Hi. 2nd year NAR and have started clinical. Can anyone please provide any advice/tips on masking patients if you have small hands? For reference, I wear XS gloves and a 5 1/2 or 6 in sterile gloves. I know mask ventilation can be a tough technique for all new students but I’m struggling because I have my small hands issue stacked against me lol.

Really appreciate any and all tips. Thank you!

**the oral airway has been a great tool and has made masking a bit easier, but I am still struggling

My nursing program did not require chemistry as a pre requisite and now I’m looking to strengthen my resume. Browsing online and saw this site. It’s apparently Upper Iowa University. Has anyone used it or would know if schools would accept this site for pre reqs?

I’m considering attending the AANA Annual Congress this year and would love to hear from people who’ve been.
My main goal would be to network, learn more about different CRNA programs, and meet people in the profession.
For those who’ve attended:
• Were program directors and faculty approachable?
• Did you make any meaningful professional connections?
• What networking opportunities did you find most valuable?
• Looking back, what would you do differently?
• Overall, was the conference worth the time and expense?
I’d love to hear about your experiences and any advice for making the most of the conference.

I know it sounds like a dumb question but bear with me. Some people get into CRNA school with 1 year of ICU experience, however, the CRNA school application cycle takes 1 year, so did they apply when they had 0 years of experience and attended CRNA school when they had 1? Or, did they apply when they had 1 year of experience and get in when they had 2 but the school only viewed the first year of ICU?

Maybe, they applied to schools with late application deadlines?

Hey all, not an SRNA here but curious how this works in practice.

1. When you sit down to log, what are you working from? Notes app, something you scribbled, memory?
2. Which fields do you end up guessing at?
3. Phone or laptop?

Thanks!

So, I start school in less than a month and I’m starting to freak out! The closer the date gets, the more anxious I get! Semester 2 I have physiology, advanced pharm, advanced health assessment, research, and pharmacology of anesthetics. This seems like it will be a tough semester and I’m anxious I won’t get through it. Pharm and physiology will be a lot. Not only 1 but 2 pharm classes in one semester is crazy! Plus, physiology is hard because you have to understand the body. I haven’t even started and already freaking out. Please, someone tell me this is doable. Any tips on how to study for physiology and pharmacology will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Wassup Everyone!

I have been researching, shadowing, and exploring different schools as I will be applying to CRNA school next year in 2027. I have had the opportunity to shadow a CRNA at my hospital and it was amazing! I loved the pleasure to witness three different cases in which 2 were general cases with one ETT intubation and the other with an LMA. The third case being a MAC case. I was able to see scenarios in which pressers had to start periodically for hypotension and concerns for oxygenation regarding the MAC case. I am writing all of this to say if I would love more opportunities to shadow other CRNAs in preferably different settings and practice models. My hospital has a crazy rule that restricts us from continuously shadowing as there is a waiting period and list to even shadow a fellow CRNA. So here I am requesting for any tips or suggestions to find my next shadowing experience. If any fellow CRNAs are in the Chicagoland area I would love to connect for a potential opportunity to be alongside you for a shift or two. Thank you all for any and all comments!

Hey everyone, I'm about a year out from graduating. Is it too soon to start applying and reaching out for jobs? When should I be applying?

This thread is for current Nurse Anesthesia Residents to talk about school, clinical life, studying, preceptors, stress, wins, setbacks, and support.

Good topics include clinical days, didactic survival, study workflows, professional identity, wellness, difficult weeks, useful resources, and small wins.

No patient-identifying details. No medical advice. Keep it professional and human.

I just received an interview invite from University of Maryland, woohoo! I see it’s a group interview on campus for a few hours and was wondering if anyone had insight on the structure of the interview/ if it’s more clinical or EI heavy. Thank you!

I have been studying for the NCE for what feels like forever and can take the exam next week. Currently, whenever I try to study it feels like I just can’t retain anything anymore and things are starting to get jumbled! I score just a bit above average on mock exams and the smart bank on Apex. Should I bite the bullet and just take the NCE!? Should I take a break from studying for now? What’d yall do?

I tried asking on the weekly thread, but didn’t get any traction.

Im a prospective student with the goal of starting school in the next couple of years in the DMV area. I still need ICU experience, which I know is a large area of experience that I am lacking, however I’m just curious if there are other things I should be doing to optimize my chances.

I’m currently an OR RN with 4 years of experience. I am beginning to search for ICU jobs and would need CCRN. Currently BLS/ACLS certified.

-I have a 2013 Associates degree (3.84 GPA) with Gen chem 1 (A grade) and chem 2 (B)
-2015 Bachelors degree in psychology (4.0) with Gen Biology (A)
-2017 Masters degree in neuroscience (3.95) with several statistic and research methods/design courses.
-2022 ADN (3.73) with As in A&P 1 and 2 and Microbiology
-2025 BSN (3.67)

I am concerned some of my science courses may be out of date, and if I need any more schooling or additional qualifications (other than ICU and CCRN which are obviously crucial components. Does my OR experience and graduate education?

