We have seconds before our resume gets tossed into a pile, either the you get to move on or the no thank you pile. Your resume needs to be clear and have the right pieces of information strategically placed so that it doesn't get missed. 

What if your GPA is lower, but you still want to get into CRNA school? 

With the right strategy, I believe anything is possible. But without a doubt, you have to go the extra mile to “make up” (for lack of a better way to say it) for your less than ideal GPA. 

By the way, are you curious how competitive of a CRNA school applicant you are?

Take the free quiz here!

Let’s dive into 3 things that you can do to make your resume stand out on your CRNA school application with a low GPA. 

1. Research Experience

CRNA programs are now 36 months long because they are all doctorate programs. As a part of your doctorate program, you will have to do a research project. If you are able to put something under that “Research Experience” header on your resume, that’s another check box for you. 

Reach out to MDs or APRNs on your unit, and see if they are involved in a research project. Let them know you’d love to help them collect or analyze data. Large teaching institutions are constantly conducting research studies (this is another reason why we recommend you work at large, metropolitan hospitals), you gotta do a little leg work, but we know you can find something! 

2. Extra Certifications

And when I say extra, I mean, extra in addition to your CCRN. So I know not all the schools, not all the programs require you to have your CCRN. But really, you need to have your CCRN, given how competitive programs are. Period. 

You can watch our free masterclass, Getting Into CRNA School 101 to check out a whole list of extra certifications we suggest you take a peek at. 

CCRN Academy (use crnaclub10 for 10% off) and Nicole Kupchik CCRN (crnaclub20 for 20% off) both have great CCRN review courses. Those are affiliate links, which mean I get an extra bit to keep these free resources coming, at no extra charge to you! 

3. “Anesthesia-Related Experiences” 

Yup, this is a header we suggest you put on your resume. Yes, your shadow experience can go here, but we want you to think a bit deeper than that. If you have a lower GPA, how are you going to stand out? 

Maybe that’s by doing an anesthesia-related inservice on your unit. 

Or maybe it’s attending your state’s AANA meeting (yes, RNs are welcome to attend in some states). We’ve done the legwork for you and reached out to every state and gathered information on their next, upcoming meeting with information on how you can attend. Get that here.

Show that you have an understanding about the profession that you are committed to becoming a CRNA, that this is what you want to do. 

Overall, with a lower GPA, you can still get into CRNA school, you just need some time to check all the right boxes, and a strategy behind every move you make. 

Resources mentioned: 

Watch our free, 30 minute Masterclass, Getting into CRNA School 101

CCRN Academy (use crnaclub10 for 10% off)*

Nicole Kupchik CCRN (crnaclub20 for 20% off)*

*affiliate links, no extra charge to you, but I get a little somethin’ somethin’ to help keep this blog going.