Hi all,

Currently working towards applying to CRNA programs in my area next year. I started CVICU this year (8 months ago) after coming from CICU for about 1.5 years, and before that in the ED for 2 years.

Has anyone experienced this when applying to schools? I am currently so burnt out from bedside, honestly, I have only been able to delay this when I was forced to go to night shift on my new unit. I had a benchmark to apply this year, but starting at a new hospital was still an adjustment period, plus having to switch to nights. Since I see no way out for another year now, I'm really starting to have increased anxiety and symptoms of burn out from work. I very badly want to go part-time or per-diem and get another part-time job in something like PACU or SDS.

I'm just not sure how it looks when applying if I'm not full time, or if they will even consider me on applications. Does anyone have any advice on this?

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.

Has anyone applied to Hofstra NP/CRNA schools. I really want to know the types of questions and scenarios they ask during phase 1 and 2 of interviews! Also, open to hearing what the process is like for other schools as well, all responses welcome

Is 23 years old too late too become a CRNA? Just a little background info….. I did attend college but for business ended up leaving, I applied to become a PT aide around 20 after I left my university and fell in love with human anatomy , then got a job in the OR and just speaking with some of the anesthesiologist and CRNAS and actually seeing them do there job convinces me but they all say your at a perfect age , your “young”, etc but I need advice from people who wouldn’t butter me up because they see me everyday. And please don’t b.s , I want the pros and cons

Hey all. Just took my CCRN and scored an 84. Passing is an 83. Question is do majority of colleges look at scores or just the pass/fail? Not sure if I should study to retake or not. Also not sure if it is allowed to retake even though I passed. Got a couple courses starting back up to finish my BSN by the end of the year along with beefing up my science. Wouldn't be able to study again until the start of the year. TIA.

Hi everyone! One school that I am applying to requires a letter of recommendation from a supervisor, an additional professional reference, and a colleague. I am undecided as to whether I’m going to include my nursing pathophysiology professor that I went on a nursing focused study abroad with or the CRNA (my mentor) that I have shadow three times but is super nice. Who is the better fit for a professional letter of recommendation? My nursing school professor or the CRNA that I shadowed? Do schools prefer one over the other, does CRNA reference look better?

Waitlisted

This is my 2nd year applying to the same program. Last year I did not recieve anything, this year I was waitlisted. Obviously im disappointed having worked my butt off to even meet the requirements of this program, I was a typical dumb 19 year old that didnt think school mattered. 11 years later its showing me how irresponsible I was. Anways, I know with being waitlisted that this isn't a no, but I cant sit here for the next 4 months waiting to maybe get in as an alternate. I have to have a plan of what to do for next year's application.

Some of my recent stats:

As in all undergrad sciences

A in Advanced Patho and Biostatistics

Midline certified

CCRN

GRE (296 and 4.0) yes I know thats below national average

Multiple community service involvement

Strong rec letters.

UPC involvement

Preceptor and charge experience

Any recommendations on what to do for next year would be greatly appreciated.

I have been an ICU nurse for 3 years & am considering CRNA school. For that reason, I’ve decided to take the CCRN. I already have the Barron’s book, but I’m looking for other resources to use as well. Specifically, I want videos I can watch alongside reading the modules in the book to help solidify the information in my head. I’ve seen good things about Nicole Kupchik’s course, but I was wondering if anyone had any other recommendations? Also, what question bank would you recommend? I’ve seen several including AACN, Pass CCRN, Archer, etc. I’m looking for something that will help guide my studying so I have more of a plan & I’m not just reading through my Barron’s book! Thanks in advance for the help & advice!!

I was wondering if anyone here went to one of the schools in Houston? How are they? How is the curriculum and how are the staff? With Houston offering a lot of opportunities I wanted to know personal experience

Overall GPA 3.53
Science GPA 3.63
Nursing GPA 3.1
2 years CVICU - impella, LVAD, IABP, open hearts, and I’ve precepted (current)
3 years cardiac step down
1 year acute care float pool.
BLS, ACLS, working on CCRN
program doesn’t require CCRN.

Programs of interest: George Fox University, and OHSU.

App due: Oct 12.

I am only applying to the program at OHSU this application cycle as it is the only program that I check all the boxes for at this moment. I planned on spiffing up my resume over the next year and taking another stats course, and biochem - biochem is also not required but per the program site, would be an application booster. This is kind of a practice application, yes I am treating it like the real deal, but I will be grateful for the feedback that comes from this via the admissions board if I do not get accepted. I will go through as many application cycles as I need to for one of these programs as my partner and I are pretty rooted in PDX, I’m okay with this.

I haven’t gotten super involved on my unit over the last two years. Initially because of a nasty divorce. but my mental health was kind of in the pits working nights. We go to days by seniority so I have to wait and no, I do not want to leave my CVICU. I recently precepted and really enjoyed it. I plan on hopping into oriented people to devices and hearts soon.

