What was the most challenging part of the CRNA application process?

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If you could have had an experienced expert holding your hand throughout the CRNA application process, what would you have wanted most from them?

Or if you are currently applying to schools, is there any part of the process you wish you had help with?

If you had a genie who could instantly get you past a certain stage in the process, what stage would that be?

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Getting a supervisor to write a reccomendation letter.

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^ Ditto. I didn't want to ask a manager for a rec because I've only been there 2 years and I didn't want them to find out I was applying for school anyway because they can be catty. Anyway, that was hands down the hardest part for me because it was out of my control.

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^ Ditto. I didn't want to ask a manager for a rec because I've only been there 2 years and I didn't want them to find out I was applying for school anyway because they can be catty. Anyway, that was hands down the hardest part for me because it was out of my control.

How did it end up going? Was it as hard as you anticipated? Did it affect your relationship with your manager?

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It turned out okay. I ended up asking a charge nurse for a rec, the school I applied to told me it counted as a leadership position so it was fine with them. I still haven't told management that I've been accepted because I know they look down upon CRNA school.

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Specializes in CRNA.

I agree with what everyone has said. Getting a letter of recommendation from my manager has been the hardest part. I wasn't afraid to tell management that I was applying to school because they want us to pursue our dreams. We often have people applying to NP school as well.

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I'd say it's a toss up between repeating my sciences (young and dumb= Cs) and paying for all my transcripts. Not only did i have to pay out of pocket to repeat a couple of my sciences to the tune of around $1500 when all is said and done, I applied to multiple schools and needed to send transcripts to them--only I went to 5+ colleges, so getting all the transcripts from all of them was pretty pricey. Financially wise that sucked.

Stress wise though, it was probably the repeating classes. Working full time while retaking a full load of classes that your future depends on so you have to get As....that was not so fun but I made it, and it was worth it to get into school.

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Specializes in ICU.

I didn't ask my manager for a LOR because I knew either 1) she wouldn't do it, or 2) it wouldn't be a good LOR. I asked a clinician instead, and that worked out great! My manager didn't like people leaving the ICU for CRNA school.

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I dreaded taking the GRE, that was painful. I also hated asking people for LOR like people said cause its just annoying and waiting for them to put it into the system is nerve racking because of deadlines and such. Same with me, I didn't ask my management because I don't trust them. However, charge nurses count for the "supervisor" position and IMO they know you and your skills WAY better than your manager does! :)

Also, waiting for apps to be in and waiting for interview invites and acceptances is absolute TORTURE! longest 3 weeks of my life after an interview waiting for that call lol

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Getting a letter of recommendation from my manager has been the hardest part. I wasn't afraid ... they want us to pursue our dreams.

May I ask why this was challenging then? If you weren't afraid to tell management, why was this difficult?

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Specializes in Orthopedics.

I'm probably going to have to repeat some courses too, but the fact that I'm not the only one who has to is giving me hope. For those who did repeat classes, did you do it while getting your BSN or what did the timeline look like?

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