My resume: Advice needed

[nurseman07]

I'm apply to CRNA school this fall for 2009. My resume is as follows.

GPA-3.18
Science GPA-3.4
GRE-1250
Experience- 16 months ICU
Shadowing hours- Over 40 hours
CCRN

Am I a good canidate? What can I do to strengthen my resume?

[PropofolDiva]

I'm apply to CRNA school this fall for 2009. My resume is as follows.

GPA-3.18
Science GPA-3.4
GRE-1250
Experience- 16 months ICU
Shadowing hours- Over 40 hours
CCRN

Am I a good canidate? What can I do to strengthen my resume?

GPA IS A TAD LOW BUT YOUR GRE IS PRETTY GOOD. WRITE A KILLER LETTER AND GET EXCELLENT REFERENCES. YOU SHOULD BE OKAY. GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

[perhayem]

A have heard that for many programs, as long as you meet all the requirements, the interview can be the maker or the breaker. So your GPA might not be your biggest concern. Have you thought of retaking anything (organic, pharm, patho)? Those are some of the classes they really like to see you do well in (3.0 or above). You may have done well in those courses though so it may not even be an issue for you. I wish you the best of luck!

[JClark]

I would recommend becoming an instructor for BLS, ACLS, and/or PALS. IT shows that you have mastered the skills enough and you are confident enough to teach others.
Also, you may want to take a few classes like Physics or Biochemistry (University of New England has a great online Medical biochem class that is known by many CRNA programs). Even if you have taken these classes it shows that you are continually trying to improve yourself and learn. Also if you ace them it can boost your GPA. If you take graduate level courses like physiology or anatomy, you may not have to take them during the program. Other than that, you may just have to work a few years in the trenches and get some well needed experience. Try to put yourself in a large busy ICU that sees a variety of patients with a lot of vents and drip titration. Best of luck!

[T.J.]

Sounds like my grades, but your overall science gpa is better. I had lots of extra science credits from a previous degree and tried to emphasis my diverse science background. I placed emphasis on my volunteer work outside of the hospital. When I wrote my goals statement I detailed my growth as a nurse (aide -> PCT -> Surgical Floor RN -> SICU RN), explaining how each step was to prepare myself for anesthesia school.

For references I got my supervisor, an anesthesiologist, and a top-notch CRNA (the one I shadowed).

Since programs now are M.S. and DNP, it's important to display a familiarity with research and any experience in doing research is helpful.

It also looks good to be involved in the politics of nursing. Join your state association and keep an eye out for issues important to nurses and anesthetists.

[mhstovall]

My numbers were similar to yours. Advice about good references is good. Just do whatever you can to get an interview. The actual interview weighs more heavily than the resume at that point. Blow them away and you're in. Just show them that after school you have become a strong RN. Another thing they look at is if you started out bad and got better as you usually see with college students. Progression is good. Shows a maturation process. If you are worried still, and have time, you can take college science over and show that you are ready to learn. Advance A&P or organic chem are good ones. Good luck