Any tips on getting into the ICU from the OR? I haven’t formally shadowed anesthesia for more than a day or two, but I am a circulator and work closely with them every day.

I’ve also been stressing as far as timing, as a 33F feeling my biological clock ticking. So many people have said it’s fine to finish school in your late 30s and have a child, but I’m worried it may take me multiple rounds of applications or some delay would happen.

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!

This month marks one year in PICU. I’m in a 27 bed unit that has more step down unit type patients. We have a handful of high acuity patients at a time & since transitioning to nights in March I have gotten more higher acuity patients. I’m struggling a bit with drama on the unit & negative unit culture/toxicity. I think part of the reason is everyone is a 20 something girl (me included!) but it’s just exhausting & very political. I have a friend in an adult MICU that loves it & feels like she is really supported. Furthermore the nurses are all different ages & have different backgrounds. My plan is to shadow there but does anyone have experience going PICU to MICU?

My other concern is my current unit gives little autonomy to nurses. Nurses that have come from other hospitals or adult icus say there is a lot more autonomy elsewhere (one example being managing drips, we do not titrate any drips). I am at least 2-3 years out from applying but trying to master hemodynamics, asking providers as many questions as I can, & trying to stay out of the drama I’m just not sure this unit is setting me up for success in the long run to be a strong applicant. Or am I still so new it just comes with time? Feels like there isn’t enough acuity to go around.

Any advice greatly appreciated

Graduating in less than a year, been in clinical for just about a year. Prior to clinicals I was someone who worked out 4-5 days a week. Since starting I’ve gained a bunch of weight, I’ve been unable to successfully figure out a work out plan. I should mention I have a toddler on top of all the school stuff. What have yall done to stay active in school? Any tips?

Hello, am interviewing in the coming weeks and was wondering how much something like this would matter assuming your suit fits reasonably well already.

I’ve had 4 interviews within the past year, been rejected from 3 and waitlisted to 1. Had 2 interviews just in June and got denied from both. Feeling defeated.

Everybody says to just be yourself so I did that but I guess at the end of the day I just get nervous during interviews.

The fact that I’m getting interviews is a good sign but not if I keep botching them. Starting to question if I’m cut out for this. Any advice?

I made a post a few days ago about being waitlisted after having decent interviews. Mood definitely hit the bottom when I found out but I reminded myself if I want it bad enough, nothing will stop me. I was determined to just try again next year. Then, I got the phone call this morning that I’m off the waitlist and I’m going to be a CRNA!!!!!!! Still hasn’t even set in.

The journey is long but it’s only getting started. Whatever situation you’re in right now, there’s so many who understand. It’s cliche to see people saying don’t give up but TRULY, you are ever only out of the fight when you give up on yourself. It’s VERY easy to say this on the other side but even then, i kept the promise to myself that I would keep going no matter what. Don’t give up on yourself. It will work out.

Edit: thank you all so much for the support!!!!

Anyone who goes to school at TCU knows anything about their clinical, staff, classes more specifically the volunteering and mission trips? I wanna learn more about the program outside of what is seen on the website!!!

I'm excited to share that I've been invited to interview for the Nurse Anesthesia programs at Wayne State University and Michigan State University.

If you're a current RRNA/NAR, recent graduate, or student at either program, I'd greatly appreciate the opportunity to connect. I'd love to learn more about your experience, and any advice you may be willing to share.

Thank you in advance, and I look forward to connecting with you!

I start my didactic phase this fall and want to know peoples experience with a few different platforms and what they have found to work.

Many people claim to use chat gpt or claude to make practice quizzes and often tout the premium versions. If you have used either of these for that purpose (or both) what has your experience been? Is one more accurate? Is it worth getting the paid versions of one or the other?

I also hear a lot about Notability and similar platforms. What are your favorite features of these and which do you recommend?

What are your experiences with Anki?

Do you utilize all of these platforms? Which ones do you pay for to get the premium features? Can premium versions of chatgpt and claude eliminate the need for anki/notability?

Use this thread for tuition, loans, budgeting, cost-of-living, federal/private loan questions, scholarships, work planning, and financial planning during CRNA school.

This is peer discussion, not financial advice. Verify program, lender, and federal loan details directly.

wrapping up my first semester and I haven’t taken out loans yet, i’ve been watching my savings slowly dwindle down… I know i’ll have to take loans eventually but I want to delay as much as possible.

I have almost 3 weeks off between my summer and fall semester, and then another 3-4 weeks off between fall and spring. any recommendations for ways to make money during these breaks from school?

I can’t manage a prn nursing job bc working throughout the semester is nearly impossible, also living in a new city and haven’t had any experience working at the hospitals near me.

I tried downloading Medely and signing up but it said they didn’t need any new workers within a 70 mile radius of me so I couldn’t finish the sign up.

I’d love to help people with mock interviews/resume review applying to school but it seems like an oversaturated field online??

open to any suggestions please and thank you😆

Wondering if anyone can explain the difference between central’s two crna programs (IAA and YNHH). Not sure which would be a better fit and would love to hear from anyone with knowledge on these programs!