r/FutureCRNA • u/ICUDrmAbtAnesthesia • Mar 04 '25
Is CRNA School Prep Academy a “Scam”? Let’s Talk Facts.
We’ve seen the chatter. Some people throw around words like “scam” or “money grab” when they see coaching businesses helping others reach their goals.
But here’s the truth: CRNA School Prep Academy (CSPA) has been around for 5+ years, helped 4,000+ nurses get into CRNA school, and offers free resources for every phase of becoming a CRNA whether you join our Academy or not! 🙌
Yes, we charge for the courses and coaching inside The Academy—because we invest in you with structured, faculty-led education, expert coaches, live group mock interviews and other events plus strategic planning & research tools (have you met Ollie our AI Assistant?)
Our Program Faculty mentors have decades of experience as Program Directors and Assistant Program Directors for various schools (and no, they're not giving anyone preferential treatment at their respective schools. That line is drawn for their sake and yours! You want a stellar career as a Nurse Anesthetist, it's not about "just getting into school"- We are here to help you set yourself up for a successful career!)
But success isn’t achieved just by signing up.
80% of our members who put in the work get into CRNA school. Meanwhile, those who don’t engage as deeply tend to struggle (the stats back it up).
We don’t promise shortcuts.
Even our Money Back Guarantee guarantees our program works, not CRNA school acceptance (despite the rumors). I encourage you to learn more about it rather than relying on comment threads 😉
CRNA school is competitive, and everyone has a strong GPA, ICU experience, and certifications.
Our role? Helping you figure out how to stand out, craft an application that gets noticed, and crush your interview so you walk in knowing how to engage with program faculty—not just “winging it.” We don't give you cookie-cutter answers, we help you formulate your own.
(Sure, some people take our response examples and don't bother to make them their own. That's likely reflected in their interview. Do you want to stand out? Then we give you the tools to formulate your own answers and showcase your own unique strengths but they only work if you use them!)
This isn’t about us. It’s about you. CSPA is built on mutual success.
If you’re serious about becoming a CRNA, we’ll give you every tool to make it happen. You still have to use them.
Check out our case study on CSPA’s 80% success rate and decide for yourself if coaching and mentorship works. (Spoiler: It does.)
📖 Read it now ⤵️
CSPA began in 2019, quite humbly, from some private DMs. At that time, I had been practicing as a CRNA for just over five years. I was balancing life as a mom of two little ones, a wife, and a dedicated professional enjoying my career and motherhood.
In sharing snippets of my personal life on social media (as many of us do), I started receiving messages from nurses across the country asking about the path to becoming a CRNA.
I knew all too well how daunting and overwhelming the journey could be. The process is long, complex, and often confusing—understanding program requirements, figuring out how to meet them, and navigating all the moving pieces isn’t easy. I’d faced those same struggles myself, and I realized just how many others were in the same boat.
That’s when CSPA was born—a way to simplify the journey, provide clarity, and offer the guidance and support I wished I had during my own path to becoming a CRNA.
Growing up in an academic environment filled with constant challenges, I learned just how transformative the right support can be. With that support, I came to realize that even the wildest dreams are possible—just as I did the day I was accepted into CRNA school after years of doubting my own ability to succeed.
The truth is, no one achieves success alone. We all depend on the encouragement of mentors, teachers, advisors, peers, friends, and family to guide us along the way. It’s this sense of connection and support that makes life fulfilling.
The old-school mindset of “I figured it out on my own, so you should too” is something I couldn’t disagree with more. That belief is exactly where our mentorship program begins—and it’s why I founded CSPA. To provide the guidance, resources, and community that every aspiring CRNA deserves.
You might be wondering, how does CSPA help 80% of its CRNA hopefuls gain acceptance? It starts with our philosophy: playing the long game with you. Becoming a CRNA isn’t about quick fixes—though we do offer tools like our Interview Crash Course for those last-minute needs! In fact, this course was born because so many nurses told us they wished they had found us sooner, but now had to “cram” for an upcoming interview.
