I am currently completing my probation with the board of nursing for diversion. I am on a MedSurg floor and looking at ICU positions. I am looking into going back to school after my probation is done. I am toying with the idea of going to CRNA school. However, given my history, I want to know if this is realistic. I understand that some people may not think it’s a good idea for someone as myself to go into anesthesiology. I really don’t care about that opinion. I’m not trying to be rude, but I’m just tired of people adding that commentary. I understand there’s always a risk to relapse. I will walk away from nursing before I allow myself to disrupt my life like I once had. I know of CRNA’s who had their license, diverted, and worked their way back to working in their field. I just wanna know if anyone has known of any CRNAs or feels comfortable enough to share that they had action against their RN license and were able to pursue school. I’ve reached out to a couple of schools and while they haven’t told me that I couldn’t be accepted, they could not give me an answer until they looked at me as a whole during the application process. The only reason why I’m bringing this up is that there are a couple of classes that I wanted to take now, but I didn’t wanna waste my time or money.

For anyone in/knows anyone at these programs, do you have any insight that could help me decide where to go? I have interviews &/or acceptances from these schools and as I plan for the future I wanted to see what current/recent students think. I feel like they try to hype the program up at interviews and the stress is so high it’s hard to get an unbiased read.

Is the bigger price tag for two of these schools worth it? I was intentional with where I applied and would be happy in any of these locations. I also like the front loaded structure and clinical diversity.

I’ll take any tips on picking a school!!

UNC Charlotte
Wake Forest
Duke
Western Carolina University

Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone! I’m planning to apply to CRNA schools next year and would love to hear from current students or recent graduates of these programs:

● Fairfield University (CT/TX)
● Drexel University (PA)
● Midwestern University (AZ/IL)
● Rush University (IL)
● Rosalind Franklin University (IL)
● Emory University (GA)
● University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)

How has your overall experience been? Do you feel supported by the faculty, and are you happy with the clinical rotations?

I’m especially curious about clinical autonomy, hands-on experience, and whether you feel well-prepared to practice independently after graduation.

Would you choose the same program again?

Any honest feedback, positive or negative, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

How are you guys taking on anesthesia pharmacology. About halfway through my semester and it’s starting to get pretty heavy. Any advice helps!

Internet, hello. I’m a fellow nurse who is avidly pursuing CRNA school, and have been working toward strengthening my application currently to submit within the near future. However, I am at a standstill with making a decision right now that may affect the immediate next few years of my career and personal life.

Where I stand right now:
- I have over 55 hours of shadowing experience, and also an AANA member
- I have my CCRN cert and AACN member
- I am a double bachelor degree nurse, primary degree was Human Biology with a 3.3 GPA, nursing (ABSN) is a 3.03 GPA
- currently taking advanced patho holding an A+, finishing this December
- Have been working since graduating nursing school and currently 26yo with 18 months experience (including orientation)****

I work at a very well known oncology hospital on their Step-Down Unit, and on this SDU floor we titrate vasoactive drips, have vents and intubated patients, work with a-lines, and deal with plenty of critical care patients. It functions as an ICU overflow, with patients who can’t get a bed on our actual 20 bed ICU getting a bed here instead, however does exhibit some limitations of not being able to classify as an ICU. Our SDU is 15 beds and is covered by the ICU staff medical team.

The issue is this. I am told by my CRNA mentor I could get into CRNA school with my current experience since my SDU unit classifies as a critical care unit. However, I did interview for the ICU in my hospital since I was recommended by my manager, and the ICU manager is expecting a minimum 3yr commitment on the ICU before writing a letter or recommendation and considering letting any nurse leave on good terms. I downplayed going to CRNA school at all, however she says this is her blanket policy.

My question is: is it worth going through with transferring to ICU anyway and committing to the 3yr minimum? I would certainly learn more, however that timeframe would mean I would apply to CRNA school as a 30yr old applicant. What makes most sense for me right now in terms of establishing a sense of direction? Would I be better off getting official ICU experience or would I be able to explain that my SDU experience can qualify on a future application?

