How are my chances for CRNA School

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

Hello all,

Great site and appreciate any information. I have applied to a couple of CRNA schools but after reading some posts want to get a feel for my chances to get in or am I not being intelligent by applying with little ICU experience.

Stats:

GPA--3.7 Accelerated BSN, Business Degree 3.1 15 years ago

GRE--1180

Step down experience 14 months

ICU 2 months and counting.

I was wondering if I applied to a program would they factor in that by the time I started I would have over a year experience in ICU. Love nursing as a second career and want to move up to the next level. Too chicken as a guy to go into nursing 20 years ago.

Thanks for any input.

Specializes in srna.

where did you find your schools ranking?

there are several schools close by and i would like to see how they rate against each other.

by the way, some schools are 28 months, some are 31 months.

how long is yours?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
All schools require 1 yr experience before starting. Some say 1 yr before applying, but what really matters is how competitive you are compared with all the other applicants. And there are many. I had 2 yrs experience, 3.97 GPA, GRE 1500. Earned my CCRN but not until after a couple of my apps were in. Start in January.

Some schools seem to care more about experience, others about GPA and GRE. Research the schools you're interested in and make some direct contact with them by phone or in person. If you are committed enough to being a competitive applicant, you'll get in somewhere.

Now See that opens my eyes up alot. My wife has been a nurse for over 20 years. I mean Dedicated and Driven. At times put her job ahead of the family because thats her. And she knew I'd take care of the families needs. This is her 3rd year applying. 3 years in ICU now, 3.8 GPA, Not sure what her GRE score was but she has really worked hard and has in my opinion met all the strenuous requirements. I hope she gets in this year. It is very competitive.... Almost in "Cut throat" capacity. Whew!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

All,

Thanks for the inputs. Beedog13(Brian) thanks for the wise words. I am willing to relocate anywhere, wife works for government which is easily transferable and we have "some savings" but will do whatever to get the job done. My wife knows when I finish that she can stop working full-time--------that is her motive. Anyone else please keep sending your notes. It is appreciated. If I don't get in, I will keep trying.

Thanks again,

John

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well...I have stood by for 3 years and watched a dedicated nurse get kicked around like a rag Doll. Has 20+ years of nursing experience, I KNOW shes more than Qualified.......

I edited alot of this post, I posted in Anger...because I am.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR, ICU, CRNA.

Bodyguard,

1)Did she only apply to one school? If so, she really needs to consider broadening her geographical horizons and apply to a couple more...ALOT (most) of people have to move a great distance to get in to CRNA school.

2)The other suggestion that I would make is to ask the admissions committee(s)/program director(s) point-blank what is hurting her application or what is making other peoples' so great ahead of her...they will usually tell you what they think.

3)Where dd she get her BSN from? Was it an online program like Regents or Excelsior?

4)Did she get an interview any of the three years applying?

Just trying to help/understand...those seem like competitive stats...I mean can feel for you/her because of the frustration you must be feeling, but I doubt there is an isolated conspiracy to keep her from becoming a CRNA...there has to be something...

Beedog13

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Has she asked what would make her a more competitive applicant next time around? It may be something readily correctable that she is unaware of. Or it may be concerns about how long she has been a nurse, and her challenge is to change preconceived ideas about that. If she gets interviews and doesn't get in, perhaps it's the way she comes across in the interview. Is she continuing to take more classes, retake the GRE, etc. to show continued growth? Every program has their own particular priorities, and it's hard to know what to tell you/her without more info.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Bodyguard,

1)Did she only apply to one school? If so, she really needs to consider broadening her geographical horizons and apply to a couple more...ALOT (most) of people have to move a great distance to get in to CRNA school.

2)The other suggestion that I would make is to ask the admissions committee(s)/program director(s) point-blank what is hurting her application or what is making other peoples' so great ahead of her...they will usually tell you what they think.

3)Where dd she get her BSN from? Was it an online program like Regents or Excelsior?

4)Did she get an interview any of the three years applying?

