Getting Into CRNA School

Hey everybody,

I am currently on my way to receiving a B.S. in Nursing at SUNY Buffalo in New York. I was wondering how competitive most CRNA programs are and what most of the schools look for in an applicant.

Thanks in advance!

Hey Derrick, I am on the same path. Probably a little behind you bcuz still working through getting out of the Marine Corps. However, I just wondering if you've gotten anything back on this because it's what I wanted to do as well. I thought you had to be an RN in ICU for atleast 2 years in order to get accepted into a CRNA school.

Well, Good Luck.

Hi I am on the same track. I am not sure in New York but I have looked at schools in VA NC and AZ most school want a 3.0 gpa 1 or 2 years in acute nursing experience and of course a BSN most schools will request you to come in for a interview as well Also I think for the most part they have anywhere from 15-22 students a year not sure how many app I hope that helps and good luck to us all

hey derrick...CRNA schools are not highly competitive, but getting in is not easy either...most schools want a gpa of about 3.0 to 3.2 and a good score on the GRE, but from my experience 3.0 -3.2 is not going to get it...your going to need a GPA of about 3.5-3.7 and get a score around 1000 on GRE....I hope this helps and good luck

Derrick, PITT had about 750 apps for roughtly 40 seats this yr. Very competitive. I suggest being active with RN organizations, shadowing CRNAs, Pass the NCLEX the 1st time, 1000+ on GRE and a GPA ~ 3.5. Lastly, your work experience should be in an ICU where PA caths, cardiac arrests and/or big bleeds occur often (not a community H)Hope this helps, good luck.

oops - giant type -- should be "shadowing"!

I am an RN at a large hospital in Indianapolis working in an ICU. Unfortunately, there are not any CRNA programs in Indiana. I plan on going back to school for my Master's next fall (at which time I will have 2 yrs ICU experience). As of now I am going to go for adult NP...anyone know how easy it is to make a transition from adult NP to CRNA?

Having recently scoured the requirements of over 30 CRNA schools, and I agree with everything that's been said. While it's true that all CRNA schools are competitive, I've been amazed to find how widely they differ in number of applicants to available seats. Programs will take anywhere from 5% (PIIT) to 30% of their applicants. Some accept a fixed number of students each year and others may accept anywhere from 20-50 students, depending on the quality of applicants that year.

I found a site that's been extremely helpful to me - it details the requirements of all 109 CRNA schools in the US. www.all-crna-schools.com

Also, beware that in the near future, you'll need a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) to be a CRNA. There's only one or two schools that have already made the transition from a Masters to a DNP, but those who go through now and get the Masters CRNA may need to go back years from now and upgrade to the DNP. For whatever it's worth.

[QUOTE]
Also, beware that in the near future, you'll need a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) to be a CRNA...but those who go through now and get the Masters CRNA may need to go back years from now and upgrade to the DNP.

Since I posted that, I've done more research. Those who get their masters to become a CRNA will be grandfathered in. Programs will begin switching their curriculum in 2015 and all programs will have made the switch by 2025. By 2025, all who wish to become a CRNA will need a DNP. Those who are already practicing will be grandfathered in.

Sorry for the previous misinformation. Hope that helps.

There are so many CRNA schools now the market has started to become flooded. Especially here in Florida. New grads are REALLY having a hard time finding work. And some that have been working for years are finding the hospitals Dropping their pay and letting AAs work which is a person that gets into an anesthesia program without getting their BSN in Nursing

So before you decide to do CRNA school look at how many Fewer jobs their are. More jobs in the North of course.

Joy in Oakland, California said: [QUOTE]
Also, beware that in the near future, you'll need a DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) to be a CRNA...but those who go through now and get the Masters CRNA may need to go back years from now and upgrade to the DNP.

Since I posted that, I've done more research. Those who get their masters to become a CRNA will be grandfathered in. Programs will begin switching their curriculum in 2015 and all programs will have made the switch by 2025. By 2025, all who wish to become a CRNA will need a DNP. Those who are already practicing will be grandfathered in.

Sorry for the previous misinformation. Hope that helps.

I thought this was only for the NP masters programs. Nothing has really been said about the CRNA programs since they have different responsibilities that NPs do.

nicole in Columbia, Missouri said: I thought this was only for the NP masters programs. Nothing has really been said about the CRNA programs since they have different responsibilities that NPs do.

This applies to all advanced practice nursing specialties, including CRNAs, Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives and Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Derrick in Seaside, California said: Hey everybody,

I am currently on my way to receiving a B.S. in Nursing at SUNY Buffalo in New York. I was wondering how competitive most CRNA programs are and what most of the schools look for in an applicant.

