SRNA and/or CRNA - Information for Future School Applicants

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Hi all! There were so many people who helped me on my journey into CRNA school so, as an SRNA/RRNA, I want to pay it forward and help anyone who has questions or needs advice on stats, interviews, school, etc. It can be a very competitive and sometimes discouraging process but BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! You will get here when it's your time and you won't look back. ? Hang in there!

Specializes in CVICU.

@CRNA School Prep Academy hello! I have been looking at your program online as well. Applications open up in June and late fall for my program. I wasn't sure if I was too late to do your program or not. 
 

I have more involvement in the CVICU. I was a tech prior for 3 years and then a nurse. I was invited to every "round table" meeting personally with the CNO and CEO of the hospital to discuss changes in our unit. I will definitely highlight this experience. 
 

I am traveling in the same state that I will apply to  and the school also owns the hospital I work at. I actually have been there for 6 months in the same unit and I have some extreme examples of very high acuity patients. My patient in the PCU, I called a rapid and initiated a code and had drugs pushed at beside well before the doctors arrived and I feel that experience and feedback I received can speak to acuity just floating PCU one day. My ICU patients have been majority higher acuity on multiple drips. I have also provided education to nurses in the MICU on swans! 

For my interview, I feel if I can just get my application to the interview I can do well! 

Thank you again for your reply!! 

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Specializes in Nurse Mentoring & Tutoring.
Mtucker0113 said:

@CRNA School Prep Academy hello! I have been looking at your program online as well. Applications open up in June and late fall for my program. I wasn't sure if I was too late to do your program or not. 
 

I have more involvement in the CVICU. I was a tech prior for 3 years and then a nurse. I was invited to every "round table" meeting personally with the CNO and CEO of the hospital to discuss changes in our unit. I will definitely highlight this experience. 
 

I am traveling in the same state that I will apply to  and the school also owns the hospital I work at. I actually have been there for 6 months in the same unit and I have some extreme examples of very high acuity patients. My patient in the PCU, I called a rapid and initiated a code and had drugs pushed at beside well before the doctors arrived and I feel that experience and feedback I received can speak to acuity just floating PCU one day. My ICU patients have been majority higher acuity on multiple drips. I have also provided education to nurses in the MICU on swans! 

For my interview, I feel if I can just get my application to the interview I can do well! 

Thank you again for your reply!! 

Way to go! Those are all awesome things to ensure you highlight on resume, personal statement and interview. 

And no- it's not too late to start using our tools! We offer monthly options, a new 6 Month Intensive and more. 

As you mentioned-- the application gets you the interview, and the interview is what gets you accepted! We specialize in helping you with both, and no canned answers. In fact, our interview prep (taught by program faculty mentors with literally thousands of interviews under their belt) will teach you how to engage with faculty during the interview, how to showcase your critical care knowledge, and what to do when they push you to your limit and you DON'T know the answer. 

We'd love to see you inside! You can join here: www.cspaedu.com/join 

Cheers to your future!! You got this!! 

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Specializes in SICU, MICU, CCU, CTICU.

Hello!

I recently received my first rejection because my Capella RN to BSN bridge degree was considered "pass/fail." This program, called FlexPath, allowed me to progress at my own pace and resulted in a competency-based transcript. An official 4.0 scale transcript is available upon request.

Previously, I was an associate-prepared nurse with a 4.0 GPA in hard sciences and a 3.6 cumulative GPA. Despite this, I was quickly rejected, and their explanation so far points to my BSN. I'm waiting for the interviews to conclude so I can discuss my shortcomings with them. This school was my first choice, and its location was convenient for me.

Now, I'm reapplying to schools across the country to improve my chances. I'm retaking some classes, not to boost my GPA but to meet specific requirements and hopefully mitigate concerns about my BSN.

I've just joined Diversity CRNA and plan to attend one of their events. Additionally, I'm planning to attend the AANA Annual Congress in San Diego this August. Although RNs can't earn CEs or attend certain panels exclusive to CRNAs/SRNAs, I confirmed with the AANA that I can still participate.

The cost to attend is at least $1,500 with airfare and accommodations. Is it worth going the extra mile? I attended a virtual AANA event last year and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Nurse Mentoring & Tutoring.
ICURN2CRNA_ said:

Hello!

