Should I bother applying to CRNA school?

Tacomaboy3 · Jul 5, 2018

Hello colleagues,
I have aspired to become a CRNA ever since Nursing school and am genuinely concerned that my past shortcomings may affect my dream from coming true. I began college about 10 years ago as a pre-med hopeful and excelling in my freshman year taking the basic sciences such as general biology and chemistry. I struggled the following semester with a sub 3.0 gpa but things got very out of control afterwards. I lost my father and decided to remain in school despite the advice of many. I won't sugarcoat it because I want honest opinions, I basically thought I could just show up for finals and just salvage what was left and at least get my degree. I have basically 3 semesters of all F's and withdrawals. It wasn't until academic suspension that I took time off to get myself right.
With my past being said, I finished an associates program with a solid 3.75 GPA and completed my BSN program with an immaculate 4.0! I have almost 1 year exeperience in the cardiac icu of a level 1 teaching hospital, will be CCRN certified. I have also retaken organic chemistry and got an A. So, you can see I turned things around as best as I think I could. My concern is that a lot of schools want to see ALL transcripts and cumalitive gpa. After all that hard work my CUMULATIVE gpa is just slightly above a 3.0 but more concerning is my science gpa which is well below 3.0 thanks to being a Biology major during my crisis where i failed. My recent science coursework has been solid ( A&P 1 B, A&P 2 A, Micro B, Pathophysiology A, Organic chem A) but my past still crushes my cumulative.
I really hope there is a school out there that won't hold my past which is about 8 years old now against me while my last 5 years has been steller. Thanks for any and all advice!
-Mike

Yep, it'll be difficult to substantially augment that cumulative GPA, but you have a positive trend (which is great!). ALL school will consider your cumulative GPA; most require a 3.0 minimum but there are a handful of schools that don't have a GPA requirement. Some schools also consider your last 60-90 credits. I'd suggest looking at the Unique CRNA Programs tab on http://www.all-crna-programs.com.

To answer your question, if I had your exact background I would still apply to 5-10 schools; I'd even feel hopeful of landing some interviews and offers of admission. Continue to work on other aspects of your application, gain 1-3 more years of experience, and consider taking a couple of graduate classes to establish an excellent graduate school GPA.

elkpark · Jul 5, 2018

When I applied to grad school many years ago (not a CRNA program), I got asked about a single "F" I had in a badminton course (yes, a PE course) 20 years earlier, the first time I went to college, long before I ever thought about going into nursing. I did get accepted, but they noticed and they asked.

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Jul 5, 2018

When I applied to grad school many years ago (not a CRNA program), I got asked about a single "F" I had in a badminton course (yes, a PE course) 20 years earlier, the first time I went to college, long before I ever thought about going into nursing. I did get accepted, but they noticed and they asked.

My daughter has a D in Rock Climbing on her transcript.....

guest769224 · Jul 5, 2018

My daughter has a D in Rock Climbing on her transcript.....

Those must have been some pretty tough rocks to climb, whew!

DreameRN, BSN · Jul 5, 2018

I have one D on my transcript, in billiards, and they asked me about it *face palm*. Most important thing is to have your explanation ready, I think. You've clearly done better since. I've heard experienced people on here say though, that you can have one hole in your application, not two. I think you could explain away your grades, but only having a year of experience (depending on your admission people) could be another. Time cures that though!

allnurses Guide · Jul 6, 2018

I did not have the greatest GPA in my original undergrad transcripts (that were over 25 years old!) when I applied to nursing school. However, I had a 4.0 in my pre-reqs and in a previous graduate program. I included in my application a statement that I took my post undergrad education much more seriously as I had gained maturity and significant life and work experience. My recent coursework showed that I could handle graduate level coursework. I was accepted to all 5 programs I applied to.

Go ahead and apply. Best of luck to you!

Oldmahubbard · Jul 7, 2018

When I applied to grad school many years ago (not a CRNA program), I got asked about a single "F" I had in a badminton course (yes, a PE course) 20 years earlier, the first time I went to college, long before I ever thought about going into nursing. I did get accepted, but they noticed and they asked.

I'm surprised they are allowing you to practice after that F in badminton, haha!

loveanesthesia · Jul 7, 2018

Your GPA is above 3.0 so your application will be considered by most programs and will get you an interview at many. A good GRE score will help for those programs who look at it. You are the applicant that can be helped by the GRE.

Hobberdog · Jul 7, 2018

You should have no problem getting in. You will most likely get asked why, which is good. You get to explain what happened, that you lost your focus, and then recovered brilliantly. I had similar difficulties when I first began college. I took some time off and returned to graduate summa cum laude. When questioned about my initial grades, I told them that I lacked focus, that I didn't know what I wanted to do. When I returned, I knew exactly what I wanted and worked toward that goal. Go get it!

guest956031 · Jul 13, 2018

You have a chance! Do not give up on your dreams. I also suggest that you build your resume and get involved at your job. Shadow a CRNA too. I say go for it :)

BigPappaCRNA · Jul 14, 2018

Please, please, please don't apply yet. Make your entire package more attractive, and then apply. Everyone can have one hole in their resume, in your case, it is your previous grades. So that means your work experience, both in quantity and quality have to be outstanding. Don't bother applying to any program the second you have minimum, as it just won't work. Get about 4 years of quality experience and you should do fine. Also, take a few graduate level courses while you are working and waiting ( maybe statistics, or physiology, or chemistry) and do well. This will show them you can do the work.