Thanks in advance!

It's pretty competitive but it's possible. I got into TWU after 3 years of ICU experience. My buddy is using this program by ANS Career Pro called "CRNA School Admissions: The Cold Hard Facts" It must work because he only has one year of ICU experience and already has 3 interviews scheduled. Here is their website hope it helps www.anscareerpro.com

Dazo in K-Bay, Hawaii said: Hey Derrick, I am on the same path. Probably a little behind you bcuz still working through getting out of the Marine Corps. However, I just wondering if you've gotten anything back on this because it's what I wanted to do as well. I thought you had to be an RN in ICU for atleast 2 years in order to get accepted into a CRNA school.

Well, Good Luck.

Most schools do require 1 t 2 years expeerience in specific ICU setting like surgical icu neuro nicu peds are not geneally accepted however i think ER experience should be considered at this time because of the lack of bed avaibility ICU patients are are managaged for long periods of time in the er.

Hey everyone! My name is scott and I was curious how strong my chances are of at least getting an interview. GRE 900, GPA 3.2, ICU experience 2 1/2 yeras, working on my CCRN. I have already job shadowed so that is out of the way. Any advice would be GREAT!

Hey all, just sharing my experience, stats(two interviews at the two schools I've applied to).

5 years ER/Trauma. 1250 GRE, 3.9 GPA. I'm hoping that my experience doesn't shoot me in the foot, and that my score and previous academic success will bring me through!!

I've got an interview at Case Western in Cleveland on Monday...super excited!!

Happy hunting my people.

I also am applying. Heard it really helps to getting acls certified and pals certified. Just did my acls online at www.aclscertification.com and will do pals later.

lol

Hi, my name is Jake, I'm currently studying nursing as a freshman at University of Massachusetts Boston. I was wondering if you folks can give me advice or recommendations on what I should do during my college years and how it is going to be after I get my Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. I have read somewhere that sometime around 2015 to 2025 that they are only gonna accept CRNAs that CRNA program only accepts students that has DNP degree and not a Master's Degree.

Also, would my chance be higher if I had more than 2-3 years experience in ICU/Critical Care or those 2-3 years of experience is enough for me to get in? Any tips on getting high scores on the NCLEX/GRE? I'm sorry if I'm asking for too much or repetetive questions, but I just really want to be clear what is ahead in my future.

Hi, my name is Jake, I'm currently studying nursing as a freshman at Umass Boston. I was wondering if you folks can give me advice on what I should do during my college years and how it is going to be after I get my BSN. I have read somewhere that sometime around 2015 to 2025 they are only gonna accept CRNAs that CRNA program only accepts students that has DNP degree and not a Master's Degree.

Also, would my chance be higher if I had more than 2-3 years experience in ICU/Critical Care or those 2-3 years of experience is enough for me to get in? Any tips on acing the NCLEX/GRE? I'm sorry if I'm asking for too much or repetetive questions, but I just really want to be clear what is ahead in my future.

RN in Indy in Indianapolis, Indiana said: I am an RN at a large hospital in Indianapolis working in an ICU. Unfortunately, there are not any CRNA programs in Indiana. I plan on going back to school for my Master's next fall (at which time I will have 2 yrs ICU experience). As of now I am going to go for adult NP...anyone know how easy it is to make a transition from adult NP to CRNA?

there are some programs like that are shared programs fnp/crna. vandy has one. good luck.

Houston, Tx is a massively international medical city. Something that I haven't noticed anyone mentioning is physician references. They can make a real difference. All of the CRNA programs that i am familiar with are through established medical schools. A reference from someone affiliated with the medical school goes very far toward making one stand out. Biochemistry knowledge helps enormously. Every physician that I know who was a biochem major had an easier time in med school, so a CRNA candidate might want to consider that, as well.
Good luck in your quest.
Elliott

Derrick in Seaside, California said: Hey everybody,

I am currently on my way to receiving a B.S. in Nursing at SUNY Buffalo in New York. I was wondering how competitive most CRNA programs are and what most of the schools look for in an applicant.

Thanks in advance!

nick baker in Redmond, Washington said: I also am applying. Heard it really helps to getting acls certified and pals certified. Just did my acls online at www.aclscertification.com and will do pals later.

Do you work for them or something.It doesn't help to get your ACLS or PALS, it is required!

Adrianne in Austin, Texas said: Do you work for them or something.It doesn't help to get your ACLS or PALS, it is required!

Your ACLS and PALS, needs to come from AHA, most places will ONLY accept AHA ACLS and PALS course.