HOW DO I STACK UP TO THE REST?

grade point average

Average GPA will vary from school to school.  Contact the CRNA school directly for the average scores of their previous accepted classes.

*It is common for schools to separate your “science GPA” from your “overall GPA.” It is best to have A’s and B’s in your sciences.

 Average GPA: 3.5; Top GPA: 3.75 

 Have a below average GPA?

  • Is it an undergrad history class or a nursing science that’s bringing your GPA down? 

  • Give it a boost by taking grad level science courses (and get A’s in them!) 

    • Courses good to take (and may be required for admission) 

      • Advanced Pharmacology

      • Advanced Pathophysiology

      • Physical Health Assessment

      • Organic Chemistry/Physics

      • Statistics

GRE Average 300; Top GRE >310 

It's important that you meet the minimum requirements for admission. Don't get discouraged because of your GPA. It could be that you were heavily involved in your national/local nurses organization, played sports, or was the president of your nursing class.

The committee is looking at the whole package, not just the numbers.

Experience

Average years of critical care experience is approximately 2.5 years at level 1 trauma facilities in CVICU, SICU or BTICU. 

  • If you have NICU or PICU experience and the CRNA school you’d like to apply to does not accept it,  try transferring to another unit or get cross-trained in an adult ICU. 

  • No area is perfect, but 1-2 years experience in a larger, level 1 trauma ICU is better than having 10 years in a small community ICU setting where you aren’t managing critically-ill patients — and vice versa. Don’t get hung up on the type of unit. It is important you obtain the proper critical care foundation. This can be obtained through a small or large facility.

extras

Volunteer Work 

  • Some examples include volunteering at a local hospital, study abroad or even volunteering for your local nurse anesthesia association.  This shows that you're involved and interested in giving back to your future profession.

Certifications and Extra Courses

  • Getting an extra certification or taking a grad-level course may also add value to your application package.  Some subspecialty certifications to the CCRN like CSC (cardiac surgery) and CMC (cardiac medicine) are great additions.  Taking Advanced A&P, Patho, Physics or Chemistry can show the admissions committee that you can handle graduate level courses despite your past GPA.

interview preparation

Don't neglect Interview Preparation!

  • The interview is just as important as the application.  Once your application is submitted, begin preparing for an interview because you don't know when they're going to call you.  Many people get stuck at this point due to inadequate preparation!

  • Regardless of your GPA, essay, resume and recommendations, think of the interview as the only thing the admissions committee has to make their decision. While those aspects play a factor, you already know that you’ve piqued their interest because of your admissions package.  The fact that you have a great GPA and resume doesn’t prevent you from receiving a rejection letter due to a bad interview.

“This is your time to shine and to prove who you say you are on paper, in person.”

(quote from my interview preparation video -- check it out).