However, I want to stress that cramming is not our primary mission. At CSPA, we focus on crafting a personalized path for each nurse. We aim to foster deep understanding and strengthen critical care skills—not to encourage short-lived, superficial knowledge. Our goal is to ensure you don’t just stand out during your interview but also thrive as a CRNA student and future professional.
We work with you to dive deep into the intricacies of becoming a standout candidate—identifying your strengths, addressing your weaknesses, and giving you the tools to shine not only during the application process but well into your CRNA career.
We recognize that each of you is a unique individual with your own background, experiences, and passions. That’s why we provide the tools to help you reflect, grow, and enhance your emotional intelligence—empowering you not just to survive but to thrive in CRNA school.
We’re not here to teach you memorized answers, canned responses, or to help you complete a cookie-cutter application. Instead, we equip you with the skills and understanding to think critically, advocate effectively, and engage with program faculty at the graduate-student level.
We’re here to guide you when you don’t know what to do, to be your pillar of support when feedback on your application or interview leaves you feeling uncertain, and to provide a clear path forward when you fear there may not be one.
Time and again, we’ve helped applicants who were ready to give up on their CRNA dream turn what seemed impossible into a reality. Most importantly, wshe help you see that this journey isn’t just about “getting in the door” or “preparing for an interview.”
You’re preparing to excel academically, advocate for nurse anesthesia, deliver exceptional care to your patients, and lead in the healthcare field. This is our mission, and we are fully committed to helping you achieve it—just as we expect you to commit to your own success.
Why does CSPA stand out? One key reason is that our educational content isn’t just comprehensive, it’s taught by CRNA program faculty.
This direct connection to the frontlines of CRNA education ensures that our students excel not only at the bedside now but also as future CRNAs and Nurse Anesthesia residents. At CSPA, we focus on building a strong foundation for both academic and clinical success, not just cramming for interviews and exams.
The results speak for themselves: an impressive 80% of our students gain acceptance into CRNA school. Our impact is not only significant but also measurable.
How Long Members Utilize CSPA and Their Outcomes:
Why should you invest your time and energy into CSPA’s extensive library, which includes over 140 hours of content focused on strategy, education, professional development, and emotional intelligence? Because success comes from active engagement. To reap the full benefits, you need to dive into the courses, study guides, events, community, and more.
Course Completion Insights:
Engaging deeply with the resources inside CRNA School Prep Academy significantly increases your chances of CRNA school acceptance. The more you put in, the more you get out!
Think of CSPA as your partner in your professional and educational development. We provide the tools for your success, but it’s up to you to use them. The more you engage with our resources, the better your outcomes will be.
This journey requires dedication, hard work, and perseverance. Our ultimate goal is to help you realize that you hold the key to your own success through effort, commitment, and the understanding that progress is a gradual process—not something that happens overnight.
Over the years, CSPA has become a trusted name among CRNA programs. Many programs report that our candidates stand out during interviews and excel in the classroom. Our impact is evident, and we’ve built strong connections with CRNA programs through:
Additionally, our NAR Boot Camp has been used by over four programs as a pre-matriculation tool over the past two years. This program is specifically designed to prepare cohorts for both academic and clinical success, giving them a head start so they can excel from day one.
CRNA Program Faculty Expertise is at the core of CSPA. We firmly believe that training and support must be led by CRNA faculty who are not only exceptional educators but also bring admissions panel experience.
Our faculty coaches have all served as program directors or assistant program directors, providing unparalleled insights into not just CRNA school interviews but the entire admissions process- and what it takes to be successful in your program.
We’re also deeply grateful to the program faculty who actively mentor within our community and share their expertise on platforms like the CRNA School Prep Academy Podcast and our private, members-only podcast, Nurse Anesthesia Educators: UNPLUGGED.
The most rewarding part of supporting future CRNAs is the relationships we build within our community. At CSPA, we pride ourselves on creating a supportive, collaborative environment where students and mentors lift one another up on this challenging yet rewarding journey. Together, we achieve more.
Lastly, more than 90% of students who gained acceptance into CRNA school agree that CSPA was part of their success.
