Best CRNA programs

The best advice is to speak to the program director and to students from the programs you are interested in. Every program is different in what they expect from applicants. The general AANA requirements are just the tip of the iceberg for some programs. Other programs may admit you with minimal qualifications but may not graduate every admitted student. This is the hardest part of the application process. Do a little homework and contact the programs you are interested in, then focus on their requirements. It took me a couple of extra years to figure this part out and full in my missing requirements. Good luck!

yes I did the same. I narrowed down the list to what I was looking for and found current or previous students to talk to. There is a lot of info from students on different forums to give you an idea. good luck

The AllCRNAschools.com website was my guide in looking for CRNA programs. You can organize your search by state, application deadline, tuition amount. Its a great site!

The all-crna-school site is a great place to start narrowing down schools for basic information, but be aware it is not completely accurate. I used it to locate the less expensive programs, but still went to individual websites as the tuition and expenses listed were at times incorrect. I would have to assume other information may not be up to date as well.

Also, do yourself a huge favor and do not simply pick a program just because it will accept you with only the minimum of critical care experience. Do some more research about what it takes to be a competent, independent provider and then seek out those programs. You are investing a lot of time and money into this, it's worth it to wait an extra year or two to get into the right (for you) program, not just the first one who will accept the bare minimum.

I wholeheartedly endorse my alma mater, St. Elizabeth Health Center/Youngstown State Univ School of Anesthesia in Youngstown Ohio. Not until some years after graduating did I come to realize that there can be GREAT disparity in clinical experience between programs. At the Youngstown program all clinicals are at the same site, a Level 1 Trauma Center with high risk OB, pediatric, heart, transplant, neuro, ortho, vascular, chest, outpatient, etc., etc. all under the same roof. You will far exceed ALL minimum numbers for ALL procedures. There are NO anesthesia residents and CRNA class size is limited. You will do as many regional anesthetics, central lines, nerve blocks as your heart desires. Tuition and cost of living in Youngstown is as low as it gets as an added bonus.

Definitely don't just pick a program because they've got easy to meet criteria for entrance, as already mentioned. Research around, see if you can find attrition rates/board pass rates, number and quality of clinical sites, time structure of courses/clinical, and other info that will really matter to you once you're in the program. You don't want to start a program and realize they've got a 60% first-time pass rate, 5 weak clinical sites and you have class 7 days a week.