r/CRNA • u/fbgm0516 CRNA - MOD • 11d ago

Weekly Student Thread

This is the area for prospective/ aspiring SRNAs and for SRNAs to ask their questions about the education process or anything school related.

This includes the usual

"which ICU should I work in?" "Should I take additional classes? "How do I become a CRNA?" "My GPA is 2.8, is my GPA good enough?" "What should I use to prep for boards?" "Help with my DNP project" "It's been my pa$$ion to become a CRNA, how do I do it and what do CRNAs do?"

Etc.

This will refresh every Friday at noon central. If you post Friday morning, it might not be seen.

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

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u/mdsc1 11d ago

Hello all,

I’m currently an RN and have been looking to start getting an application together and am wondering how much more work I’ll need to do.

To start, I went to a well respected ABSN program and received a 3.99 gpa, graduated summa, and was very involved in multiple organizations

Now the hitch is my first degree was an abject disaster. I received a biology degree and received a 2.98 with a lot of the recommended or needed prereqs being among the courses I received Bs and Cs in.

Is my first degree something that can be overcome? I was looking into some of the university of Florida’s masters programs in medical anatomy and physiology and was thinking about pursuing this as a means of padding my terrible first degree gpa.

Some other background if it matters:

  • navy veteran of five years
  • 2 years current ED rn with CEN (would still need ICU time)

1

u/1mursenary 11d ago

Apply to a school like UNCG that weighs nursing gpa over science gpa

1

u/mdsc1 11d ago

Would you still recommend I take additional courses or do you think they weigh the nursing gps significantly enough that I can avoid burning tuition?

1

u/RamsPhan72 11d ago

I would first call some of the programs you’re interested in, and speak with the admissions coordinator. They often provide good suggests and direction, especially in your situation. FWIW, I had an abysmal transcript from my first five years at a community college, with no degree, and a gpa in the 2’s. I prioritized partying and hanging with friends over my studies.

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u/mdsc1 11d ago

Sounds eerily similar to my intial college experience… would you be willing to tell me what program you ended up at?

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u/1mursenary 11d ago

If you check the boxes for the required science courses the entire weight of gpa for ranking is nursing courses. I failed a chemistry course like 15 years before I applied, showed up with a CLEP of chem 101+102 and got accepted. Rest of app was real strong

1

u/Celeste02monique 11d ago

Some schools just use the GPA from the last 60 hours when reviewing applications. You can find online which schools do.

1

u/nobodysperfect64 11d ago

Things to think about (and you do not need to answer them here/to us, but more to yourself)
1) how long ago was your first degree? If it’s old and you can speak to why it went the way it went, you may be able to overcome that
2) how’s the cumulative GPA? That matters more than the overall GPA
3) how long would you be willing to spend in the ICU? I had a low GPA and spent more time there than the average candidate, and repeated all of my outdated sciences.
4) your background is helpful. Im not/never was military, but the emotional intelligence it takes to allow someone to shout in your face and not flinch is surprisingly useful and I think that would help you stand out. Extra points if you did medical stuff.
5) the ED obviously doesn’t count towards critical care, but in my humble experience, it made me a better rounded candidate because it’s easier to adapt and overcome after working in a busy ED no matter what is going on.

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u/Decent-Cold-6285 10d ago

I am someone who also had first degree in bio with a meh GPA and went back for an accelerated BSN. I did eventually get into school but it wasn’t easy. What I learned from the process is that you will need to apply as broadly as possible and strategically to schools that look at certain grades, courses, or last 60 credit hours to calculate science GPA  vs. your cumulative science GPA. From personal experience, it’s not worth applying to schools that calculate cumulative GPA because you will never be able to get your GPA to where it needs to be and not every school takes retakes for the course. Beef up your resume with unit involvement such as committees, precepting, and certifications like CCRN, CMC or CSC as well. Finally, reach out to the school or attend an open house and inquire about how they calculate their science GPA if not on the website, then retake classes you need to apply. 

It’s not impossible to get in with a lower first degree GPA but you will have to work harder to get an acceptance compared to those with a higher GPA. It’s a grind but it’s worth it! 

1

u/howmanymoreletters 10d ago

can i ask how your experience was getting into an absn with a 3.0 gpa? difficult/multiple tries?

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u/mdsc1 10d ago

I was accepted my first try. I only applied to two schools and I’m more than happy to tell you what two they were if you DM me. I was accepted to both (one conditionally pending completion of prerequisites). I leaned heavily into schools that were military friendly and I also took a few masters level courses that showed I could handle it academically and get myself to that 3.0 cutoff.

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u/BoojooBloost 11d ago

Question for SRNAs who came from community ICUs, how are you holding up in CRNA school compared to the level 1 academic center nurses?

