Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) CRNA 2025 start

Nursing Students SRNA

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Is anyone in here applying for the upcoming VCU CRNA application cycle for January 2025 start?

Specializes in CICU.
johnjohn1981 said:

has anyone heard about interviews yet?

They said it won't be until may, with decisions latest by July 

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Specializes in Medical/Covid ICU.

That sucks. Lots more waiting to do. I feel like most schools get back by a month. May seems like a long while. 

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical ICU.

Does anyone want to share some stats?

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Specializes in Medical/Covid ICU.

I've been ICU 3.5 years, 2 nursing research projects, volunteer, BSN 3.9/ASN 3.0, pre-op/pacu for a year too, shadowed 16+ hrs, CCRN, ONS chemo/immunotherapy, ACLS BLS PALS

My ICU experience is weird. I did MSICU a year and then traveled to regional cardiac/trauma/Neuro and even oncology ICUs. Now I'm back in MSICU doing charge/precepting and more nurse research stuff/councils/extra things as I go. I'm also retaking a few classes and continuing to take chemistry classes until I get to orgo at my college there are many prerequisites and it is at least paid for by my hospital.

Yet I'm still feeling not competitive enough. So many amazing nurses are out there looking to do CRNA. I'm going to do what I can to stay competitive. 

What about you? 

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical ICU.
Roses_and_poses said:

I've been ICU 3.5 years, 2 nursing research projects, volunteer, BSN 3.9/ASN 3.0, pre-op/pacu for a year too, shadowed 16+ hrs, CCRN, ONS chemo/immunotherapy, ACLS BLS PALS

My ICU experience is weird. I did MSICU a year and then traveled to regional cardiac/trauma/Neuro and even oncology ICUs. Now I'm back in MSICU doing charge/precepting and more nurse research stuff/councils/extra things as I go. I'm also retaking a few classes and continuing to take chemistry classes until I get to orgo at my college there are many prerequisites and it is at least paid for by my hospital.

Yet I'm still feeling not competitive enough. So many amazing nurses are out there looking to do CRNA. I'm going to do what I can to stay competitive. 

What about you? 

You have some wonderful experiences! I am apart of a CRNA group on FB and she went live yesterday saying "you're going to be a CRNA regardless, you're just one yes away!” Whether it's this program or another, we will get in somewhere and accomplish all of our goals. I did 3 years of volunteer experience through EMS and was on their board of directors. I also volunteered at 3 other organizations for a much shorter period of time. I have around 40 hours of shadowing experiences from CRNAs to pediatric MDs. I did some research in college as a TA and participated in a few research projects. I work in a MSICU for 2 years and have served as charge, preceptor, and am apart of a council. I received awards such as the Daisy award and a few others. My recommendations are from my manager, ICU PA, and our medical director. I have my CCRN, PALS, ACLS, and some other speciality certs. I understand how you feel about the inadequacy and I hear you. There are always ways to be better but we are enough as we are. Best of luck. 🙂

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Imposter syndrome is real...just looking for a smidge of validation as I was rejected after interview from another program.  Anxiously awaiting to hear from VCU. If anyone has pointers that have been in this process longer, I would love to hear about it!

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I feel this. I have similar experience minus about 5/6 years. Majority CVICU. Different leadership experience but still well rounded. Have had multiple interviews at top schools however I also feel my time away from undergrad has been a negative. I'm about 10 years out and have also retaken classes (2 chem classes and a graduate path class). I feel my experience is drawing them in but they are prioritizing people closer out of school to play it safe for their pass rates. 

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Hi you guys, 

 

first year here.

Sorry to hear you have been struggling with the process.. Remember, right program right time! You both have great resumes overall, but I did not see or read much about GPA and specifically Science GPAs which kept me thinking. Previous poster is correct that being a full time doctoral student is totally different when shifting from an experienced bedside critical care nurse. Programs do want to protect their attrition rates and need to know that applicants who've been out of school a long time can handle that mental shift and showcase they have strong study skills to make the grades. The shift into being a full student and knowing how to thrive independently in your studies is important. They know you are clinically smart, but grades matter a ton.  
 

if anything I could recommend outside of retaking classes for any science course less than a C is showcasing in your interviews that you are ready to handle the didactic workload in your interviews, show how you have economically/financially prepared to handle the journey of school and what self work have you done as a person and as a future graduate student. 
 

its not that programs prefer "younger" students but programs prefer students who they can bet on that they know can handle the sheer volume of information being thrown at you. Typically, students who have been in school recently are able to mentally handle that mindset. Age is not a factor no matter what you hear. 

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My science GPA is 4.0, cumulative 3.89, nursing probably 3.5-3.6 on a 7 pt grade scale where a 92 was considered a B. 

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flatbreadpizza said:

My science GPA is 4.0, cumulative 3.89, nursing probably 3.5-3.6 on a 7 pt grade scale where a 92 was considered a B. 

Awesome! The fact you are getting interviews is always a good sign and means you definitely can be in anyone's program so do not let one programs opinion about your ability to be a student shape you. You are well qualified. 

ask for feedback from the program who denied you and

keep interviewing! and polish up your interview skills with EI/behavioral practice and knowing your common ICU population down to drugs, pathophysiology and therapies. Show that you can be molded and teachable are the big things. The interview is what seals the deal. Not the stats.

Especially as older students with tons of experience. They also want to be sure you can handle or have the personality for the OR that can shift from being "experienced ICU nurse to fully novice anesthesia resident" that can take direction, not be a know it all and receive criticism. 

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Specializes in ICU/RAPID nurse.

What's up everyone, has anyone heard anything about interviews?

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Nothing yet 😕

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