I recently received my first rejection because my Capella RN to BSN bridge degree was considered "pass/fail." This program, called FlexPath, allowed me to progress at my own pace and resulted in a competency-based transcript. An official 4.0 scale transcript is available upon request.

Previously, I was an associate-prepared nurse with a 4.0 GPA in hard sciences and a 3.6 cumulative GPA. Despite this, I was quickly rejected, and their explanation so far points to my BSN. I'm waiting for the interviews to conclude so I can discuss my shortcomings with them. This school was my first choice, and its location was convenient for me.

Now, I'm reapplying to schools across the country to improve my chances. I'm retaking some classes, not to boost my GPA but to meet specific requirements and hopefully mitigate concerns about my BSN.

I've just joined Diversity CRNA and plan to attend one of their events. Additionally, I'm planning to attend the AANA Annual Congress in San Diego this August. Although RNs can't earn CEs or attend certain panels exclusive to CRNAs/SRNAs, I confirmed with the AANA that I can still participate.

The cost to attend is at least $1,500 with airfare and accommodations. Is it worth going the extra mile? I attended a virtual AANA event last year and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Thanks in advance!

Hi there! I want to reassure you that you CAN get into CRNA school with a pass/fail degree; it's unfortunate that quite a few aspiring CRNAs have dealt with the same rejection and need to overcome it. 

I have a video with (now a current Nurse Anesthesia Resident!) Sabrina who got into CRNA school with a pass/fail degree if you'd like to check it out: 

https://crnaschoolprepacademy.com/podcast/episode-67-getting-into-CRNA-school-with-a-pass-fail-nursing-degree-with-SRNA-sabrina

It's VERY informative! 

PS- We LOVE the AANA! We are also hosting a virtual event with them later this year so stay tuned to our social media accounts for announcements. 

You CAN do this!! We're rooting for you! 

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Specializes in SICU, MICU, CCU, CTICU.
CRNA School Prep Academy said:

Hi there! I want to reassure you that you CAN get into CRNA school with a pass/fail degree; it's unfortunate that quite a few aspiring CRNAs have dealt with the same rejection and need to overcome it. 

I have a video with (now a current Nurse Anesthesia Resident!) Sabrina who got into CRNA school with a pass/fail degree if you'd like to check it out: 

https://crnaschoolprepacademy.com/podcast/episode-67-getting-into-CRNA-school-with-a-pass-fail-nursing-degree-with-SRNA-sabrina

It's VERY informative! 

PS- We LOVE the AANA! We are also hosting a virtual event with them later this year so stay tuned to our social media accounts for announcements. 

You CAN do this!! We're rooting for you! 

Oh hi Jenny (if it's you)!

Actually, the most recent event I attended was the AANA and CSPA meeting back in December! I connected with some of the district presidents afterward and had a positive experience!

After the rejection, I was quite depressed for a week or so because I had done extensive research before applying, met with advisors and faculty at the school, and was assured they accepted my degree. However, after applying and spending so much time, money, and energy, I was told they don't accept it.

From the beginning, I asked about the acceptability of my degree, as my school provides both an official "pass/fail" transcript and an unofficial 4.0 scale transcript. They assured me it would be no problem, but now they're attributing the rejection to this very reason.

Saying I was discouraged is an understatement.

I am planning to take the GRE soon.

 

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Specializes in CRNA.

How about completing a traditional BSN? Instead of paying a lot of money to meetings that may not help?

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Hi, any advice in writing a personal statement? How long should it be? TIA

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Specializes in Nurse Mentoring & Tutoring.
ICURN2CRNA_ said:

Oh hi Jenny (if it's you)!

Actually, the most recent event I attended was the AANA and CSPA meeting back in December! I connected with some of the district presidents afterward and had a positive experience!

After the rejection, I was quite depressed for a week or so because I had done extensive research before applying, met with advisors and faculty at the school, and was assured they accepted my degree. However, after applying and spending so much time, money, and energy, I was told they don't accept it.

From the beginning, I asked about the acceptability of my degree, as my school provides both an official "pass/fail" transcript and an unofficial 4.0 scale transcript. They assured me it would be no problem, but now they're attributing the rejection to this very reason.