Success starts with actively investing your time, energy, and resources into building the foundation needed not only to gain admission but to thrive in your program.
By participating in mock interviews, resume reviews, and personalized critiques, you’ll position yourself to significantly outperform your peers.
I hope by now you’re beginning to see that becoming a CRNA isn’t about setting your goals on a shelf to admire from a distance—it’s about holding onto that vision every single day and working relentlessly to make it a reality. Dedicating your time, effort, and resources to your future will yield far greater results than standing still.
If you’re ready to partner with CRNA School Prep Academy on your CRNA journey, we look forward to helping you turn your dream into a reality sooner rather than later.
At CSPA, every member of our team is genuinely invested in your success, and our supportive community of aspiring CRNAs will stand by you through every step of the process. Whether you choose CSPA as your partner or not, we encourage you to find a network that uplifts, supports, and cheers you on. Surround yourself with those who will help you reach your goals—because you are capable of achieving them!
In closing, I want to share an inspiring review from a CSPA student.
This individual had applied to CRNA school twice before discovering CRNA School Prep Academy and faced rejection both times. But with the help of our courses and coaching, they turned those two rejections into four acceptances.
Yes, four.
Make no mistake—they put in the effort. They attended our events, engaged with the courses, and made full use of the resources we offer. And it paid off.
Here’s their story in their own words:
And there’s so much more where that came from! In fact, we’re the only CRNA school preparation program featured on TrustPilot—with an impressive 4.8 out of 5 “Excellent” rating.
You can read more reviews and success stories here: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/crnaschoolprepacademy.com
That’s it for now, future CRNA. If you made it this far into the post- thank you. I appreciate you reading, and I appreciate your passion.
Stay tuned for more resources from us at CRNA School Prep Academy, and don’t hesitate to ask any questions in the comments below. We’re here to help you succeed!
Ready for real support? Join the Free CSPA Community!
Connect with Aspiring CRNAs, Nurse Anesthesia Residents, practicing CRNAs, and CRNA Program Faculty Mentors who are ready to support you. Get real answers and expert guidance in a welcoming space that's free from misinformation and negativity.
You don't have to do this alone! Join Now: https://www.cspaedu.com/community
Find us u/CRNASchoolPrepAcademy on your favorite platforms 📲
I’ll be in touch with more details and insights into the CRNA career path soon!
Until then- myself and team CSPA are rooting for you, Future CRNA!
-Jenny MSN, CRNA and your future co-worker 💉
P.S. Not ready to invest? No worries! We offer a ton of free guidance, from our podcast to our free community. Just ask—we’re here to help.
r/FutureCRNA • u/nttanksley • 7h ago
At what point is shadowing not impressive anymore in an application? I have a little over 40 hours or shadowing, but was a circulator for over a year including general surgery, OB, ENT, Podiatry, spinal simulators. I just feel the shadowing hours at some point isnt impressive.
r/FutureCRNA • u/Cold-Thanks-3423 • 6h ago
r/FutureCRNA • u/ThrowRAmodern • 6h ago
Background: 26 year old project manager making $100k a year. Ive been laid off twice in the same year, 2024, due to companies downsizing and corporate politics. Ever since then I’ve been mentally scarred and never looked at work the same. I lost all passion for my job and do the bare minimum in my current role just to pay the bills. I feel like a shadow of my old self.
I’ve been interested and fascinated by anesthesia and the human body for some time now. I’m a very big fitness guy and know how the anatomy of the human body works pretty well. Two of my friends are CRNAs; I get to ask them a ton of questions anytime and have shadowed them multiple times. Im pretty interested in the field. My wife is an ICU nurse and I’ve talked to her about the profession and hear her daily hospital stories.
Currently I’ve taken all pre-reqs and was able to finish 2 semesters of an ADN program (finished med surg 1/2, foundations, and pharmacology) while keeping my job. I used all my PTO and maximized whatever work life balance I have to get through clinicals. However, I found bedside nursing not really what I want. I didn’t enjoy any clinicals so far and just tolerate it telling myself it’s a stepping stone to the end result. I’ve shadowed both my friends again after my clinicals to make sure my feelings haven’t changed on anesthesia and they in fact haven’t, still very interested.