Thank you Redditors in advance.

Not at the stage to even have an interview, but I'm worrying ahead of time. I'm thinking about pursing this path/career, but what has me worried the most, aside from the academics, is the interview process. Aside from feeling too incompetent to do the academics, I have really bad social anxiety. I've only ever had one proper interview for a job once in my life and that's it. I'm so scared that they will ask me questions and I won't know the answer, that I'll look stupid, or that I may even decline the offer for an interview (if one presents itself) because I'm too scared and my SA won. I'd like to potentially become a CRNA and give it a shot, and something tells me I should, but I can't even start conversations with people in my classes and I don't ever attend social events at my school because of the social anxiety. However, in a work setting, if I need to talk to people or the issue is pressing and concerns me etc., then I absolutely will talk. Idk, has anyone ever just said never mind to becoming a CRNA because of SA?

I will be completing undergrad this upcoming may, but I'm honestly not sure if I even want to do anything related to what I have been studying during undergrad. I have thought about pursuing CAA or CRNA, but I'm really scared to. I haven't looked much into the requirements for CAA, but my school's career center has a survey for us students to take to to get a sense of what careers may be better for us based on personality, values, interests, etc., and under the healthcare category, CAA was a strong option for me compared to CRNA being a good option. One of my very strong options was working in healthcare management, but I'm still trying to decide. Anyways, I worry I'm too dumb to pursue any of these careers, specifically CAA or CRNA, and worry that I will just be wasting my time and money if I do. I don't really have any passions or interests, and these careers seems somewhat appealing, but still uncertain. Anyways, idk what to do and time is ticking. I'm at a huge loss and feel that maybe retail is all I'm capable of. My brain seems to be declining and deteriorating fast and I can't remember much and I'm only 21, which is quite disappointing. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Also, I do plan on shadowing all options before pursing to see if it will be a good fit for me or not.

Edit: I will be graduating undergrad with zero debt (so thankful for my school offering me a lot of financial aid), so I thankfully won't have debt to worry about, but I'm worried about pursuing these options and then not making it or hating it, then being screwed and in debt. I will have the option to live at home with my mom if I did pursue either of these routes, so having to worry about the expenses that come with being on your own can be subsided a little bit, but it's still a fear of mine to go into debt. Anyways, I definitely need to apply to a program that is close to home and in state.

I feel like I’m always forgetting something with my set up, even tho I’m not. Also feel like I’m constantly watching the monitor and getting anxious about any slight changes even if it’s nothing.

Is this something that would work? I’m gonna send all my questions for the recruiter, but I wanna know from other peoples experience.
I would join and then join the Navy and then apply to CRNA within a year or two.
There’s a 100k bonus to join the navy active duty as a RN and then CRNA school would be covered, that’s why I wanna join!

CRNA jobs this week

6 approved, unexpired listings. Clinical practice and CRNA education.

Browse all jobs or post a job

CRNA - Full Time / PRN - Fort Mohave, AZ - Independent

Valley Regional Anesthesia Associates · Clinical practice

Fort Mohave, Arizona · $200.00–$215.00 / hour

View approved listing

CRNA - Full Time / PRN - Stockton, CA - Full Scope

Valley Regional Anesthesia Associates · Clinical practice

Stockton, California · $200.00–$215.00 / hour

View approved listing

CRNA - Full Time - Sierra Vista, AZ - Full Scope

Valley Regional Anesthesia Associates · Clinical practice

Sierra Vista, Arizona · $200.00–$215.00 / hour

View approved listing

CRNA - Full Time - Bullhead City, AZ - Full Scope

Valley Regional Anesthesia Associates · Clinical practice

Bullhead City, Arizona · $200.00–$215.00 / hour

View approved listing

CRNA - Full Time/PRN - Lake Havasu City, AZ - Full Scope

VRAA · Clinical practice

Lake Havasu, Arizona · $200.00–$215.00 / hour

View approved listing

CRNA - Full Time /PRN - Full Scope - Modesto, CA

VRAA · Clinical practice

Modesto, California · $200.00–$215.00 / hour

View approved listing

New or updated = approved in the 7 days before October 26, 2026. Listings can close or expire after this summary. Check the board for current availability and confirm details directly with the employer.

