New grad ICU RN - advice about CRNA ?

DFW_RN · Mar 29, 2014

There is a lot of false information on this thread about what it takes to be accepted into CRNA school. When I applied to four different programs, I had 10 months of ICU and nursing experience at a 180 bed community hospital. My GRE score was only a 295. I graduated with a 3.81 gpa, worked as a monitor tech for 3 years during nursing school, and got my CCRN about a month before my first CRNA school interview. Of the four schools I applied to, I was offered four interviews. I was accepted into two programs and waitlisted at one.

In my opinion, this is the order of what most schools are looking for. 1) GPA 2) How well your interview goes 3) CCRN or not 4) Your ICU experience 4) shadow experience 5) your GRE

Hope this helps you and best of luck.

nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP · Mar 31, 2014

Here's my take on it...

I was just accepted to Western Carolina University two weeks ago to start in January 2015.

1. GPA: If you're between a 3.4 and a 3.7 cumulative, you're fine. You don't need a 4.0 (I had a 3.72 cum). Most of my friends who got into school were around the 3.5 range and got in just fine.

2. GRE: I advise you to take it. It opens up more doors for you. Take it when you feel you are freshest. Definitely get a good review book like the Kaplan book. It has 5-6 practice tests in it. Some of the material I hadn't seen since junior high (geometry?). If you've taken Math classes recently it will help, but definitely at least do a couple practice tests and see where your projected scores are. I reviewed for about a month and got a 311 combined quantitative and verbal, and a 4.5 on the analytical writing. Check the schools that you are thinking of applying to, they vary greatly on what they look for in scores. Most want around a 300 combined. Some very good schools, like OHSU in Portland, OR, have a bit lower of a GRE score. But definitely take it, it opens up far more possibilities.

3. Experience: Don't be in a rush to apply as soon as possible. Get good ICU experience. Take lots of sick patients. Learn about pressors, how to treat different conditions, etc. Also, learn how to develop confidence in working in stressful situations, such as intubations, codes and so forth. I would give yourself at least a good year and a half before applying, but I have seen people get in with just one year. I've done a variety of ICU work for 3 years, and I still learn things and am humbled every day. But you don't need to stay in the ICU forever, either. In terms of what type of ICU, it usually doesn't matter. Some schools say they prefer CVICU, but I never worked in one and got in.

4. CCRN: Definitely. Surprisingly, some people apply without it. Many still get in without it. I say get it. It's a feather in your cap, and it definitely rounds out your knowledge base a little by studying for it. My philosophy was to try to remove any reason why they wouldn't accept me to their program.

5. Extra-curricular activities: I would say that this is something that schools like as well. At WCU, they brought up the fact that I was a supplementary instruction teacher / TA for anatomy and physiology, as well as a preceptor for nursing students on my floor. Seek out opportunities like this. Be a tutor or a TA, or get on some type of board or council on your unit. Anything you can do to show that you seek out leadership opportunities, and that you excel at certain areas. A friend of mine was an ACLS instructor. These things can help separate you from the pack.

6. Lastly, I would say one of the biggest things is to do well in the interview. They have them for a reason: to see how you think, and what your personality is like. Nobody likes a know-it-all, especially graduate schools. They want nurses that are safe, handle stress well, handle conflict professionally, don't have an ego and are avid learners.

312ICURN · Dec 26, 2014

Hello there! I'm looking to apply to CRNA school in a year or so. I want to take my CCRN and GRE first. I'm curious how you did with your applications? I'm sure you got in somewhere! Where?

Thanks!

Anikookar · Feb 10, 2016

I hope youre doing well in CRNA school! Im graduating with exactly a 3.81 and GRE of 300. ICU experience is my biggest weakness right now, im 27 in a few months and know I need to get a position in the ICU before anything. How long since youve been in the program now and have a feel for it would you recommend I work in the ICU before applying?

nurseman78, BSN, RN, NP · Feb 10, 2016

Sorry for the delay. CRNA school has had me pretty busy.

@ 312ICURN, BSN, I did get in. I got interviews to all of the schools I applied to (Western Carolina University, Barry University and UPMC Hamot / Gannon University). I interviewed at WCU and was offered a slot the same day, so I took it. I am about halfway through the program. I love it, although it is very challenging. The faculty is spectacular, as is the area. The most challenging thing for me is dealing with the personalities in clinical. Most of the time people are nice, but sometimes people can make a judgement about you (e.g. you're too easy-going, not decisive enough, not assertive, or the opposite of all of these!!!), and that can be challenging.

Anikookar, you MUST work in an ICU before applying. Pretty much all schools won't bother looking at your application if you don't meet all of their requirements. Take a look at the websites of the programs you want to apply to. They usually specify all of the classes, academic and experiential requirements they want. And give yourself at least a good year in the ICU before you start applying. You will need that experience to carry you through school. Take the sickest patients you can and get some clinical confidence. You look just fine academically. You have a better overall GPA and GRE score than I did.