Will my previous low GPA in an unrelated degree hurt my chances for CRNA school?

[croqueta]

I have a bachelor's degree in computer science, but my GPA isn't the highest as the subject didn't interest me much and GPA didn't matter much for getting a job in tech. 

I'm now taking nursing prerequisites and have a 4.0 GPA so far and will be going into an ADN soon and then doing RN-BSN after that. I am fully committed to keeping my GPA at the minimum 3.7 or higher. 

That said, my previous GPA will pull my overall cumulative GPA down. I think I can bring it up to around a 3.2-3.3, (not including grade replacements) but I know that's not competitive for CRNA programs. Would this be able to be counteracted with a high nursing school and high science GPA? 

I want to know if I have a realistic chance before fully committing to this path. 

 

Thank you!

[Kbag]

Depending what university you received your computer science degree, I can definitely tell you that the courses you may have taken are tougher than nursing courses overall.  Computer science is an engineering-oriented program that involves Calc 1-3, Linear Algebra, Physics with Calc, and Engineering Statistics just to start at most unis.  Those are courses nurses never even touch on. 

I think you have to keep producing in your nursing program with the highest grades possible.  This will pull your overall GPA up.  I feel you need to reach out to some programs when they are not in the thick of admissions/interviews and talk with them.  If I was answering you I would tell you I would look at the whole picture where you are concerned, but I am not a program director for CRNA school.  I think any intelligent person could see if you made nearly all As in nursing school and the rest of your file was solid that you have the academics for success.

The problem you may face is most have no clue how difficult computer science programs are and how tough the courses are.  They are so focused on that narrow path of nursing courses and they don't know STEM.  This is something you would have to explain.  This would be part of your story in getting in a program.  Nursing school is competitive and some courses are difficult, but many nurses are taking GenChem, OChem, and Biochem online and it is nothing like taking those pre-med courses at a competitive university.  

Take some time to reach out and make an appointment to talk to admission staff at several schools and get a feel for your situation.  I believe if you can get through a true computer science program that you can be successful in nursing/CRNA if it is your passion.