CRNA Application Advice

Pipsy, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Mar 22

Hello! I can see how you may start to waiver, but do not give up! Your stats are impressive(good experience, strong extra-curriculars); perhaps maybe taking a graduate level class would boost your GPA even further? And show how serious you are. A class that you could transfer easily into your accepted program would be worthwhile(one of the three P's-physical assessment, pathophysiology, or advanced pharmacology). I would continue to reach out to the schools to find out exactly where they thought you might improve. Don't give up! You are serious about this and want to know how you can improve. And yes-I would say you should have more recent shadow experience. How many hours have you shadowed so far?

Yes- I think it's absolutely worth it to have someone other than family read your essays! Of course they will be partial 😁

I wouldnt switch ICUs. Most important is the quality of experience you are getting there. Are the pts higher acuity and are you getting lots of experience with vents, airways, titrating gtts, hemodynamic monitoring, and critical thinking scenarios?

There are so many great resources now more than ever for aspiring CRNAs! Personally I joined two groups that really helped me succeed(even through the journey of school). And there are many more! You can find them through social media(FB, Instagram, etc). Amanda Kay coaching group https://www.amandakaycrna.com/ and also CRNA prep academy (https://www.cspaedu.com). There are podcasts and YouTube resources as well. My two faves (even after becoming a CRNA) are Rhea Temmermand's Atomic Anesthesia https://atomicanesthesia.com/ and Chrissy Massaro @ confidentcareacademy.com

Stay strong! It's a long journey but incredibly worth it!! ❤️

EyeSeeYou3 · Mar 24

Pipsy,

Thanks for the kind and encouraging words! I have about 40 hours of shadow experience but just reached back out to my hospital's chief CRNA to see if they might have any more available days for me to come in and shadow! I've heard of CRNA prep academy but will be sure to check out Amanda Kay as well. Thanks again!

Trusted Brand · 2025-04-22T13:12:08Z

EyeSeeYou3 said:

Pipsy,

Thanks for the kind and encouraging words! I have about 40 hours of shadow experience but just reached back out to my hospital's chief CRNA to see if they might have any more available days for me to come in and shadow! I've heard of CRNA prep academy but will be sure to check out Amanda Kay as well. Thanks again!

Pipsy gave great advice in her reply-- 40 hours of shadowing is excellent and I'd recommend you consider putting your efforts into other aspects of her advice she shared.

How's the acuity at your unit? Are you getting "the sickest of the sick"? If not, then you need to focus there-- not necessarily switching units (then you have to start all over again) but getting hungry for and going after those tougher cases. Do you have supportive management? You don't HAVE to disclose you're going for CRNA, but you can absolutely indicate that you want to learn more/take on sicker patients if not.

(If you really are in an unsupportive unit, can't get leadership roles or higher acuity, THEN it may be worth considering a switch).

We now have a job board with high acuity positions around the country here: www.jobs.crnaschoolprepacademy.com

Also, as they mentioned already too- taking grad level classes may help; leadership roles will too.

Last question-- are you applying and not getting interviews? Or have you applied and gotten interviews?

We can help further once we hear back from you!

You GOT this-- don't give up!