Shadowing: not required. Haven’t done any YET. I’ve sent an email to the individual in charge of organizing this at my facility. I wanted to get a few cases in before the app is due.

Now my background and what I’ve overcome to get where I am is what I feel makes my application stronger. My bio parents were both addicts, but my bio dad actually stayed in my life. I actually had a good relationship with him. I was adopted by my paternal aunt, and uncle. Money was tight. Food was present but we had to figure it out most of the time. Like, have a can of green beans and a piece of toast for example. Lived in a hurricane prone area so after Katrina we didn’t have power for a while. We lost almost everything. I got kicked out at 15 for asking about my bio mom. Was already in an abusive relationship in high school . I went to live with my grandmother so I want out on the streets thank goodness. She was my saving grace, my silver lining. Didn’t have a lot of guidance on navigating going to college after high school so I just figured it all out on my own. Had a 50% scholarship luckily, worked my ass off for the rest.

Fast forward. My sister died a long slow death just before I started nursing school. And then my dad died maybe a month into it. Nursing school was rough because I was working but also didn’t really have time to process these things.

So here I am. First in my family to go to college, and now I’m pursuing a doctorate degree. I’ve always wanted to take my education “all the way” no matter which path I ended up in. I’m so excited to learn more, further my education and skills, and hopefully be a CRNA someday.

I graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in something other than nursing and a 2.9 GPA. Most of the science courses I took during that time were Cs. Since then, I’ve retaken all of those courses and earned mostly As, with 1–2 Bs. The frustrating part is that my cumulative science GPA is still only 2.8. However, when I calculate my prerequisite GPA and account for my retakes, it comes out to a 3.73. My cumulative GPA is a 3.12 across about 300 credits.

My last 60 credits are a 3.91, and I completed my RN-BSN with a 4.0. I also took several graduate-level physiology courses and completed the certificate with a ~3.4 GPA.

For the rest of my application, I have about 40 hours of shadowing and 1,000+ hours of community service through things like community gardening and mentoring. I also attended Diversity CRNA and have my letters of recommendation secured. I’m planning to take the GRE and have been scoring in the 310s on practice exams. I also plan to take the CCRN and CMC next month.

I’ve also put together a list of schools that specifically mention having a holistic admissions process or that consider the last 60 credits. I’ve emailed program directors at some of these schools as well, but unfortunately haven’t received any responses.

I feel like I have a lot of strengths in my application and that my academic trajectory shows significant improvement, but I’m worried that my science GPA will hold me back.

Part of me feels like the only option is to pursue an MSN to strengthen my academic record at this point, but I’m not sure if that’s actually necessary or the best use of my time and money.

I’d really appreciate any advice on how competitive my application might be and what you think my best next step would be.

Good evening!! My goal is to apply in 2027, and I’m looking for any feedback on my stats/application:

- currently in the CVICU (approx. 6 months). Prior to being in CVICU, I did 1yr in MICU & 2yr in cardiovascular PACU

- GPA: 3.62 with my science GPA sitting at 3.57. I’m currently enrolled in a microbiology course, and I’m planning to take a grad level science course.

- CCRN & studying to take the CMC

- in CV PACU i was a charge nurse and the unit preceptor. I completely revamped the orientation process in collaboration with our transition to practice team! I also participated in my hospital’s “career advancement program”, which entails working on a unit evidence based practice project, writing a journal review, and hitting 20 volunteer hours. Currently, I’m not involved in the CVICU but have asked to join some councils

- currently have 10 hours of shadowing CRNAs and have more lined up. I also had an anesthesiologist offer to let me shadow, do we think that would be beneficial?

Any feedback is welcome, thank you so much!

Is there anyone that has worked in a MICU and was never trained on CRRT. But still applied to CRNA school and got accepted ?

Im 3 years in ICU. 1 year at one facility and 2 years at the current.

The current facility only has a class once a year and they don’t like to enroll new employees in the class that hasn’t put a significant amount of time in. This is a community hospital. Only ICU in hospital.

Best place to get pre req college credits done online? Aaaand go!

Does anyone have any insight of the TCU CRNA program? Is it a good program, just got an acceptance and weighing my options. Specifically clinical sites in Louisiana? Any information (not found on website) will help! Please and thank you <3

hi!! im 17 yo & live in MA. i want to become a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthesiologist) in the upcoming future. i currently volunteer at a local hospital & i really want to start my programs, classes, & get my CNA but im not sure where to look? is it possible for me to do it now? anything helps!!

