I was denied an interview last year with 3 years level 1 MICU experience, CCRN, Overall GPA 3.85, 30 hours of shadowing, and leadership experience like community volunteering, precepting, chair of unit practice council, and a project manager of a hospital-wide committee.
After the denial I spent the past year going above and beyond. Most importantly I attended 2 state conferences, an anesthesia skills workshop, and attended the Marquette DNP symposium. Its really important to go to events like these to network with program directors. By going to these events I met faculty from all the programs I applied to. This year I have gotten an interview at every program with 1 acceptance and 1 waitlist so far.
Don't give up! Take this next year to go above and beyond.