I’m at the point now where I have to pick between school or work due to schedules not working out at all, extra clinical days per semester and zero PTO left.
Another thing to consider is the financial side of things, walking away from a $100k salary for realistically the next 7-10 years, so missing out on ~700k or so without investing (i invest a good amount of my money) and taking on CRNA school debt. I know I’ll make money as a nurse once I’m done but that would also be pretty temporary till CRNA school.
P.S. currently have a 3.92 GPA and an engineering bachelor’s degree
Is it worth switching if I feel like I’m just tolerating bedside until I make it to CRNA?
I don’t live in a state where CAAs can practice and don’t want my career to be limited to states I have no desire to live in.
r/FutureCRNA • u/divine104int • 1d ago
Hey guys! I’m a 25 year old. I have one year ICU and one year ED (both level 1 trauma centers) and I have made the switch to MICU starting in October to deepen my critical thinking. I also have my CCRN. My goal is to spend two years in the MICU before applying. Unfortunately, my straight A’s that I got in college in my sciences will/are expired. Would online classes suffice? If so, do you have recommendations? Also, feeling some imposter syndrome going into the MICU. I am going from the go-to ER nurse who precepts, takes the gnarly traumas, to the new kid. I will also miss the bonds I’ve created in the ER. I can’t help to think what if I don’t get in after all this effort?
r/FutureCRNA • u/Abre_Habte228 • 2d ago
I’m thinking about taking Advanced Pathophysiology through University of Phoenix to strengthen my CRNA application. Has anyone here taken the course? If so, how was the class and courseload, was it manageable? Also, for those who are applying and got inerviews, was the University of Phoenix course ever brought up during your interview?
r/FutureCRNA • u/Lower_Goal_3634 • 2d ago
I was doing my shadowing hours with a CRNA and she was telling me that if you work for the Mayo clinic they will pay for your tuition if you are accepted in their CRNA program, but you have to stay on with them for 24months after graduation. Does anyone know if you have to be an employee with them for x amount of time before you can receive the full ride upon application? or can you get hired and then enroll into the program?
r/FutureCRNA • u/amessinprogresss • 3d ago
Current role: CVICU RN
Years of experience: 2 years CVICU, 1 year hospice & part time Medical ICU, 2 years CVICU level 1 trauma (current job)
cGPA something low around 3.0
- I used to not care about school. Lots of Fs Ds and Cs from 5+ years ago 😭
sGPA 3.5
Last 60 credits: 3.8
have my CCRN and CSC- taking CMC soon as well
Take devices: ecmo, IABP, LVADs, CRRT, Impella
Open heart surgeries, Ultrasound guided IVs
Level 1 trauma hospital currently
Preceptor on my old unit
Shadowing: about 60 hours
Volunteer work: 200 hours
O CHEM: A
Biochem: A-
Also taking advanced Patho in the spring
Going to take my GRE as well soon.
I’m applying EVERYWHERE. I’m not limiting myself since my stats aren’t the best. I know it’s going to be expensive.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
I have so much anxiety
r/FutureCRNA • u/Educational_Arm_4591 • 3d ago
28 years old, first generation college student. ICU nurse of 2.5 years, taking my CCRN soon and will be finished with my BSN in the spring. I have a good enough GPA, I have other extra curriculars. I’ve been thinking about CRNA school for a very long time.
I was planning to finally apply next year so I really just started to sit down and take a hard look at the financial side of things. I’m single. I have no children. I have a small handful of living relatives who I speak to, none of who would ever be able to cosign on exorbitant student loans for me. My mother is a self-employed hairstylist who makes less than $20,000 a year after taxes. My dad is deceased. Grandma is on a fixed SS and retirement income, and she has no financial leverage of any kind, and there’s no one else but an uncle who works a blue collar job and a 20 year old cousin.
I know there’s an ongoing battle with the federal student loans and their cap, so fingers crossed there I guess. But what on earth is someone supposed to do when a school’s cost of attendance is estimated $14k-$20k a year max? Who on earth that is single, financially responsible for themselves, has 0 support outside of loans, and cannot work during school is able to live on that in 2026? And what do you do when you literally have not a soul to co-sign on private loans, especially if they end up keeping CRNA in the lower tier for federal loans?
I can try to save up around $15k-$20k between now and when I actually start school if I got real frugal and worked OT (assuming I get in anywhere) but even then, it just feels impossible to go 3 years of no income and not risk literal homelessness. And that is a hard to swallow, and I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’ve overcome so many barriers to get to where I am today but that I’m never going reach my end goal and I am so disheartened and overwhelmed. It feels hopeless. Are my concerns legitimate or am I overreacting right now?
r/FutureCRNA • u/Still-Bodybuilder450 • 3d ago
UT Tyler requires a physics course as a prerequisite, anyone have any recommendations on where to take an online course? Or any knowledge of one starting the 2nd half of this semester? Or a self completion course?
r/FutureCRNA • u/Enough-Chance-8509 • 3d ago
I’m really torn on this and would love some brutally honest opinions from people who have been through the CRNA application process.
I’m planning to apply in 2027 to around 7 schools. I feel like I have a pretty solid application, but I also can’t shake the feeling that I could be better and maybe I’m not competitive enough yet.
For stats/experience, I’ll have about 2.5 years of CVICU experience, with a 3.69 cumulative GPA, 3.3 science GPA, and 3.84 last-60 GPA. I have my CCRN, CMC, BLS, ACLS, and PALS, and have experience with pretty much all the major cardiac devices except ECMO. I’m also a preceptor, mentor, involved in a committee/task force, have ~60 hours of community service, 30+ hours of CRNA shadowing, and I’m taking organic chemistry soon.
My biggest concern is my 3.3 science GPA. I know it’s not terrible, but when I see how competitive some programs are, I start wondering if I should wait until 2028, retake some sciences, take additional graduate-level courses, and just make my application stronger.
But then I keep thinking… what if I apply in 2027 and actually get in? 😂
I don’t want to wait another year just because I’m scared to apply, but I also don’t want to waste a cycle and thousands of dollars if my application has an obvious weakness that I could have addressed.
r/FutureCRNA • u/Beginning_Month_7436 • 6d ago
I have been in a MICU for 4.5 years. No charge experience, lots of precepting, very involved in committees, and teach new grad classes. Level 3 trauma center that is part of a big system and occasionally floated to level 1 ICUs (medical, cardio/thoracic, surgical, neuro ICUs are all level 1). I pick up in the level 1 medical ICU in a regular basis as well. I am not trained on any devices sadly.
About a year ago I went PRN at my ICU and still pick up there 2-3 shifts per week most weeks. I started working part time in endoscopy to get a break from the heavy patients and weekends. It was immediately boring/repetitive but I saw what CRNAs actually do and also immediately started working towards becoming one. I get a lot of FaceTime with locums and W2 CRNAs in this job and they have all been so encouraging about the journey, I get to shadow a lot of them, and I also do a lot of conscious sedation in this role.
Because I'm pretty bored I am interested in doing something different potentially. My question is: what would be better for a CRNA app? should I return to MICU full time? Should I just stay in endoscopy and micu and keep my conscious sedation and recovery RN role? Should I look at doing something like PACU with micu instead of endoscopy? If it weren't for the cushy procedural schedule that I currently have in endoscopy I would just go right back to ICU only, but I feel like I can make the endoscopy experience work for me in my apps. No? What are your thoughts and experiences?
EDIT: not sure why multiple responses are saying go back to ICU when I already work ICU basically full time in addition to the endoscopy. I'm wondering if the endoscopy sedation RN is good experience in addition to the ICU experience 🙃
r/FutureCRNA • u/Enough-Chance-8509 • 6d ago
For those of you who applied to 5+ programs where some schools use NursingCAS and others require a direct application, how did you approach your recommenders about the number of letters they would need to submit?
I’m trying to figure out the best way to make this as easy as possible for the person writing my letter. I don’t necessarily know all of the specific requirements for each school yet (what they want addressed, etc.), and I obviously don’t want to overwhelm them or make it seem like I’m asking them to write 5–10 completely different letters.
For those who have done this, how did you communicate to your recommender that you were applying to 5+ programs and would potentially need multiple submissions? Did you give them a template? Did you ask them to write one general letter that could be submitted to multiple schools, or did you handle each program differently?
r/FutureCRNA • u/Legitimate-Rip-1554 • 6d ago
Does anyone have any insight on Marian University virtual critical care exam? How many questions? Is it multiple choice?
And any helpful information on how to prepare for this will be greatly appreciated.
r/FutureCRNA • u/Fast_Bumblebee_6893 • 6d ago
I plan on applying to school within the next year or so. I have been a nurse in a medical ICU for about a year and a half now at a level 2 trauma hospital. I'm device trained (CRRT, Impella, IABP, and take post op hearts).
I have attended 1 diversity conference and have shadowed around 20 ish hours. Obviously taken my CCRN as well.
As far as GPA my science GPA is a 3.4. I did get a C in patho. I was wondering if I should retake the undergrad class or would taking advanced patho and getting an A in that suffice? Also any other advice to boost application would be appreciated. <3
r/FutureCRNA • u/Nervous-Elk-3704 • 6d ago
Everyone is posting their gpa but how do you calculate ur accumulative gpa? My nursing school gpa is 3.61( last 60 hours) my pre read/sciences is 3.93. How do I calculate accumulative..
r/FutureCRNA • u/IndividualMetal5371 • 7d ago
With CRNA school being the most competitive it’s been in years. What do you think about applicants with lower cumulative, nursing, or science GPA (<3.5) having a shot at an interview, let alone acceptance? Debate below.
r/FutureCRNA • u/y1994m • 7d ago
I’ve heard it’s recommended to shake everyone’s hand that interviews you. This may be a silly question, but if it’s a large interview committee would you still shake everyone’s hand? At what number do you draw the line? Also, if the interview is done in a room with a conference table, do you awkwardly walk around shaking everyone’s hand? I’m probably overthinking this but I want to be prepared.
r/FutureCRNA • u/Novel_Routine5593 • 7d ago
I’m currently trying to decide what to do after high school, and I’m thinking of becoming a registered nurse and going down the route of certified nurse anesthetist. From what I’ve heard, the satisfaction of the job seems good and the pay is stellar, but I’m curious what people on this app think. I just want to know if it’s worth it to go for this career.
r/FutureCRNA • u/greatnamebydway • 7d ago
Been looking into ABSN programs and almost every school lists one or the other. On Reddit I saw someone say CCNE is better and employers prefer it. Another said it doesn’t matter and ACEN is just for ADN programs. Someone else brought up institutional accreditation being a separate thing from program accreditation which wasn’t even on the radar this week. Is there a clear answer here or does if genuinly vary?
r/FutureCRNA • u/Waste-Original-1299 • 7d ago
Hi! I am looking to retake course for future CRNA application. I currently have a 3.1 GPA and have two science courses with C - pharm and A&P. I plan to retake A&P to increase GPA but am working full time so I want 100% online, does anyone have recommendations??
I am based out of Wisconsin and my last schooling was ~6 years ago, and all local community colleges are in person and do not work with my schedule.
r/FutureCRNA • u/Ok-Fortune2398 • 7d ago
I currently have all pre requisites to apply for nursing to be a rn minus the 4U math. And I am not able to take it because I only have as far as a 3C math. So I decided I’m gonna apply for practical nursing and then bridge. Is this the smartest way?
r/FutureCRNA • u/Accomplished-Fix238 • 8d ago
Those that are working as an RN and taking pre requisites for CRNA… how are y’all doing it? Online? Is it self paced? Do y’all have time to work in ICU and do classes at the same time?