3

u/Decent-Cold-6285 10d ago

My classmates that worked at smaller hospitals had just as sick patients as I did at a level 1 trauma hospital. As long as your ICU  gives you experience with sick vented patients, your school won’t care if it’s a level 1 trauma hospital or a small ICU in a rural area. 

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u/Aggravating_Sea3877 11d ago

No problem at all. I got in with CVICU/SICU experience from a community hospital.

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u/RamsPhan72 11d ago

Community hospitals have sick patients. A level I is not the gold standard. And not a requirement.

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u/BoojooBloost 11d ago

I know man, I work at a community hospital and take sick patients. At the same time, my girlfriend works CVICU at a level 1 and is paired with day one post codes on devices and vents every single day. The question is now that someone is in CRNA school, is there any difference noted?

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u/tnolan182 CRNA 11d ago

Day one post codes? Not sure how that matters. This is literally why memes about CVICU nurses being insufferable exist. Every ICU ive ever worked on has taken post-arrest patients. And device knowledge isnt that applicable to the OR setting since you dont need to run a CRRT in the OR and impellas are in a minority of patients.

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u/RamsPhan72 11d ago

I get it. Good ICUs have sick patients. Understanding the pathophys is a good thing. Sicker the better, prepares you for high level anesthesia care. To that, sick is sick. Community and rural produce excellent CRNAs. Now, you can always call some of the programs you’re interested in, and ask to speak with the admissions coordinator. They are a wealth of info, and often will divulge suggests, provided you tell your story.

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u/BoojooBloost 11d ago

Dang okay good to know about speaking directly to the admissions coordinator. I’ll give it a go

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u/Wrong_Customer4671 7d ago

I was recently turned down after an interview for the MICU, which is the highest acuity floor in the hospital. I'm thinking of applying to a Neuro Critical Care. I have 1 year experience in Neuro Med/Surg so it would be a smoother transition but the NCCU is a lower acuity floor. I'm also uncertain if it will qualify for CRNA school since I won't see many codes and fewer intubated patients.

I want to make my application as strong as possible. ADN GPA is a 3.6. Starting my BSN this fall.

Will the NCCU be enough for CRNA school or should I wait and reapply to the MICU in a few months?

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u/Budder88 7d ago

Nccu is okay but definitely not the best. Go sicu or cardiac

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u/Wrong_Customer4671 6d ago

Cool, so no Cardiac ICU unless I apply out to another hospital. SICU is a no-go here as well, until I have more experience (their words "2-3 years")

I'm left with reapplying to MICU or going NCCU.

Should I just go ahead with the NCCU or wait to reapply to MICU?

1

u/Tall-Character-7708 7d ago

I am a mother of 4 kids (elementary and under) targeting a 2028 CRNA start. I’m looking for practical advice from SRNAs or CRNAs on managing family logistics, program selection, and living off student loans with dependents.

Quick Background:
Did my BSN with 2 kids, had my 3rd during my final semester, and worked full-time throughout. I know CRNA school is a whole different animal, but I have the discipline and support for managing school alongside a busy household.
My issue is I’m concerned that loans will not be enough to cover tuition and cost of living with this big family.

Relocation: Located in Texas, but fully open to moving the family nationwide for the right program (or moving solo temporarily).

Looking for insights on:
Living Off Loans: I’m not scared of debt, but I am terrified of running short on basic survival cash (rent, food, utilities). Since university COA living budgets are capped for a single student (~$1.8k–$2.4k/mo), how manageable was this for those with families?

USAGPAN Realities: I live 3.5 hours from San Antonio. Zero tuition + active-duty Captain pay/BAH is ideal for a family of 6, but I’ve read their attrition rate can run high (18–25%).
Family-Friendly Civilian Programs: Which programs (Texas, regional, or low-cost-of-living schools like Arkansas State, UT Health, BCM, etc.) offer high faculty support, predictable single-site clinical rotations.
Appreciate any real-talk feedback/ advice from parents or military CRNAs!

I’m doing the research but I’d like someone who’s actually been through this or is currently in a similar boat to give some insight. Is there a piece I might not be looking into or overlooking?

Thank you!!!

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u/carlotttaaa 5d ago

Hello! Apologies for the poorly redacted content, but what’s left should provide all the context necessary. I’m applying to various program across the PNW and they are closing soon! Looking for feedback on my resume itself and my chances as an applicant. What do yall think? Thanks

0

u/Disastrous-Promise-9 8d ago

Hey everyone, I’m currently an RN and I hate it. My goal is to become a CRNA, but now I’m not sure since I hate being a nurse, only 1 year in. Is becoming a crna worth it? Do you like your job? Should I just go a completely different route?