Posted automatically by CRNA Jobs for r/srna.

Hey everyone!

Has anyone been in a similar situation?

I have about 5 years of CVICU experience, but I’ll be starting at a new hospital soon. My goal is to apply to CRNA schools next fall (2027), so I’ll have been at my new job for less than a year when application season starts.

I’m a little concerned about letters of recommendation, especially since some CRNA programs specifically require one from your current ICU manager or supervisor.

I know some schools accept recommendations from previous managers, but for those that specifically required your current supervisor, how did you handle it?

Did you ask your new manager after only a few months? Were they supportive of your CRNA plans? Or did you contact the admissions office to see if a previous manager’s recommendation would be acceptable?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through something similar. Thanks in advance!

Use this thread for applicant questions, including GPA, ICU experience, CCRN, GRE, shadowing, interview prep, resumes, personal statements, applications, waitlists, and "what are my chances?" posts.

Please include enough context for useful answers:

- Current role and ICU type

- Years of experience

- GPA or trend if relevant

- CCRN or certifications

- Shadowing or leadership experience

- Programs or application timeline

Keep it professional, specific, and respectful. Current NARs, CRNAs, faculty, and applicants are welcome to answer.

Hi,

I recently got an interview for a school, which I did not expect considering I only had one year of experience when I applied. I’m currently brushing up on topics relevant to my CVICU experience, along with making up questions that might be asked. I was wondering if there was any specific prep you did or programs bought in order to prepare. I feel as if there’s a lot of prep programs and just unsure of where to go. Any tips or things done would be helpful, thank you!

Hi! I have a spot a Marian and I’m debating between that and other schools. Are classes online with tests in person? How are the clinicals? Are they all really out of state- will I constantly be traveling. I need to decide ASAP where I am going to any insight would be appreciated!!!!

We have 4250 new SRNAs (NCE 2025) in the pipeline per year now and that number will probably balloon more, that will bring the field to roughly 120k CRNAs in the next 30 years if schools stop expanding seats- I for one am more than happy to suffer more during school to protect the profession.

For context we only had 2794 NCE candidates in 2022.

Many younger CRNAs and SRNAS (our peers) are concerned about the saturation problem- what happened to the NP profession is awful, so is pharmacy. Once seats are established, they're very difficult to reverse.

CAA competition is a bullshit non-issue mainly raised by Private-Equity backed groups and Schools trying to make money, with the expansion of NORA and ASCS, Full-Practice CRNAs have their own niche that makes CAAs largely irrelevant.

Anesthesia pay is easily commoditized and PE groups + Hospitals WILL try to squeeze our pay down, they are pissed they're paying anesthesia stipends on top of reimbursement right now- making us labor costs, more then revenue generators.

There are things we can do-

1. Advocate to the COA for an increase in specialty case requirements- especially high resource cases like Peds and Cardiac. We could also advocate for a limit on distance sites, we shouldn't have to travel across the country, tuition is expensive enough.
2. Report your program if they are asking you to fake case or line counts- you will not get in trouble, you will still become a CRNA, it will ensure the school can't grow unchecked.
3. Advocate to your PD to slow seat growth, the math doesn't math, we will oversaturate the profession in the early to mid 2030s, even with substantial anesthesia demand growth- and they are STILL pushing for more seats.
4. Advocate for the AANA to be honest about workforce projections, HCA was one of the biggest sponsors of annual congress, if that isn't a huge red flag, idk what to say. (One meaningful light is it seems our new President is aware of oversupply risks as he projects 2027 to be the tipping point on his substack)

