Ask me anything (CRNA)

[Guest908919]

Hi all - I recently graduated and passed boards! If anyone has any questions on anything related to CRNA school or nurse anesthesia , feel free to ask. Good luck to everyone on their applications and journeys towards becoming a nurse anesthetist! It's hard work, but definitely worth it. 

[futur0_nurs]

Thank you so much for offering! Can you tell us a bit more about your path? I saw you went to LSU?

[Guest908919]

Sure! I did a pretty direct route to nurse anesthesia - 4 years of undergrad, 3 years of ICU (peds and adult), and then was accepted at LSU for my BSN-DNP. It was the only school I applied to, for personal reasons/distance, but I tried to ensure my app was as strong as possible before applying. Plenty of people I know of had to reapply at least once to get in, but in the end everyone gets the same degree! 

In undergrad I had at 3.95 GPA, history of volunteer work, and all the credentialing exams I could find (CCRN, CPN, TNCC, NRP, ACLS, etc.)

I can't speak too much on the interview experiences of other programs, but at LSU they want to know that you have a good foundational understanding of drips, managing critically ill patients, etc. and that you are motivated enough to see through the course. It's definitely a challenging 3 years - and unique to LSU is that we travel to a different clinical site every 2 months (which can be nerve-wracking in terms of new equipment, new hospital layouts, new staff, etc.) but it sets you up great for practice. We do have sites outside of Louisiana, as well, so travel can be tiring sometimes too. 

LSU's program has a year of 100% classroom based learning, prior to entering clinical. Then we have clinical 4 days a week + class 1 day a week for the rest of the program. I really liked this setup because it keeps the information you learn fresh in your brain, while also building on it in the clinical environment.

[futur0_nurs]

Super helpful, thank you!

You have quite the resume and specifically your GPA is really strong. Maybe tough to answer, but any idea as to what the floor GPA is for entrance into LSU or similar programs (assuming one is strong in other areas)?

[Guest908919]

I don't know specifics, but you can check out their program statistics.

https://nursing.lsuhsc.edu/nap/statistics.aspx

Average incoming GPA is roughly 3.40. I think having CCRN is important for CRNA applications as well. I would say having somewhere around the average would be a good ball park to aim for! LSU (and I'm assuming most CRNA programs) require you to pass all courses with a B or higher, so being a good test taker / having good study habits is important in achieving success. 

[Zikora]

Hello,

I am about to start masters entry to nursing and just recently started looking into doing the program online. I intend to go to CRNA school much later and want to make the best decision as far as making the best grades while I keep my job. is online nursing program with in person clinical worth it or go in person? The challenge here is that I want to keep my job while in school.

thanks 

[Guest908919]

I'm honestly not sure, but I would say as long as you gain a strong enough foundation to enter/succeed in critical care nursing, then it should be fine for CRNA school. A lot of what you learn for ICU nursing is from on-the-job orientation training, etc. (building on fundamental topics from school). 

[Name, BSN, RN]

Hi. I just applied to 2 schools that o hear they ask about politics of CRNA. I have checked AANA website but couldn't find it . Can you hook me up or send a link? Also if you have tips you used to prepare for interviews. Thanks 

[ICURNHI]

Hi there ! Congratulations on passing boards ! I just got accepted into UMiami to start in Jan. Any recs on what courses or podcasts, anything I can take/listen to to prepare for first semester? 

[Guest908919]

Name said:

Hi. I just applied to 2 schools that o hear they ask about politics of CRNA. I have checked AANA website but couldn't find it . Can you hook me up or send a link? Also if you have tips you used to prepare for interviews. Thanks 

They may be referring to physician supervision requirements. Try looking into "opt out states" (Delaware is the most recent one) - these states allow CRNAs to practice autonomously/to the fullest extent of their training. 

https://www.aana.com/news/delaware-opts-out-of-physician-supervision-of-crnas/

 

For interviews, make sure you can speak on your patient population (pediatrics, cardiac, neuro, etc.), common drips and meds you use/titrate, basic and invasive monitoring (a-lines, CVP, etc.), preload, after load, SVR as applicable. I would also recommend looking into what makes different programs unique, so that if they ask you "why us" you have a good answer! Good luck!

[Guest908919]

ICURNHI said:

Hi there ! Congratulations on passing boards ! I just got accepted into UMiami to start in Jan. Any recs on what courses or podcasts, anything I can take/listen to to prepare for first semester? 

Thank you! And congratulations on your acceptance at UM! Most people would probably advise you to enjoy your time off before you start - you'll learn everything you need to know while in the program and in clinicals (although we never really stop learning!) If you want to, you could brush up on physiology (mainly cardiac, respiratory, autonomic nervous system) and pharmacology (vasoactive meds - what receptors they hit, MOA, etc.) 

In school, I really liked the "Core Anesthesia" and "From the Head of the Bed" - aka "Anesthesia Guidebook" podcasts. Not sure how applicable they are before starting school, though!

Good luck!

[TLB3211]

futur0_nurs said:

Super helpful, thank you!

You have quite the resume and specifically your GPA is really strong. Maybe tough to answer, but any idea as to what the floor GPA is for entrance into LSU or similar programs (assuming one is strong in other areas)?

Not OP, but from what I can find it looks like their average GPA is a 3.49