How do I choose a CRNA program right for me

TheguyRN · May 23, 2014

You really didn't give us anything to help you narrow it down with?

1) MSN or DNP programs?

2) Do you want to take the GRE? (there are very few schools that dont require this)

3) Do you want to take ochem or biochem (some schools require one of the other?)

4) Where are you looking on going? Denver doesnt have a school but they do have a distance site with TWU in Texas..

5) Are you even in the ICU?

6) Did you get all the necessary certifications?

7) When are you looking at applying?

8) Most important, why do you want to be a crna and have you shadowed one to see if it's actually what you want to do? The program is hard so be prepared...

CowboyMedic, DNP, APRN, CRNA · May 25, 2014

CRNA Schools, probably has the most up to date information on all the schools out there.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · May 31, 2014

I took the entire program list from the AANA website and weeded it down. It took me a lllooooonnnngggg time! Years at the rate I went actually. But I couldn't have applied any earlier so that doesn't matter for me. I took places off the list that were in areas I did not want to live with my family, I took off schools that were super expensive. I personally did not want to go to a school that was really short or really long....also didn't want a ton of nursing history and diagnosis, etc classes. Many schools have a few or like 7 of these! I wanted a science based curriculum. Did the school have a cut off for how old my science classes were? etc

After that I looked at each program more in depth, how many clinical sites? How far from the school? Would I have to get my RN license for more than one state? Did they provide housing at distance sites? etc etc Then I would search around the web to see what info I could find from students at the schools. I was able to find recent grads from a lot of schools that I emailed, etc. A few schools I even contacted to get into from their current students or recent grads, most places were more than happy to connect me with someone. Anyway, it all depends on what's important to you. As you read about schools, that will help you narrow it down.

good luck

CPhT2RNstudent · Jun 4, 2014

When will you apply?

Screen name · Jun 6, 2014

You want to know if your practice or experience will be restricted in a certain area. Look to see if the state is "CRNA friendly". Then look at schools clinical sites. You can search to see if you compete with residents for cases or if SRNAs are restricted by MDAs as to what they can and can't do.