From one CRNA redditor to another! Listen to what happened: https://youtube.com/shorts/NVmlNn_t1EI?feature=share

I just started clinical. Yesterday was day 4 for me and the supervising MD took me away from my preceptor and told me I was going to run my own room. Everything went smoothly and MD was present for induction and emergence though completely hands-off). I was very uncomfortable with the situation and expressed that. They reassured me that if anything went wrong during the case to call and he would come in and fix it, but I was still nervous as heck.

Again, everything was fine, I managed the patient appropriately (I think???), woke them up smoothly albeit it took a long time since I’m a complete newb and received little to no help, and took them to PACU. I knew the day would come eventually where I’d have to run my own room but just not this soon. Anyways just wondering..Is this normal to be left alone this early in training? Am I being dramatic for feeling nervous about this??

I do feel like I learned a lot from the experience and looking back there are things I would’ve done differently in terms of intraop meds I gave and hopefully I can carry those lessons with me moving forward. I also very much appreciate having a teacher in the room that I can bounce ideas off, or see how they do things. At this phase in my journey I don’t know what I don’t know. Thanks for the input!

With how big California is as a state and its population, I’m surprised that we only have 6 CRNA schools. UC Davis being the most recent one. California has the highest number of nurses. Crazy that Pennsylvania has 15 CRNAs programs.

What are your thoughts on letters of recommendation from a MD or PA/NP that you did not work critical care with? I worked very closely with a PA and MD when I worked in procedural/IR at a trauma hospital before I went to ICU. We had great rapport and experienced a lot of critical situations together that the MD would talk about in the letter. Figured I had 2 letters already in critical care from my managers & thought it would be different to choose outside . Just was not sure if this was an absolute no no in the pool of applicants and should prioritize one from a MD in critical care.

Hi friends!! Hoping you can help, I’ve been lucky enough to get offers at Westminster and Roseman and trying to decide between the two. I’ll be moving out of state for either one. Wondering if there are current students I could chat with or any insights?? Thanks so much!!!!!!

This thread is for current Nurse Anesthesia Residents to talk about school, clinical life, studying, preceptors, stress, wins, setbacks, and support.

Good topics include clinical days, didactic survival, study workflows, professional identity, wellness, difficult weeks, useful resources, and small wins.

No patient-identifying details. No medical advice. Keep it professional and human.

I’m about six months from graduation and recently signed for a job at a CRNA-only hospital about an hour outside a metropolitan area. I’m very excited about it! My schedule will include call once a week, one weekend a month, and two regular OR days a week.

I’ve had great clinical experience, mostly at CRNA-independent sites. Great neuraxial, regional experience etc. However, the weaker areas of my program have been cardiac, thoracic, and sick pediatrics. I’ll graduate with slightly above the minimums in those areas, but they’re definitely not areas where I’ve had extensive exposure.

A lot of friends who graduated 6–12 months ago have taken jobs doing hearts, major vascular repairs, and other seemingly very high-acuity cases. Hearing about their experiences makes me wonder whether I’m missing a foundation I should have before practicing independently, even if those specialties won't be part of my routine practice...?

I think my biggest concern is whether I’ll be prepared for the unexpected, especially on call. It’s hard to distinguish normal new-grad nerves from recognizing a meaningful gap in my preparation?

For those who started at CRNA-only sites straight out of school, how did you assess whether you were ready? Did you feel extensive experience in those specialties was important beforehand? What orientation and backup support made the transition manageable, and what would you prioritize during these last six months?

Would really appreciate honest advice from people who’ve been in a similar position.

Got my invitation for interview today! Super stoked! I’ve got a few weeks to prep for interview. It’s mostly EI rather than clinical. Also, the Casper assessment is required prior to interview. Does anyone have any advice for this?