SRNA and/or CRNA - Information for Future School Applicants

ocd-in-icu, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2023

Name said:

need advice for interviews. Also, if you have a link on finding political issues of CRNA. I couldn't find it on AANA website

hey, I'm applying for CRNA school currently but my boyfriend is a CRNA. most of the political issues I've heard from him and his friends are issues with the MD not being completely onboard with the scope of practice of a CRNA along with how CRNA's can/can't bill for their services. there are also issues that stem from the scope of practice with AA's! I'm sure someone might give you a better answer but that's a place to start!

DZErika, BSN, RN · Nov 2, 2023

I've always wanted to go to CRNA school and bc of small kids it wasn't in the works 7-8 years ago. I'm feeling it's now or never to try. My biggest problem is my overall GPA is 3.25 (bc of my first 3 semesters of school when I was 17 and partying) my science GPA is 3.8 or 3.85 w statistics. I also took a semester of FNP school w straight As (graduate level courses may look good?) but decided that truly wasn't what I wanted and I was wasting my time. I'll have been a RN for 11 years when I apply. 10 years of L&D, 2 in OR/PACU & only 1 in ICU. I'll take GRE & make sure to get over 300. I have done surgical mission trips and have certifications in ACLS & OB , won't have time for CCRN one first try of applying but will get PALS . I have plenty of opportunities to shadow CRNA so I'll log many hours before applying also . I know that overall GPA looks rough but will they focus on what counted towards BSN (also have a BA prior to BSN) and that I did grad level courses w straight As) and my high science GPA? And did GRE even though some don't require it? Or do you think it's too weak to even try? Looking or truthful honest opinions! Thanks!!

loveanesthesia · Nov 4, 2023

10 years of L&D, 2 in OR/PACU & only 1 in ICU

Are you currently in the ICU? That will help you the most at this point.

JuicyJ95, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2023

I'm currently gearing up to apply. My problem is I felt my science GPA would be about 3.1, but unfortunately, NURSING CAS calculated it to be 2.67! I took a C+ in Microbiology, otherwise all B's. So, I'm thinking I'll have to take a graduate-level pathophysiology and maybe even pharmacology. Otherwise my cumulative is 3.44 (ADN-3.25, BSN- 3.72). I've worked a little over one year in a Level II MICU and STICU, and now I am in a Level I CTICU where I have been working for over a year. I have precepted at all facilities, I have my CCRN, CMC, CSC, and TNCC. I was on the code team, trauma response, and rapid response team. I work on the unit based council and the skin champion team at work as well. I feel the only shortcoming I have is in my science GPA. Do you feel your program weighed sciences heavy enough for that to be a killer or do you feel I could beef up my resume in other ways? I just do not know of anything outside of maybe a unit research project, or volunteer experience.

Trusted Brand · Nov 13, 2023

DZErika said:

I've always wanted to go to CRNA school and bc of small kids it wasn't in the works 7-8 years ago. I'm feeling it's now or never to try. My biggest problem is my overall GPA is 3.25 (bc of my first 3 semesters of school when I was 17 and partying) my science GPA is 3.8 or 3.85 w statistics. I also took a semester of FNP school w straight As (graduate level courses may look good?) but decided that truly wasn't what I wanted and I was wasting my time. I'll have been a RN for 11 years when I apply. 10 years of L&D, 2 in OR/PACU & only 1 in ICU. I'll take GRE & make sure to get over 300. I have done surgical mission trips and have certifications in ACLS & OB , won't have time for CCRN one first try of applying but will get PALS . I have plenty of opportunities to shadow CRNA so I'll log many hours before applying also . I know that overall GPA looks rough but will they focus on what counted towards BSN (also have a BA prior to BSN) and that I did grad level courses w straight As) and my high science GPA? And did GRE even though some don't require it? Or do you think it's too weak to even try? Looking or truthful honest opinions! Thanks!!

You can do this!! You'll want to make sure you apply to schools who don't require the CCRN (though, understand that the applicant pool is more competitive than ever, so you may have to get it after all, but I would certainly try without if you have the option to).

As someone else mentioned, you need more ICU experience (and preferably to be current in the ICU when you apply).

Hint-- You may want to be prepared to explain why you started the NP path then changed your mind. This happens more often than one may realize, and we've seen *many* of our students get asked about that during interviews ? You may also want to be ready to demonstrate that you're willing to be teachable again, given your extensive experience.

It sounds like you've got some great leadership and volunteer experience-- shadowing hours will be beneficial, especially to demonstrate that you're ready for the CRNA path (and fully understand it) after switching out of NP.

Here's a free documentation form you can use to log those shadowing hours: https://www.cspaedu.com/j814jsxq

To answer your questions at the end of your post: Some programs will look at overall GPA, some will look more heavily at science GPA; some will only look at last 60 credit hours. Truly getting to know your program(s) can help you determine that; we can help you understand this whole process and accelerate your acceptance.

