Lowest GPA for CRNA

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Specializes in CRNA.

I know that a 3.0 GPA is a requirement for most CRNA schools and that some look at the last 60 hours. My question is; are there any current SRNA's that were admitted with a lower than 3.0 GPA.

My history, present, and future.

Started off with a horrible GPA from my first time through college with a 2.25 (withdrew after 2 1/2 years). This was right after high school.

Obtained my EMT-B and EMT-P through a tech school so no GPA, but maintained above an 80.

Started school for nursing. I currently have only 1 C, rest are A's and B's, since I started back in 2013. Gap between withdrawing from college and restarting college is 8 1/2 years.

Science GPA is 3.64. I have a C in College Algebra from my first time through school, a C in American Fed Gov, and a C in Comp II. Everything else for my ASN and BSN are A's or B's.

Current GPA is 2.80.

Currently working on my BSN and will be done after Fall 2017. I have 3 classes (9 hrs) of coreqs and then 27 hrs of BSN nursing classes left.

Starting MSICU next month after 9 months is Step Down ICU.

Plan to apply for 2018 or 2019 admission.

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If you are an ASN nurse, use your BSN program to boost your overall GPA. Also, you can shine in ways beyond GPA. Shadowing, being a charge nurse, interviewing well, etc. Not all anesthesia programs have the 3.0 requirement, but most do. I think you could get in if you polished your resume. I have a 3.2 and am also a bit worried but people with lower grades have got in. IndiCRNA on this site got in with a 3.0. He had lots of ICU exp. though. Same with a coworker of mine, 3.0.

You may need to take a few graduate level courses to prove you can excel. Your high science GPA also falls in your favor.

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Get A's in your BSN because some programs place more emphasis on your last 60 GPA. I have a buddy who got in with a 2.9, but he was on a lot of committees at work, had CCRN/CMC, helped establish our rapid response team, and interviewed well. His GPA from 10 years ago obviously wasn't a reflection of who he is today. You can also start to work on an MSN and start out with pharm/pathophys in order to show that you can perform at the graduate level. It won't be counted towards program credit, but a program director specifically told me that it looks good for applicants who have lower GPAs.

I'm in the process of applying, and I'm sure I'll get in somewhere.

We now have 115 CRNA programs open. How many ICU nurses who want to become CRNAs exist? How many schools churn out 50+ grads a year? or even 100+ grads/year The COA website gives you a qualified applicant to accepted student ratio for each program. I sometimes wonder what the real percentage of accepted students is when you factor in students who accept but later decline in order to attend a different program (the program then goes on to offer that slot to a different applicant) since people apply to multiple programs at once in order to cast a wide net.

Programs have to fill those all of their seats in order to stay open and make that almighty dollar. I also sometimes wonder what percentage of total applicants get into a program somewhere since gaining acceptance seems to be analogous to a game of musical chairs. I'm guessing 65% + or - 5%.

The bottom line is you can do it.

Read a lot of the threads here. Most are people who have gotten accepted. Rarely do you see a thread with some one who posts "I've applied multiple times, but still haven't gotten in."

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Specializes in Crna.

You may be able to offset you gpa if your most recent grades are good, and you have an outstanding/good GRE score. you could also take some graduate level courses to help bolster your case.

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I can't speak for all programs but it seems like in my area the most important thing is your interview. I am applying this year and my GPA from 8 years,ago is a 3.1 but I have 3 years experience in all ICU'S and a ton of certs....so I'm not that worried.

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Specializes in ICU/CCU.

I believe GPA is important. However, as long as you meet the requirements, your experience (Level 1 trauma/teaching hospital...) + interview + cert + volunteer + ect. > GPA !

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buspar said:
(Level 1 trauma/teaching hospital...)

This is not a requirement. Many students get in without Level 1 trauma experience.

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Buspar was just pointing out that experience and certs can trump a lower GPA. Multiple nurses at my per diem gig at the VA have gotten into some competetive california CRNA programs and the VA takes zero trauma patients. It's really a whole picture thing. The interview also plays a big role.

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I have a 3.0 currently and expect to have a 3.2 by the end of my BSN. Like other people have said, some schools will only consider your last 60 hours (your nursing credits). I should have a 3.4 in my last sixty hours coming out of my BSN. I also have heard of people getting into NP programs with less than a 3.0. I have also heard of people getting in with 3.0's. I think it comes down to how hard you want it. If you are willing to apply to a lot of places your chances will increase greatly.

Good luck!

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Specializes in CRNA.

I figured up my GPA since starting back to school in 2013. I have roughly at 3.5 GPA and my overall science GPA is a 3.64 (that is including my current grade in Physiology). I hope they don't just look at my overall and think I'm not worthy. I'm not the same person now as I was when I was a 18-21 year old during my first time through college.

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I feel that GPA helps to get you an interview, but once you get that far they want to know if they would like working with you. Your GPA looks okay, especially your BSN. I would retake that algebra class that you got a C in when you are done with your BSN and working the floor. It will help boost your GPA plus anesthesia programs usually have a physics class geared towards delivery of anesthesia. You will definitely need to have a sound understanding of theses basic algebraic concepts to succeed through the physics portion. Also get your CCRN and start joining committees or organizations. Any little thing to separate yourself from the pack. Even volunteering helps.

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