Saying I was discouraged is an understatement.

I am planning to take the GRE soon.

 

That's great to hear that you had a positive experience with the CSPA/AANA event! I'm so sorry to hear about the hurdles with applying with your flexpath degree, especially after doing your due diligence. Hopefully it was a misunderstanding and now you can move forward with more information and empowerment. 

I wish you the best while you prepare for your GRE! You can do this-- we are rooting for you!! Keep us posted 🙂

CSICUNurse21 said:

Hi, any advice in writing a personal statement? How long should it be? TIA

Does your program have a prompt and/or list any requirements or specifications about length and formatting? 

Cheering you on! 

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CSICUNurse21 said:

Hi, any advice in writing a personal statement? How long should it be? TIA

Hello! 

I have been busy with didactic work but I am SO HAPPY Jenny has been ensuring you all are getting the help/answers we wish we would have had when we were starting. I have truly never seen a more helpful/supportive community than the SRNA/CRNA community so it makes my heart so happy that this thread has been useful. When writing your personal statement, it's important to remember that they are reading HUNDREDS of them. You may receive different advice from various resources, however, I always recommend you keep your personal statement to 1 page, just like your resume, UNLESS your program gives specific recommendations. When writing your personal statement, remember that there are SO MANY qualified applicants because you are applying to get into school with TONS of incredible ICU nurses.. emphasize what makes YOU stand out from others while exemplifying you are ready/prepared for this next step. Include what you have done to prepare yourself for CRNA school as well. Additionally, CRNA school requires A LOT of grit, determination, overcoming failure, etc. so try to exemplify how you've overcome barriers within your role as a nurse or how you've overcome hardship which has led to your success. I hope this advice helps you a little bit! Ensure you give yourself plenty of time to write it and revise it!

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Specializes in Nurse Mentoring & Tutoring.
SRNA Mentor said:

Hello! 

I have been busy with didactic work but I am SO HAPPY Jenny has been ensuring you all are getting the help/answers we wish we would have had when we were starting. I have truly never seen a more helpful/supportive community than the SRNA/CRNA community so it makes my heart so happy that this thread has been useful. When writing your personal statement, it's important to remember that they are reading HUNDREDS of them. You may receive different advice from various resources, however, I always recommend you keep your personal statement to 1 page, just like your resume, UNLESS your program gives specific recommendations. When writing your personal statement, remember that there are SO MANY qualified applicants because you are applying to get into school with TONS of incredible ICU nurses.. emphasize what makes YOU stand out from others while exemplifying you are ready/prepared for this next step. Include what you have done to prepare yourself for CRNA school as well. Additionally, CRNA school requires A LOT of grit, determination, overcoming failure, etc. so try to exemplify how you've overcome barriers within your role as a nurse or how you've overcome hardship which has led to your success. I hope this advice helps you a little bit! Ensure you give yourself plenty of time to write it and revise it!

ABSOLUTELY LOVE this advice! Thank you for sharing! 

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Congratulations on your journey! I am tak8ng my Chemistry courses biw and shoukd be done in May 2025, so im hoping to apply to CRNA school in the Summer. I would love some advice on the process, I am super nervous about the interview process, since I have o ly been a CVICU nurse for little more than a year now. My email is [email protected],  any advice will be super appreciated!

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Specializes in Nurse Mentoring & Tutoring.
Juansmama94 said:

Congratulations on your journey! I am tak8ng my Chemistry courses biw and shoukd be done in May 2025, so im hoping to apply to CRNA school in the Summer. I would love some advice on the process, I am super nervous about the interview process, since I have o ly been a CVICU nurse for little more than a year now. My email is [email protected],  any advice will be super appreciated!

Start prepping for your interview now. The best thing you can do is give yourself TIME to understand the knowledge, not memorize it. Trust me, program directors and interview committees will know the difference. 

Remember-- The application gets you the interview, but the interview is what gets you accepted. 

Here's a free guide to start with: ✅ Free Resource- 150+ Practice CRNA School Interview Questions: https://www.cspaedu.com/questions

Cheering you on--- You CAN do this!! 

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