The GRE is the same as the CCRN is the sense that, if a program says "recommended" then it's up to you as far as taking it or not-- Our advice in the Academy is always "If it's recommended, you should consider it to be a requirement" simply due to the competitive applicant pools. Programs have been receiving record numbers of applications year over year, so the more competitive you can be the better. Even if they only recommend it, they may still prefer an applicant with high scores on them over an applicant without them.

Hope this helps-- Cheering you on!!

JuicyJ95 said:

I'm currently gearing up to apply. My problem is I felt my science GPA would be about 3.1, but unfortunately, NURSING CAS calculated it to be 2.67! I took a C+ in Microbiology, otherwise all B's. So, I'm thinking I'll have to take a graduate-level pathophysiology and maybe even pharmacology. Otherwise my cumulative is 3.44 (ADN-3.25, BSN- 3.72). I've worked a little over one year in a Level II MICU and STICU, and now I am in a Level I CTICU where I have been working for over a year. I have precepted at all facilities, I have my CCRN, CMC, CSC, and TNCC. I was on the code team, trauma response, and rapid response team. I work on the unit based council and the skin champion team at work as well. I feel the only shortcoming I have is in my science GPA. Do you feel your program weighed sciences heavy enough for that to be a killer or do you feel I could beef up my resume in other ways? I just do not know of anything outside of maybe a unit research project, or volunteer experience.

Contact the program(s) you're interested in and see if they prefer to see you retake courses or if they prefer you to take a grad level class to boost that science GPA.

You can do this!! We're cheering you on!

DZErika, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2023

CRNA School Prep Academy said:

You can do this!! You'll want to make sure you apply to schools who don't require the CCRN (though, understand that the applicant pool is more competitive than ever, so you may have to get it after all, but I would certainly try without if you have the option to).

As someone else mentioned, you need more ICU experience (and preferably to be current in the ICU when you apply).

Hint-- You may want to be prepared to explain why you started the NP path then changed your mind. This happens more often than one may realize, and we've seen *many* of our students get asked about that during interviews ? You may also want to be ready to demonstrate that you're willing to be teachable again, given your extensive experience.

It sounds like you've got some great leadership and volunteer experience-- shadowing hours will be beneficial, especially to demonstrate that you're ready for the CRNA path (and fully understand it) after switching out of NP.

Here's a free documentation form you can use to log those shadowing hours: https://www.cspaedu.com/j814jsxq

To answer your questions at the end of your post: Some programs will look at overall GPA, some will look more heavily at science GPA; some will only look at last 60 credit hours. Truly getting to know your program(s) can help you determine that; we can help you understand this whole process and accelerate your acceptance.

The GRE is the same as the CCRN is the sense that, if a program says "recommended" then it's up to you as far as taking it or not-- Our advice in the Academy is always "If it's recommended, you should consider it to be a requirement" simply due to the competitive applicant pools. Programs have been receiving record numbers of applications year over year, so the more competitive you can be the better. Even if they only recommend it, they may still prefer an applicant with high scores on them over an applicant without them.

Hope this helps-- Cheering you on!!

You can do this!! We're cheering you on!

I listen to y'all ALL the time on podcast! Driving, at work when I get free time, etc. Thanks for the reply, I spent the last week or 2 really deep diving my tops schools & this all seems very possible now and more exciting than ever! My ICU will be current as I'm currently trying to get that job (as a new ICU RN) and work the year so I can apply! In the meantime I'll finish my personal statement letter , study up for interview and be ready to mail to process!

gcmeyers · Dec 11, 2023

Thank you for being so willing to share your experience. I have been a nurse for about 9 years, the last 7 have been in CVICU. I always thought CRNA school wasn't in the cards for me for one reason or another. But, after years of thinking "If I had it to do over again, I'd go to CRNA school..." I've decided to go for it. The internet is full of lots of rabbit holes to travel down, and I'm just trying to get a sense of if I am a competitive applicant. Should I plan to apply all over the country or is it realistic to just apply to my preferred programs locally so I don't have to uproot my husband and myself? What kinds of experience and qualifications does the average applicant have? I realize this isn't a question with a super clear answer, but any sort of insight or general observations about the types of applicants I would be competing against is super appreciated.

Like I said above, I have 7 years of CVICU experience in multiple Level 1 teaching hospitals and have various leadership opportunities throughout (charge, code team, etc). I also have further specialized and practiced as an ECMO specialist for the last 3 years. My nursing school GPA was 4.0 and my pre-req GPA (Anatomy/Physiology, Statistics, etc.) is 3.82.

