This website was very helpful when I was at the beginnings stages of applying for CRNA school. I appreciated the fact that there were so many SRNAs and CRNAs who are willing to help you out in terms of application, what to expect, financial considerations and such. And so, I decided to return the favor and put up this post to those aspiring CRNA applicants or even those already in the program. I do not claim to know everything there is to know but I can assure you I will give you my very honest opinion.
So to start, I want to share with you all a little bit about myself and the current program that I am in. I am 28 years old, living in Texas and nearing the end of the 1st year in CRNA school. I had more than 5 years of varied ICU experience before applying for the program I am enrolled in now which really only required 1 year but preferred 2 (and this will be the case for MOST CRNA schools). The program I am is a 3-year BSN-DNP program. It's front-loaded and so I am taking all the required coursework before I can start clinicals (which I am so excited about!). Truthfully, CRNA school is a real challenge (as most of you have already heard/read) but it is doable given the proper time management and determination. I believe anyone can do this, whether you are single or with kids.
And so, feel free to comment on this post or send me a private message and I will do my best to help you in whatever way I can. Thank you and good luck to all!
Do Texas CRNA schools prefer In-state applicants to your knowledge? My husband and I are moving to the Houston area this spring and I'd like to apply in July. I'm sure you have been asked about your stats going into school, do you mind if I ask yours? I know there is more that goes into being a successful applicant but good stats will help in getting an interview. I've got 2 years experience in a level 1 CVICU, CCRN, 3.5 nursing GPA and I'm taking the GRE soon.
Congratulations on graduating! Financial concerns are one of the top reasons for people opting out of CRNA school. Before you decide on which route to take, I highly recommend you shadow both a CRNA and an NP. CRNA is a very demanding program and so you really have to want it so that you don't regret your decision. Once you graduate and get a solid experience (I recommend 2 years), you will have enough time to save and really solidify your reasons in choosing whichever program. I honestly don't think you can be 100% financially ready for this program. However, I do think that with student loans that are offered and a very minimalistic lifestyle, it can be done. Goodluck!
When I applied to programs, I only applied to one Texas program. My other options were going out-of-state due to family reasons. But based on my experience and the cohort I am with now, it seems like you do have a slight edge over other out-of-state applicants if you are a Texas resident. However, I would not be discouraged in applying if you are not. If you have strong qualifications, you can still easily secure a spot in the program. My personal opinion in saying that you would have a slight advantage is that I think CRNA school do not want you to go through the additional stress of relocating and paying the higher out-of-state tuition fees (refer to my post above regarding financial issues in CRNA school). Again, this is my PERSONAL opinion. I do not know the exact reasons of admission committees on who and how they choose their candidates. This is purely an observation made at the time of my application.
Based on your credentials, you have a sure shot of getting an interview. And from there, everything is fair game. I cannot stress this enough. The interview makes or breaks you. It is the biggest deciding factor of admission committees, and I found this to be true in most CRNA schools. And this makes sense because credentials get you an interview but it is how you present yourself in a very stressful situation that will truly set you apart from the hundreds of applicants. They want to see how you respond to stress because this is exactly what you are signing up for: a high-risk and stressful profession.
My stats upon application were:
GPA 3.74, GRE: 4.0, 155 and 159, almost 6 years total ICU (varied units), CCRN, CVRN and all other minor certifications (which they said they never really look at. haha)
That is really good info to know. I have shadowed both and what I heard from multiple CRNAs is how much they loved their autonomy and that the majority of their cases were very routine and low stress (sounds amazing for down the road--I would love to work hard with my brain eventually, and not my body like I do on the floor now). The NPs on the other hand seemed to be torn in multiple directions in the hospitals, and in the clinics they could not keep up with appointments. I will definitely keep shadowing and gaining insight from both perspectives.
Last question for you: I have heard that most workplaces don't reimburse any tuition for CRNA school yet. Have you found this to be true? I would think that if you committed to working for them for x amount of years afterwards that they would help you out!
This posting has really lots of informations. Thank you texanRN0415!
I have one question! Did you have CRNA shadowing experiences before apply? Actually I just start to find CRNA shadowing opportunity, but I guess it is not easy.
@Leo135: I'm not anything yet, but I am interested in the CRNA route at some point. One of my good friends is the head of an anesthesiology group in my city (in TX), and she and I have talked about your tuition question. I can obviously only speak for her group. They have never agreed to pay anyone's tuition, but they do offer a fairly large bonus when you sign on. In their minds, that is to help compensate for some of the cost of CRNA school. I'm not sure how much variation there is on that issue, but I thought I'd share that info since I happen to know with certainty how at least one group handles it.
I apologize for the delay in response. I was trying to catch up on school work during the weekend. Anyway, as far as I know, it is not common for your employer to reimburse your tuition for CRNA school. However, I do know that some government and non-profit hospitals offer what's called a loan forgiveness program. I am not sure on the exact details but it does offer some assistance in terms of paying off your loan. If I get firsthand information regarding this once I am in clinicals, I will definitely update you! This is also something I personally look into with regards to my choice of employment.
I am glad you found this post to be helpful. That was really my main intention for putting this out there :) To answer your question, yes, I did shadow a CRNA before I applied to CRNA school. It was not required for my program but highly encouraged. Shadowing was really more of a personal preference for me because I did not want to commit to a profession that I was not sure of. I do encourage all those potential applicants to shadow! It speaks volumes of how committed you are in becoming a CRNA and it can help reinforce your decision. I always knew I wanted to take on this route, but seeing CRNAs do their job pushes me more! In those long days where I have to sit and study 10-12 hours, I recall those moments of shadowing and the reasons why I was here in the first place.
First year, third semester of CRNA school...I still work ~40hrs/2weeks. I am not a typical CRNA student though..i will say I am more laid back and not very easily stressed. I have a very wonderful partner who helps out with the kids so I am able to work . I still work to pay bills/pay down student loans because I do not want to live solely on student loans because then CRNA school will make no sense if I graduate with 150k debt as I was making ~100k as a nurse.
Everyone is different, My program is front loaded and I have students wishing they did not outright quit their jobs when school started.
Good luck and stay positive ( very important) whatever path you choose.
Thanks for the info AllIcanbe! I plan on working until I absolutely can't. I'm not married so I don't have a spouse to help me out. It looks like I would just have to save up all I can before classes start in 2.5 months. It's just daunting to think about not working for 3 years as I am enrolled in a DNP program.
BCCCRN
6 Posts
Hi There TexanRNj0415,
Do Texas CRNA schools prefer In-state applicants to your knowledge? My husband and I are moving to the Houston area this spring and I'd like to apply in July. I'm sure you have been asked about your stats going into school, do you mind if I ask yours? I know there is more that goes into being a successful applicant but good stats will help in getting an interview. I've got 2 years experience in a level 1 CVICU, CCRN, 3.5 nursing GPA and I'm taking the GRE soon.
Thanks for your insight!