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Seeking feedback!
Hey everyone! My name is Cayden and I am getting ready to start applying to schools soon! I have been think a lot about “My Why” for CRNA school and was hoping someone could give me some feedback.
To be honest, I have wanted to be a CRNA since I was in high school. I watched a close uncle leave for school, and hearing about all of his experiences made me decide to pursue the CRNA route in college. I got married a few years after high school and started college to begin working towards getting into nursing school. I ended up getting a good job that paid really well and changed my degree to business management and did 30 credits or so in the business program. During that time, my wife was due to have our first child, and a CRNA came in and did her epidural. He let me watch the whole thing from his view and I was changed. I thought he had the coolest job. His professionalism and bedside manners calmed us down and made everything go so much smoother. That week I met with my counselor, changed my major, and fast forward I have been an ICU nurse for a little over a year. I recently shadowed for a few days, and the fire to pursue anesthesia is stronger than it was 4 years ago. I have never wanted something so badly! Everything about the profession draws my curiosity and makes me want to learn more and more even though I am not even in school yet.
This is my true why. Will this stand out enough in my interviews? I have a hard time conveying this into words, but boy do I feel it. I’d love your feedback!
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2 Replies
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Hey @cayden! Thanks so much for your message! I think it’s incredible that you’re already reflecting on your “why” , especially with your future interviews in mind. Everything you shared is thoughtful and insightful. Honestly, not many people have that kind of clarity or even awareness of what a CRNA is back in high school.
The fact that you have a family member who is a CRNA gives you a unique and honest perspective. And being present during such a critical moment, watching a CRNA place an epidural during your wife’s birth, clearly had a powerful impact. That kind of firsthand experience is incredibly meaningful, and the way it shifted your entire career path speaks volumes. The steps you’ve taken since (switching your major, committing to nursing, and working toward CRNA school) show real intention and dedication. All of these moments are shaping a strong and authentic “why.”
As for how to communicate this in an interview, you already have everything you need in your story. Don’t overthink it. When answering the “Why do you want to be a CRNA?” question, just focus on telling it clearly and concisely in about a minute:
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Briefly mention starting out as a business major.
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Share how your wife’s birth experience — specifically the CRNA placing the epidural — was a turning point.
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Highlight how conversations with your uncle, a CRNA, helped solidify your decision to pursue this path.
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Emphasize the steps you’ve taken since, and your continued commitment to the goal.
Finally, try to connect your story to the qualities you’ve observed in CRNAs, leadership, calm under pressure, autonomy, critical thinking, and how you see those traits in yourself or are working to develop them. You’re absolutely on the right track. Keep going! As you get further down the application process with your shadowing, networking, leadership projects etc. you’ll continue to build up this “why” more! LET’S GO!!!
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This reply was modified 4 days, 22 hours ago by Sachi @thecrnaclub.
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This reply was modified 4 days, 22 hours ago by Sachi @thecrnaclub.
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Thank you so much Sachi!! This is so helpful!!
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This reply was modified 4 days, 9 hours ago by Cayden.
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This reply was modified 4 days, 9 hours ago by
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