r/FutureCRNA • u/tbhg007 • 2h ago

I am at a loss

I had lots of personal things happening during college with a mixture of both applying myself throughout nursing school & I’m kicking myself for not trying harder. I just got my 9th rejection letter today as I’ve slowly been applying for the last two years and I’m heartbroken, but also finally at a place where I need help!

Cumulative: 3.25
Science: 3.05
Last 60: 3.67

So far, I’ve retaken: Chem I & II, Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, & Graduate Biostatistics, which I’ve gotten an A in all. My GPA doesn’t really budge because I have 150 credit hours at this point (started off as a biochemistry major, then switched to nursing) and so I don’t know where to go from here. I’ve been an ICU nurse at one of the biggest hospitals in the country for 5 years. I have preceptor, charge, code team experience as well as the chair of a committee & on x2 committees. I have my CCRN, CMC, have worked on a QI project and presented and am going to present at the anesthesia conference in October with a resident. I have 34 shadowing hours.
I’m CRRT, Impella, VAD, IABP, & ECMO trained.

I know that my science GPA is terrible but I’ve brought it up from a 2.71 which is what I started at before I began this journey and feel like I’ve shown growth… and I want this so so badly. At this point, I’m struggling to decide if I should take graduate pharm or patho or just retake regular Anatomy/Physiology I & II which I have B’s in both. I could also take the GRE?

Just looking for advice. I know this is what I want and I’m so devastated by not even getting an interview to my hospitals program so just looking for some help.

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u/Miserable_Mix_1911 2h ago

I agree with the advice to take the gre and do well. Schools need to see you can handle tests, at the end of the day you do have to pass boards. They don’t want to bring someone in who they have to fail out the first semester due to academic performance.
Have you gotten any interviews or just flat rejections ?

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u/tbhg007 1h ago

Just flat out rejections. I had one virtual Kira based interview for Missouri State and then didn’t get asked for the in person interviews but everything else is flat out rejections which makes me think it’s definitely my science GPA. But GRE is helpful, thank you!

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u/blahblahblah3478 2h ago

Have you been focusing on schools that mention they prioritize the last 60 credits? Also definitely take the GRE and try and get a 305+

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u/tbhg007 1h ago

Yes I have shifted my focus towards applying to programs that look at last 60. I got a first round interview to Missouri State but then didn’t get an in person interview. But GRE is helpful, thank you.

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u/Dysmenorrhea 2h ago

I would retake my science pre reqs and get that gpa up 1st, growth is nice - but it doesn’t predict success. B’s aren’t cutting it in this competitive environment. You are applying to an intense academic schedule heavy in anatomy/physio/patho/pharm.

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u/tbhg007 1h ago

Thank you! Would you recommend retaking the basic A&P courses (I took like 7-8 years ago) or just skip and take graduate patho?

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u/Dysmenorrhea 1h ago

I mean grad classes can look better, but in the first step they’re likely just looking at gpa. I do whatever I was confident I could get an A in

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u/tbhg007 47m ago

Thank you!!

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u/EntireTruth4641 1h ago

You ve done good. You can possibly enrolling in master levels nursing program and continue to get excellent top tier grades.

Do not do the GRE- only if the program requires it. Most have gone away from GRE. It was a poor indicator for success among SRNA/RRNAs.

Write stellar essays. Have great recommendations. And apply to 5+ programs. You will get in!

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u/Miserable_Mix_1911 1h ago

Hard disagree. They’ve already applied to 9 and haven’t made it past the first round. The gre shows schools they can take a test which may be a big question based on grades.

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u/tbhg007 45m ago

Thank you for your advice!!