(North Carolina)
Hi, I am currently in the process of applying to CRNA school, mainly Wake Forest University.
I am currently a surgical ICU nurse in level 1 academic teaching hospital. I will have been working in the SICU for a year next month.
I hold two degrees. My first degree is a BS in Biology and Health Sciences with a GPA of 3.4. I went directly after that to nursing school and received my BS in Nursing with a GPA of 3.9.
I have recently taken the GRE and scored a 1320: verbal 600, Quantitative 720.
I hold BLS and ACLS certifications and am planning on sitting for the CCRN in November/December.
I have been selected into Sigma Theta Tau international honor society and was selected as 1 of 50 to attend the AACN eastern regional staff nurse summit.
I have done medical volunteer work all over the world including mainly Tanzania and China.
I am shadowing a CRNA and a sCRNA at the end of the month.
I am worried about my chances of getting in especially considering I will only have 1 yr of ICU experience by the time of applications and 2 by the start of the program.
Do you have any advice on things I can do to strengthen myself as a candidate?
Comments for Do you think I’ll be accepted?
Jan 14, 2011
Prepare for the interview
by: Lotus
Wow! You sound like a great candidate on paper! That will get you to the interview.
May I suggest doing practice interviews. I’ve heard of people getting through with a great CV, but interviewing poorly.
Be able to speak in depth as to why you want to be a CRNA. Financial gain is an honest answer that is looked down upon.
It’s good to know your audience. Research the faculty and any recent articles or the papers published by the Wake Forest faculty. Maybe even bring a copy of it with you to the interview.
Be aware of the AANA direction with DNP/DNAP and current issues. And of course, be prepared for clinical questions. Since you are studying for the CCRN, you’ll do great.
As to your concern for having only one year in the SICU, don’t worry, especially if your experience is in a large hospital where you’ve been exposed to more of the anesthesia related ICU tasks (invasive lines, vasoactive infusions, continuous ECG monitoring, etc.).
With one year, you meet the requirement. From what I understand, your GPA and GRE will have more weight.
My best wishes to you. I wish I had your GPA and GRE score! I bet you will do awesome. Let me congratulate you in advance: Congratulations!
Oct 05, 2012
Do your research
by: Someone who knows
There are a TON of things schools look at, so make sure you’re ready. Luckily, you don’t have to discover all the pitfalls of the application process on your own.