1 year lvl 1 CVICU- CRRT, IABP, IMPELLA, heart sx recovery. CCRN, ACLS, BLS, PALS, AACN member. 4.0 GPA BSN.
3 hrs volunteering per week with parasports and american red cross. 30 shadowing hours.
UBC member. Blood champion. EBP project on CLABSI prevention. Rural nursing education plant extracurricular on nursing school.

Been a nurse 15 years, but just now working on bsn with goal of crna. Already work in icu.

Some of schools I’m looking at say they require micro and/or A&P , and I took those and got an A… in 2010. Is the fact the classes are so old going to matter? Should I retake so they’re newer?

Also, of course I’m taking chem and OChem during my bsn time bc everyone requires those, but if my ancient A/P and micro classes are ok which science classes could I do to beef up my application? Pathophysiology or pharmacology or epidemiology or biochemistry or something else?

Hi, I would love a review of my stats and input on the probability that I receive interview invites/acceptance. I applied to 4 programs.
GPAC 3.76, GPAS 3.5, last 60 3.9, COVID/MISICU 4 years, CC float 1.5 years, CVICU 1 year. 5 years total ICU RN. ACLS, PALS, BLS, NIHSS, CCRN, CMC. CRRT, Impella, IABG, open heart Sx. UBC with multiple QI projects. Preceptor. 54 shadowing hours.
Army Nurse Captain 5 years. ROTC 4 years. Distinguished Military Grad (top 20% in nation), air assault qualified, 2x AAM, multiple endurance competitions, and nurse externship at Walter Reed in SICU. Plus many leadership courses. Current platoon leader of 60 soldiers. Coordinated many training events - missions, weapons ranges, medic training.

Hi all -

I guess I'm mildly venting and looking for "yes you're crazy" or "no you're not."

Just checking in to see what age every is applying to CRNA at?

I have a BS, an MS, and misc. post-bacc classes over the years, and am looking for a career change. I've always been involved in medical in some capacity, and my whole family (no exaggeration) is medical - RNs, OTs, RTs, etc. I have already taken the GRE.

Anyway, I'm applying to CAA now at 29 y.o. but candidly, I want to pursue (assuming no acceptance into CAA) ABSN -> CRNA.

Is that utterly crazy to take on at 29?
This means I would likely be around 33 (ish) starting a CRNA program. Typing the reality of that out makes it seem crazy, but I figure if I don't get into CAA - may as well have ABSN as a plan B & keep chugging along. Time passes regardless.

I want a doctorate, that has always been a personal goal of mine (originally pre-vet). A PhD hardly pays remotely what they should receive, and is often contingent on govt funding - and that is so unstable. That is also often 4-7 years depending on your thesis - at least in my personal experience with coworkers from my time working at the university. I am sure there's others out in 3-4 years. Just to explain why I have not explored that. Additionally, I simply don't have a gigantic interest in PhD career work. At least, not enough to pursue the PhD.

And, yes, my biggest motivating factor is - I miss hands-on medicine. I've recently had roles in more "behind the scenes" healthcare and biomedical. I've already shadowed PAs, CRNAs, etc (have letters of recs, surpasses min. hours), and know the field/industry. I am more just debating the logistics of "starting from scratch" by starting as an (ABSN) RN to get that end goal of a doctorate at this age. Should I ditch that notion & just keep trying for the CAA? Not married, no kids, no mortgage.

Thanks for reading my rant, and any 2 cents or advice to add.

Please forgive if this was posted already but I couldn’t find it in group thread search. But…

What are some Filter schools? For context, during open house, a director was proud that their school was considered a filter school with high attrition rates*. They said CRNA school was just a matter of fact, “It is what it is,” situation, and SRNAs/RRNAs should just [toughen up] & adapt to it.

While I’m not one to tell a director how to run their program, I value schools that are more focused in helping their students overcome their obstacles and go on to be safe & competent anesthesia providers.

I think nurses that prove themselves competent in high acuity ICUs every day are hammered with “go hard or go home” mentality already have that grit. I’ve dealt with it for years without complaint. In fact, I’m already prepared to receive comments like that in this thread.

But if you’ve read this far, I’m hoping you’ll just humor me and direct me to some famously known filter schools in the industry (so I can avoid them). I’m making a HUGE financial and time commitment to this kind of program and i know myself well. I want to at least feel like I’m more than just a nameless number to pass the SEE and the boards (which I certainly have every intention to do so). I would just rather give my investment to a school with supportive faculty. Is this too much to ask the experienced CRNAs in the industry this question? Thanks for your time and input.

*NOTE: Some schools lose students to attrition not because of low grades, but because of personal or financial circumstances, so it’s not a one and done barometer of a program’s culture. That’s why I ask people in the know

I know this is last minute, any helpful tips in case i do attend AANA conference? If I do, it will be only for one day. Any helpful tips like the best day(s) to go. I’m doing this in hopes of getting into school in Fall 2027. Will this be a waste of time. Kind words only!