working, I crave knowledge and always continue to learn more.
Do I have a good chance of getting into CRNA school even though my gpa is low? Can anyone give me a step in the right direction. I know I need ICU experience, I am ACLS and BLS certified, I do need PALS. Bottom line, is the interview with the anesthesia school key? Is sticking with a cardiac ICU a good choice due to the fact that I already have the cardiac background? What are some good ways for me to become more well-rounded? I've read on forums that it is really good to have an article published and belong to as many organizations as I can (e.g. ANA, CCRN etc) help me out, am I off to a good start so far?
I would recommend taking them at a community college. That's what a few people I know are doing. It will save you a ton of money. Also, for the GRE, yeah, you just got buy a book and pretty much start studying. There are Kaplan classes that you can take if you live close to a city, but they normally cost upward of a 1,000 dollars.
one quick question....I was told by one of the CRNA's I work with that a cheaper CRNA school is more competitive. Is that true? It seems to me that more expensive programs carry quite a reputation too so, aren't they competitive as well? I was searching cost of schools- what are yours running if you don't mind me asking? AND.....are they any hidden fees/costs I should also incorporate? how much extra do you take out for "cost of living"? My husband will be working too during my schooling.
Hey, as for your GPA, you can re-take some courses (while you get your unit experience) to boost your GPA. Also, do really well on the GRE/MAT and that may help too. Another idea is that you could take some additional science courses, to show you are really serious and it will look really good on your application.
I also worked 5 years in the OR prior to going to the CCU to get my experience. I think being comfortable in the OR environment is really important. I think that schools really like cardiac ICU experience because alot of what is asked in the clinical part of the interview is about vasopressors, swans, hemodynamics etc., which you will get plenty of experience with in a cardiac ICU, medical or surgical. I hope this helps.
Am I better to retake undergrad courses? Or should I start with graduate level courses (anatomy & physiology, pharmacology, pathophysiology etc.) to prove I can do the work? This is something I really want to do, but unfortunetly my undergrad gpa is not in my favor.
Maybe take a undergrad biochem or organic chem course. But most of the schools, at least the numerous ones I've talked to, would rather see you take a grad level class such as patho or pharm than retake an undergrad class. There are lots and lots of grad level courses you can take at different universities online without being a degree seeking student. You just have to do the research and talk to admissions. That's where the real pain is :)
iLovemyJackRT
150 Posts
I would recommend taking them at a community college. That's what a few people I know are doing. It will save you a ton of money. Also, for the GRE, yeah, you just got buy a book and pretty much start studying. There are Kaplan classes that you can take if you live close to a city, but they normally cost upward of a 1,000 dollars.