Will getting my NP degree help with CRNA applications

offlabel · Aug 21, 2018

Be really careful here...if you're willing to go to the trouble and expense of NP training (little to no crossover to anesthesia), why not establish yourself (at a fraction of the expense) as a rock star CC nurse? Your gpa is adequate for many, if not most training programs. What matters for nurse anesthesia, as opposed to medical school, is rock solid, hard core CC experience. Teaching is a plus. Demonstrate ability to take exams and you're in...set a goal of getting excellent adult CC experience, taking care of pre-reqs if necessary in the time it would take you to be admitted to and complete NP training. Then start applying to anesthesia programs. You'll get in somewhere, trust me. If not the first go round, the second unless you're a complete train wreck. You should be able to answer that question right now.

MDdropouttoCRNA · Aug 21, 2018

Hey everyone!
I currently work in a CCU and looking to advance my education. I graduated with a BSN and a 3.2 cumulative GPA. I have always wanted to become a CRNA, but have become discouraged with my GPA. I have been considering applying to an affordable online NP program while working, to help give me an edge on competition. Will going back to school for an NP degree help my chances of getting into a CRNA program? Has anyone done this before, and/or what would be your advice? What would you recommend doing in addition/instead to help my chances of getting into a CRNA program
Thanks in advance!!

No! don't waste your time... Just get the ICU experience and apply broadly (20+ schools).. Do well on the GRE and you will get in somewhere, make sure you apply to the less competitive schools...

bsr94 · Aug 21, 2018

Thanks for the comments! I was still planning on working in the ICU. I was thinking I would work full time and do NP part time. The program I'm looking at in particular is UT Health Science Center in Houston. It is pretty affordable, and they have a NA program as well. I thought that if I graduated from one of their graduate programs, it would look pretty good on my application.

Trauma Columnist · Aug 21, 2018

Moved to SRNA forum - best wishes

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Aug 21, 2018

Thanks for the comments! I was still planning on working in the ICU. I was thinking I would work full time and do NP part time. The program I'm looking at in particular is UT Health Science Center in Houston. It is pretty affordable, and they have a NA program as well. I thought that if I graduated from one of their graduate programs, it would look pretty good on my application.

You would likely be denying a seat to someone who wants NP just to make your application look good. That ties up resources preceptor-wise that would be better expended on someone who intends to practice as an NP.

CCRNRCIS, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2018

But it can also get some of your nursing theory and research classes out of the way so you can focus more on anesthesia school if you get in. Just a thought....

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Aug 21, 2018

But it can also get some of your nursing theory and research classes out of the way so you can focus more on anesthesia school if you get in. Just a thought....

That can be done with a non-clinical MSN as well. But so many times grad schools don't accept transfer credits.

jj224 · Aug 22, 2018

Save your time & money. Whatever perceived shortcomings you have with your applications, make up for in critical care experience and if you feel you need to boost your GPA, do it with some sort of advanced science class at a local CC.

BigPappaCRNA · Aug 25, 2018

To answer your questions, it won't hurt you, but it is not likely to help you all that much, either. If you were to go to the same university that you would go to for your CRNA, then at least conceivably you may be able to knock out a couple of the fluff classes.

My bigger concern is your GPA. School does not get easier, it gets exponentially more difficult. Honest question, how or why do you think you can pass in a rigorous CRNA program if your BSN GPA is so low? Maybe take some graduate level physiology or pathology courses, or maybe bio-chem or statistics, and DO WELL IN THEM!!! Just wanting to be a CRNA is not enough.

bsr94 · Aug 26, 2018

Thanks for all the responses/advice!

My BSN degree was through an accelerated program. During my last year in school, my mother got very sick (requiring open heart surgery), and other personal/family issues immediately followed. Although I was able to perform well my last two semesters (after my mothers health improved and family issues got sorted out) my first couple of semesters of nursing courses already dragged down my GPA.

Granted I probably wouldn't be able to explain all of that in my application, but I thought maybe pursing a masters degree, and doing well, might show that I'm able to handle a rigorous CRNA program!

Spolar · Sep 10, 2018

Thanks for all the responses/advice!
My BSN degree was through an accelerated program. During my last year in school, my mother got very sick (requiring open heart surgery), and other personal/family issues immediately followed. Although I was able to perform well my last two semesters (after my mothers health improved and family issues got sorted out) my first couple of semesters of nursing courses already dragged down my GPA.
Granted I probably wouldn't be able to explain all of that in my application, but I thought maybe pursing a masters degree, and doing well, might show that I'm able to handle a rigorous CRNA program!

I had my MSN when I applied to CRNA school. I'm older with a family so I could only apply to the one school I could commute to (super competitive school) so I'm kinda glad I had it to beef up my app. I'm sure it helped as it was brought up more than once in the application/interview process.

I had thought I wanted to do NP then changed my mind towards the end of the program but finished it anyways. Definitely wouldn't recommend it just to apply though. Go back and retake your science courses if you need to bolster your gpa, get the highest acuity experience you can get, and get as many certs as you can.