Just trying to help/understand...those seem like competitive stats...I mean can feel for you/her because of the frustration you must be feeling, but I doubt there is an isolated conspiracy to keep her from becoming a CRNA...there has to be something...

Beedog13

To answer #1, it was only 1 school this year for personal reasons

To answer #2, She did everything they told her to do last year and completed it ALL and then some.....The meeting with the Director I WANT TO ATTEND!!!

To Answer #3, She got her BSN at a 4 year WELL KNOWN college and graduated magna cumma laude. I won't say the name because she has no Idea I post here and I don't want her exposed for what I feel and type..

To Answer #4 She gets the interviews no problem. She has done everything asked of her and then some over the last couple of years.

.....I just don't know what it could be..

It drives me Bananas and its very frustrating.

Geographically relocating is an option, but not possible for now for me. Its frustrating

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Has she asked what would make her a more competitive applicant next time around? It may be something readily correctable that she is unaware of. Or it may be concerns about how long she has been a nurse, and her challenge is to change preconceived ideas about that. If she gets interviews and doesn't get in, perhaps it's the way she comes across in the interview. Is she continuing to take more classes, retake the GRE, etc. to show continued growth? Every program has their own particular priorities, and it's hard to know what to tell you/her without more info.

Yeah..she has done all that. I think I've said enough on this. All the prereqs are done and she has a 3.80 GPA. There are no more classes to take except the clinical part. That to me shows preparation, Willingness to become a CRNA, Drive, Dedication to fulfilling a goal....

maaaaaaaaaaan...........

Up Vote Up Vote ×
all,

thanks for the inputs. beedog13(brian) thanks for the wise words. i am willing to relocate anywhere, wife works for government which is easily transferable and we have "some savings" but will do whatever to get the job done. my wife knows when i finish that she can stop working full-time--------that is her motive. anyone else please keep sending your notes. it is appreciated. if i don't get in, i will keep trying.

thanks again,

john

i just want to say to bsn14john, i didn't meant to hijack your thread but i felt it appropriate to chime in....and i feel your destination brother....we both want the same. good luck to you brother i wish you well in your quest.

bg

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My best recommendation is to try other schools next year, if she's able. But I wonder what they are concluding from the interview and what feedback they offer from the interview itself. The thing is, it's a bit of a crapshoot to get in. There are so many many more qualified applicants than there are positions. I believe that nearly everyone who gets an interview is fully qualified. Each program wants good grades, good GRE scores, good experience and recommendations, and evidence of leadership. But what they value most differs from school to school. And with more applicants every year, what made for a competitive appicant is a moving target. It sounds like her best bet is to apply to more schools next time, if she's still of a mind to take a crack at it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, SICU.

One of the best things you can do is spend time in the OR, shadow a CRNA for a few days. Contact the programs you are interested in and tell them that you want to become a CRNA and would like the opportunity to spend time in the OR before applying, ask if they have someone they would recommend for you to shadow. Schools take all kinds of applicants, some with great stats and others with mediocre stats. When they accept a student remember that they not only want strong stats, but also people that they can handle spending 27-30 months with.

I applied to one program after shadowing one of their clinical instructors for a day. My stats were at best mediocre, but I showed motivation to be there, asked a lot of questions, and by the end of the day I was confident that I would at least be granted an interview. I studied for my interview for days and I start school in January.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
One of the best things you can do is spend time in the OR, shadow a CRNA for a few days. Contact the programs you are interested in and tell them that you want to become a CRNA and would like the opportunity to spend time in the OR before applying, ask if they have someone they would recommend for you to shadow. Schools take all kinds of applicants, some with great stats and others with mediocre stats. When they accept a student remember that they not only want strong stats, but also people that they can handle spending 27-30 months with.

I applied to one program after shadowing one of their clinical instructors for a day. My stats were at best mediocre, but I showed motivation to be there, asked a lot of questions, and by the end of the day I was confident that I would at least be granted an interview. I studied for my interview for days and I start school in January.

Congrats! That is indeed a good thing. But she has been in the OR for 10+ years and has shadowed for more times than I count.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment