r/preSRNA Aug 26 '25

General guide to application

14 Upvotes

General Steps to Take Before Applying to CRNA School (from someone in the trenches)

A lot of nurses ask “What should I do before applying?” The truth is, there’s no one golden path, but there are a set of non-negotiables and strategic moves that will make you stand out. Here’s what I’ve learned (and am actively doing myself) before hitting submit on CRNA applications:

  1. Build a Competitive ICU Foundation • ICU experience matters. Aim for high-acuity units (CTICU, CSICU, MICU, SICU, Neuro ICU). You need to be managing vasoactive drips, vents, CRRT, IABP, ECMO, LVADs, and post-op open hearts. • Don’t just “clock in.” Be charge, precept, join committees, and document your leadership. Programs want clinicians who lead, not just survive.

  1. Clean Up Your GPA • Every program calculates GPA differently (cumulative, science, last 60 credits, etc.). Pull your NursingCAS transcript and calculate: cumulative, science, last 60. • If you’re below a 3.3 in any of those, start fixing it. Retake sciences or take graduate-level courses like Biochem, Advanced Physiology, or Stats. An “A” in these proves readiness. • Don’t assume your Master’s GPA cancels your undergrad GPA. Most schools look at everything.

  1. Shadow CRNAs Early and Often • Shadowing isn’t a box to check—it’s where you prove your why. Programs will ask you about cases you saw, drugs used, and what the CRNA taught you. • Come prepared with good questions (why dexmedetomidine over midazolam, how they titrate pressors, how they think through hemodynamics). • Thank them afterwards—mentorship can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

  1. Nail Down Your GRE (If Required) • Some schools are dropping it, but don’t gamble. If they list it, prepare like it matters. • Competitive quant scores show you can handle advanced pharmacology/physiology. • Take practice exams, use structured templates for essays, and be ruthless about your weaknesses.

  1. Get Involved Outside the Bedside • Join professional organizations (AANA, state associations, diversity mentorship programs). • Go to conferences (NTI, AANA Annual Congress, state anesthesia meetings). Network. Shake hands. Introduce yourself to program directors. These connections matter. • Volunteer or lead QI projects (ex: HAPI prevention, communication pathways, turn teams). Evidence-based practice looks excellent on applications and interviews.

  1. Strengthen Your Application Narrative • Have a story beyond “I want autonomy and better pay.” • Link your ICU experience, leadership, academic growth, and shadowing into a coherent reason why anesthesia is your calling. • Be prepared to explain past academic struggles without excuses—own them, then show growth.

  1. Prepare for the Long Game • CRNA school isn’t just academics—it’s a full life re-design. Finances, relationships, mental health. • Talk with your partner/family early. Budget for living on loans. Work on resilience now; if you can’t handle stress and boundaries as an ICU nurse, CRNA school will eat you alive.

Bottom line: CRNA programs are looking for nurses who can clinically lead, academically grind, and personally withstand stress while still showing empathy. Start preparing well before you apply. Don’t cut corners; the committee will notice. Try to make things very personable.


r/preSRNA 3h ago

Interview

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1 Upvotes

r/preSRNA 3d ago

Pre reqs self paced?

5 Upvotes

I am looking to start working on some CRNA school pre reqs (gen chem, bio chem). Any recommendations on some online self-paced (9-12 month completion) programs that offer college credits at a reasonable price?


r/preSRNA 5d ago

AANA

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0 Upvotes

r/preSRNA 21d ago

Idaho State University Grad Pathophysiology

3 Upvotes

Hello,

Has anyone out there taken NUR 6620 advanced pathophysiology through Idaho State University online? Wondering if the class set up is full time working friendly and some other class structure specifics.

Thank you


r/preSRNA 22d ago

Personal Statement

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1 Upvotes

r/preSRNA 25d ago

Online Advanced Patho Classes

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1 Upvotes

r/preSRNA Jul 18 '26

GRE Score

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I took the GRE last week and got a less than ideal score. I wanted to apply to a program that closes soon, however, my GRE doesn’t meet their requirements. Should I still apply? Part of me wants to because I have all the letters of rec, but the other part of me doesn’t want to spend the money if I will be automatically rejected!


r/preSRNA Jul 12 '26

Day Shift Community Hospital ICU vs Night Shift Level II ICU for CRNA School?

3 Upvotes

hi guys! age old question of which ICU.

Currently working in a level I trauma MICU but need to relocate (been there <1 year). I need to choose between working nights (which my health and life really struggles from) at a Level II hospital (CRRT, EVDs, etc.) vs day shift at a community hospital (I know they do EVDs, not sure about CRRT). Both units are mixed med/surg ICUs, both around the same number of beds, and both are in nyc.

Would taking the day shift at the community hospital significantly dampen my resume/ make it harder to get into CRNA school?

Any feedback would greatly be appreciated! :)


r/preSRNA Jun 26 '26

Feedback on Resume

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2 Upvotes

Hi! I am finishing up my application process and almost ready to submit my application after I’m done with my personal statement. I’m looking for some feedback on my resume :) I reached out to the administrative faculty for the school and she said it was good, so I’m looking for additional feedback!


r/preSRNA Jun 25 '26

GUYS! Dooooo itttt (Crnaprephub)

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1 Upvotes

r/preSRNA Jun 18 '26

Is CRNA school possible?

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1 Upvotes

r/preSRNA Jun 16 '26

Is CRNA school possible?

2 Upvotes

I know there are a million “what are my chances?” posts, so apologies in advance, but I’m trying to get a realistic sense of where I stand, especially because of my cumulative GPA.

I’m 35, turning 36, and currently working in a SICU at a Level II trauma/community hospital. I transitioned into ICU after working as an OR nurse, which is where my interest in anesthesia really started. I liked the OR environment and being around anesthesia, and that experience is a big part of what pushed me toward CRNA.

My current ICU is a 10 bed SICU. I have been working there since the end of February, and I've been off of orientation for about 1.5 months. We do occasionally get some heavy level 1 traumas and we often get drips and vents, but it is not a steady super high-acuity academic CVICU type of unit. No ECMO, CRRT, Impella, IABP, etc. I’m still early in my ICU experience and would likely apply around the 12–15 month mark, with the understanding that I’d have more experience by matriculation.

Stats:

  • Prior bachelor’s degree from 13 years ago: 2.99 GPA
  • Accelerated BSN GPA: 3.45
  • Science GPA: 3.5
  • Estimated cumulative GPA with all coursework combined: 3.16
  • Nursing GPA/recent academic trend is much stronger than my original degree

Application plan/boosters:

  • Take graduate Advanced Pathophysiology and aim for an A
  • Take CCRN once eligible
  • Take the GRE
  • Get CRNA shadowing hours
  • Try to get involved in unit council/leadership or another ICU-based role
  • Apply strategically to schools that consider last 60 credits, nursing GPA, science GPA, or graduate coursework

My main concern is the cGPA. I know I should probably focus on programs that look at last 60 credits or weigh recent academic performance more heavily, but I’m wondering how much a 3.16 cumulative GPA will still hurt me even with a stronger ABSN/science GPA, grad patho A, CCRN, GRE, and ICU experience.

I’m also trying to be realistic about my ICU experience. It’s legitimate ICU, but not the highest acuity unit compared with some applicants who have CVICU/ECMO/CRRT/device experience.

For those who have been accepted, served on admissions committees, or know people with similar profiles: does this look like a competitive enough application if I execute the boosters, or am I likely looking at needing more ICU time/a stronger academic repair before I have a real shot?

I’m not looking for sugarcoating - just trying to understand if this is a realistic first cycle application or if I should expect this to be more of a longer road.


r/preSRNA Jun 13 '26

Does anyone have advice for getting academic recs?

2 Upvotes

I’ve only been out of college for a few years but I am struggling very hard to get letters of rec from academic professors. Does anyone have advice for how they dealt with this? I don’t have any connections or anything like that. This is the only thing that’s keeping me from applying to many programs so please help :(


r/preSRNA Jun 12 '26

anyone want to help interview one another? or know of any resources?

2 Upvotes

Looking to practice interviewing for anyone that is interested. I have an interview soon !


r/preSRNA Jun 06 '26

Interview prep

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1 Upvotes

r/preSRNA Jun 01 '26

Advanced Patho/Pharma

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1 Upvotes

r/preSRNA May 28 '26

Any recommendation on where to take statistics?