Any insight would be amazing! Trying to set realistic expectations for myself.

h2co3 · Dec 11, 2023

gcmeyers said:

Thank you for being so willing to share your experience. I have been a nurse for about 9 years, the last 7 have been in CVICU. I always thought CRNA school wasn't in the cards for me for one reason or another. But, after years of thinking "If I had it to do over again, I'd go to CRNA school..." I've decided to go for it. The internet is full of lots of rabbit holes to travel down, and I'm just trying to get a sense of if I am a competitive applicant. Should I plan to apply all over the country or is it realistic to just apply to my preferred programs locally so I don't have to uproot my husband and myself? What kinds of experience and qualifications does the average applicant have? I realize this isn't a question with a super clear answer, but any sort of insight or general observations about the types of applicants I would be competing against is super appreciated.

Like I said above, I have 7 years of CVICU experience in multiple Level 1 teaching hospitals and have various leadership opportunities throughout (charge, code team, etc). I also have further specialized and practiced as an ECMO specialist for the last 3 years. My nursing school GPA was 4.0 and my pre-req GPA (Anatomy/Physiology, Statistics, etc.) is 3.82.

Any insight would be amazing! Trying to set realistic expectations for myself.

I don't have much to offer besides that you seem like a great candidate and should do just fine applying! I would make sure you reach out to programs you're interested in to make sure your science courses haven't "expired"!

DabofDantrolene · Apr 28

Hi, I'm at 6 years of ICU experience. 3 in CVICU and 3 in Mixed ICU. Overall, my application feels strong. I have a 3.95 cumulative and 3.9 Science GPA. I'm applying only to programs without a time limit on coursework. However, at what point do you feel I should retake grad-level courses to be more competitive? Should I only consider it to expand my options of where to apply? Thanks in advanced!

Name, BSN, RN · Apr 29

DabofDantrolene said:

Hi, I'm at 6 years of ICU experience. 3 in CVICU and 3 in Mixed ICU. Overall, my application feels strong. I have a 3.95 cumulative and 3.9 Science GPA. I'm applying only to programs without a time limit on coursework. However, at what point do you feel I should retake grad-level courses to be more competitive? Should I only consider it to expand my options of where to apply? Thanks in advanced!

You don't need graduate level courses. Your GPA is good enough but you can do it if you want to

Mtucker0113, BSN · Apr 29

Hello!

I have been a nurse in a CVICU -University Level 1 trauma center for 1.8 years and have been traveling for the last 6 months to a University Float ICU-level 1 trauma. Prior I was trained in Ecmo (VA&VV), IABP, CRRT, Impella and took those devices on a daily basis. I worked directly with anesthesia providers. We specialized in heart transplants and lung transplants. I would land a fresh heart or lung once or twice a week form the OR. I worked with training new grads, travelers and new nurses to the unit. Also incorporated new technics how to reduce CLABSIs in the hospital. Looking to seek research experience at my current hospital. 40+ hours of shadowing a CRNA.

I am looking to apply to CRNA school this application period but nervous about my GPA.

cum: 3.6

Science: 3.5

In my essay I am going to speak to myself being the first one to graduate high school in my family. My father was in prison my whole life and only was raised by my grandparents. I have been trying to recover my GPA with sciences by retaking a few. I did retake a graduate level Physiology class, Gen Chem. I plan to take O chem next but do you have other recommendations? Thank you!!

Trusted Brand · Apr 29

Mtucker0113 said:

Hello!

I have been a nurse in a CVICU -University Level 1 trauma center for 1.8 years and have been traveling for the last 6 months to a University Float ICU-level 1 trauma. Prior I was trained in Ecmo (VA&VV), IABP, CRRT, Impella and took those devices on a daily basis. I worked directly with anesthesia providers. We specialized in heart transplants and lung transplants. I would land a fresh heart or lung once or twice a week form the OR. I worked with training new grads, travelers and new nurses to the unit. Also incorporated new technics how to reduce CLABSIs in the hospital. Looking to seek research experience at my current hospital. 40+ hours of shadowing a CRNA.

I am looking to apply to CRNA school this application period but nervous about my GPA.

cum: 3.6

Science: 3.5

In my essay I am going to speak to myself being the first one to graduate high school in my family. My father was in prison my whole life and only was raised by my grandparents. I have been trying to recover my GPA with sciences by retaking a few. I did retake a graduate level Physiology class, Gen Chem. I plan to take O chem next but do you have other recommendations? Thank you!!

Those are strong stats, and your GPA is not "bad" either! I would ensure that you highlight your experience and devices; traveling can *sometimes* be viewed "negatively" by CRNA programs IF they don't know that you get high-acuity patients (many travel nurses get the "less sick" patients so it's important you emphasize your experience).

And of Course-- your interview is what matters most! We've seen 4.0 students get rejected while 3.0 students get accepted all because of the interview.

We offer tools to help you prepare! If you're interested, you can learn more here: https://www.cspaedu.com/welcome

You CAN do this! We're cheering you on!!