Published Jun 7, 2009
pogiboy67
10 Posts
So i work as an oncology nurse in the bay area of CA and plan on going to icu soon. ive read that schools for with crna programs take 3.0 above gpas... are my hopes done for trying to become a crna?
jls189
167 Posts
I don't think you hopes are shot. You may have to work harder than someone else. Get to the ICU as soon as you can, and get your CCRN cert. (after you have enough hours in ICU). Also think about taking some graduate level science courses. That is what I am doing. I had a 2.49 from my BSN. I cared more about hanging out with friends than studying. Now, I have taken a two grad level science courses and have a 4.0. Right now I am taking Adv. Patho through UMASS (online). Also, do very well on your GRE. I've been a nurse for 13 years....5 in ICU/CVICU/CCU. I havn't appleid yet, but I am not worried. The interview counts, also. Just have confidence and work really hard, and you'll get in. I know people who have had under a 3.0 and gotten in and people who have a 3.6/3.7 and not been accepted. They look at the whole package.
LadyEJ BSN, RN
222 Posts
jls189...thank you so much for that info. I am 1 semester away from graduating with with BSN and as I reflect...I goofed off way to much. Now its time for me to pick up the slack big time :imbar
You are welcome!!!
jenrn2008
226 Posts
ANxious student- i know this sounds ODD but I suggest u don't graduate right now... even though u have finished all of ur requirements for the BSN, I suggest that u stay in school and take "easy classes" until u get ur GPA uo to 3.0. I would graduate without a 3.0 if I am still in school.... (remember when u graduate your records are final and there is nothing u can do to change them, but now that u are still in school u can postpone ur graduation and take classes to get ur GPA up.... if I could do it again, that's what I would do!!
Sorry! have to disagree with you on that. Graduate level classes are always available. And if this person waits then they can't start working as a nurse and get the needed experience.
Idaho Murse
114 Posts
Gotta give this the big thumbs down:down: Once you graduate you can always retake a course if need be to have that grade replaced. And like the previous poster said graduate classes carry a lot of weight with them as well. Most programs look at trends. So if you started out bad, and then they see that as you got further into your education you were able to get mostly A's that is a lot better than starting good and declining as you went along. And as stated above most places will look at the whole package you bring, your grades, experience, interview.
I totally agree with you. Not graduating is the dumbest thing I have heard in a long time.
Ok I hear u guys and I understand ur points of view.... it depends on a few factors though. What GPA is she graduating with? If she is graduating with a 2.4 and has NOT done progressively better then YES I suggest she stay and try to get her grades up; if she is gradutaing with a 2.9 and got bad grades in the beginning but did better later then ok, i understand taking grad courses to show them ur potential. but remember u will always be proving yourself and hoping that school make exceptions and consider ur new classes. if u have anything less than 2.7, then i suggest u wait and take one or two more classes to get ur GPA up because you will always be at a disadvantage...
ALso, once u graduate your gpa does NOT change even if u retake the course.... now the school that u are applying to make manually replace ur grade with the new grade OR take the average of the two but that does NOT PHYSCIALLY CHANGE UR ORIGINAL GPA.
I got a Master in administration in 2002 with a gpa of 3.47.... up until this very day i wish i stayed in school and took one more class so that i can have a 3.5! Now of course, i have a type A personality so i see things differently. I just woouldn't want to take chances or be at a disadvantage.
the other postes have made good points too... so look at all ur options and make a decision thats best for u.
ok well i have a 3.6 cummulative BSN GPA.... so i am not in her situation. PERIOD. if u havea better idea please share... bashing someone's opinion is not going to help her.... if you have a suggestion lets hear it! I stated my suggestion and it was disliked.... OK...NOW WHAT'S YOURS????
Whoa...I never mentioned my GPA...and while it is not a 4.0 it is definitely not below a 3.0. I will graduate with a cumulative GPA of around 3.2. And I'm definitely not going to postpone graduation.
I'm not even sure how I became the focus of this discussion :icon_roll. I simply thanked a poster for their helpful info. Go figure.