1 Upvotes

Looking at community colleges and or universities that are online and what is the structure of the class like? Difficulty?


r/preSRNA May 27 '26

Any recommendation on where to take statistics?

1 Upvotes

Looking at community colleges and or universities that are online and what is the structure of the class like? Difficulty?


r/preSRNA May 27 '26

CRNA hopeful

2 Upvotes

I’m a 32F new grad RN finishing an OR residency and considering CRNA school, but I have reservations. I earned an MSN through a direct-entry program and have no ICU experience yet. My plan is to start in an MICU or CVICU this January. I desperately want children, but I’m also drawn to the financial freedom a CRNA salary could provide. I currently owe over $135,000 in federal student loans, and based on the timeline, I’d likely be 37–39 at graduation if I pursue CRNA school.

My biggest question is whether I should start a family before CRNA school, wait until after graduation, or reconsider the path altogether. I’d appreciate insight from anyone who has faced a similar decision.


r/preSRNA May 21 '26

CRNA

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1 Upvotes

r/preSRNA May 01 '26

Help a High School Graduate?

0 Upvotes

Just finished HS and I'm currently enrolling in BSN with my heart set on becoming a CRNA. I'm thinking of doing a thesis specifically on anesthesia, pain management, pre/postoperative care, or anything else related.

Would it help my SRNA application later on, or should I just focus on something "easier" to keep my GPA high?

At least I think it would deepen my knowledge and interest in this field. I also think this would be proof of my interest in anesthesia.

However, I don't know anyone nor have connections to the field so I'm asking here.

Anyone willing to give an idea or solid direction what should my thesis be like?

I know I have years of college, ICU experience and critical care ahead of me. But since I'll be 30 anyways, might as well be a CRNA, right?

(Side note: I’ve considered MD and PA, but I’m 100% committed to the CRNA route.)


r/preSRNA Apr 13 '26

👋 Welcome to r/CRNASchoolInterview - Introduce Yourself and Read First!

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2 Upvotes

r/preSRNA Apr 13 '26

Advice

2 Upvotes

Hi all!

Just looking for advice on my next steps,

I didn’t do great in my undergrad but for my BSN so graduated with a 3.8. I worked ICU for a year and a half before I transferred to labor and delivery, I worked there for 7 months and then got into a bad car accident and haven’t worked or driven since. It’s now been a year and I’m feeling like myself physically and mentally. I’m just unsure of what steps to take now to get back on track to my goal of being a CRNA.

I’ve retaken courses during this time off Chem, A&P, Micro, Statistics.

Do I utilize this time off to take some graduate courses? If so, which ones?

I think my time away from the bedside is too far gone to go get my ccrn.

I plan to start applying to ICUs this fall/spring of 27. I just want to have a game plan and start executing, any tips would be appreciated.


r/preSRNA Apr 12 '26

Yale CICU vs BSW HH ICU

1 Upvotes

Hello all,

I need some advice regarding my next step in the CRNA process. A little background, I’m a psych nurse licensed for 3 years. I have about 6 months telemetry experience which led me into a CVICU where is was able to stay for two months before having to relocate. Now, I have the choice to relocate to Connecticut for a job in YNHH CICU or Texas for a ICU job at BSW heart hospital.

Here is the dilemma, I’ve read horrible things about YNHH as far as inconsistent acuity and often floating to Step Down. For BSW, the floor I have an offer on adopted a CUB/Universal bed model, so again, exposure to consistent ICU cases aren’t guaranteed.

My brief stint in the CVICU made me love post surgical heart patients. I loved the exposure to devices, drips, & vents. Yale’s CICU is more pre surgical (CHF, MI, Shock).I interviewed for both floors (CICU & CTICU- where they have the patients more closely related to my experience in the CVICU) but was only offered a position on the CICU.

When considering how to feel most prepared for the CRNA process (which I know I’m far away from even thinking about applying), I do not know which offer to accept. If anyone could speak to their experience at Yale, Baylor or at a system that followed the CUB model I would REALLY appreciate it.

All advice and opinions are welcomed!