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Mastering Study Habits for CRNA School: Tips for SRNAs and RNs

J

Javier, CRNA

CRNA

· Updated · 4 min read
Mastering Study Habits for CRNA School: Tips for SRNAs and RNs
In This Article (7 sections)

Mastering study habits for CRNA school requires effective time management, active learning techniques, and self-care to handle the demanding curriculum. These strategies are essential for both SRNAs and RNs preparing for this challenging journey. If you're just starting to explore this career path, our How to Become a CRNA guide breaks down each step.

Transitioning from your BSN program to becoming a Student Registered Nurse Anesthetist (SRNA) is a major step. The study habits that worked during your nursing degree, such as cramming and memorizing facts, may not be enough for the rigors of CRNA school. You'll need to develop methods to understand and synthesize vast amounts of information in a short time.

In this post, I’ll share my study habits as an SRNA and how you, as an RN, can begin preparing now. If you're curious about what CRNA programs are really looking for in applicants, we actually talked about this on the podcast (Ep 1: "What CRNA Schools are REALLY looking for in an applicant").

Quick Answer

Across 154 CRNA programs tracked by The CRNA Club, the curriculum demands mastery of pharmacology, physiology, and chemistry at the same time, so passive rereading won't cut it. Switch to the Pomodoro Technique with 25-minute focused blocks and active recall to retain complex anesthesia concepts faster.

What Are Effective Study Habits for CRNA Success?

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How Can Time Management Improve Your CRNA School Performance?

One of the biggest challenges of CRNA school is dealing with the sheer volume of material. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, which is why time management is key. Block study schedules and the Pomodoro Technique have been big deals for me.

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method where you study in 25-minute intervals, taking short breaks in between. This keeps you focused, reduces distractions, and helps avoid burnout. By setting up this system, I can manage my time effectively and prevent feeling completely overwhelmed by the material. If you want to know what I wish I’d done differently before applying, I shared more about this in Ep 2 of the podcast.

Which Active Learning Techniques Work Best for SRNAs?

To strengthen your learning process, active learning techniques are important. Since I’m a visual, tactile, and auditory learner, I tailor my study methods accordingly. One tool I use is Speechify, a text-to-speech app that helps me quickly read through large volumes of material by listening to it.

Pairing this with anesthesia podcasts has improved my recall and deepened my understanding. If you're still deciding if CRNA school is right for you, Ep 6 of our podcast breaks down five signs it's a good fit.

Speechify is always running sales. This link provides you with a yearlong subscription for $60.

How Do Digital Tools Strengthen Study Efficiency?

Digital tools like Quizlet, Notion, and Notability can help organize and reinforce your learning. It’s not enough to simply memorize facts. you need to actively engage with the material. Study groups are also beneficial if done right.

In my study group, we set expectations that everyone should have a foundational understanding before meeting. This ensures that our sessions are productive and focused. For more digital tools to help you study, check out this guide to productivity apps. If you're comparing program prerequisites, the Free School Database lets you view requirements side by side, which can help you plan your application strategy.

Why Is Self-Care and Stress Management Important in CRNA School?

Taking care of your mental and physical well-being is critical during CRNA school. Stress management techniques like getting enough sleep, taking breaks, and maintaining proper nutrition will improve your focus and retention. For more on how program types and requirements can impact your experience, our lessons on DNP vs. DNAP vs. PhD and Program Requirements in the Learning Library are super helpful.

How Can You Improve Your CRNA Study Habits?

In summary, we have covered the key points of effective study habits, including time management, active learning techniques, and the importance of a conducive study environment. I encourage everyone to strive continuously for improvement in their study habits. Consistent practice, seeking help when needed, and staying motivated will lead to more tremendous academic success.

Ready for more tips on how to get into CRNA school? Check out our community here! You can also review the CRNA School Requirements page for more insight as you prepare.

For more information, check these trusted resources: Council on Accreditation (COA), NBCRNA.

Our Final Thoughts

Mastering your study habits is essential for success in CRNA school. With dedication to time management, active learning, and self-care, you can confidently handle the demanding curriculum. The CRNA Club is here to support your journey every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many CRNA programs are there in the US?

There are approximately 140 accredited nurse anesthesia programs in the United States, offering either DNP or DNAP degrees. You can compare all of them in our free CRNA School Database.

How do I choose the right CRNA program?

Consider location, tuition, NCE pass rates, class size, clinical rotation sites, and admission requirements. Our School Database lets you filter and compare all 140+ programs by these criteria.

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Key Features of CRNA Programs that I Wish I Knew When I Was Applying

Key Features of CRNA Programs that I Wish I Knew When I Was Applying

The way a school looks on paper can be far from your in-person experience. I always advise people to speak to local students, nurses, even CRNAs, of their perceptions of the program and students currently attend. A school could look amazing through the website and even through their national rankings and people could have not so favorable experiences with them in real life. Word of mouth, of course, has to always be taken with a grain of salt but fielding firsthand experiences of a program can prove to be invaluable. Speaking to current students could give you more insight into what a program is like outside of just the numbers which are often not influenced by student experience. 1. Student Expectations & Support The capacity of a school and class numbers relative to faculty are important to consider. Is there mentorship between classes available? I’ve found that some of the best advice about making it through my specific program has come from upperclassmen. They have insight specific to a professor or class that you can not find on social media. Mastering the knowledge is one thing but also performing well is another that is better suited with a more direct counsel. Do students have advisors available or how are student concerns addressed? These are questions that you may want to ask to figure out the kind of support you will have through school from faculty. Programs will expect you to know what supports you have outside of school whether that be it family or friends but knowing the academic support you have is another thing. 2. Consider the Academic Calendar This is something I wish I would have considered early on. Is your program on a quarter, trimester, or semester system? How many classes do students take per academic block? Considering the amount of work, you’ll need to juggle is important and will impact your day to day scheduling in school. Taking 5 classes on a quarter system is much different than 5 classes on a semester schedule. It’s worth understanding this before committing to a program at least to anticipate what will be asked of you. Understanding the academic calendar and whether there are any breaks built in will also help you plan your time to rest and recharge. As you become a SRNA so much of your life becomes revolved around school, so any insight to plan your non-school related activities beforehand, the better! 3. Type & Quality of Clinical Placements How are clinical placements decided? What kinds of practice models are at these sites? How far do students on average travel for clinical? Commuting to clinical will become a huge part of your life once you start clinical rotations. Seeing as students are the first to arrive and last to leave, understanding how these placements are made could largely impact your experience to come. Our school tracks the number of miles we must commute and on our next rotation we get to travel closer to home. Also considering that the financial aspect of moving for clinical or commuting is often the sole responsibility of the student this could add another expense to your already sinking funds. Important to consider, to some people that matters more than to others, you just don’t want to be blindsided by the cost when the time comes. Are they mostly large academic centers or is there room for seeing CRNA independent practice? When it comes to the clinical portion of school this is building the foundation for your career. Not only are these learning opportunities, but as you get more familiar with sites, you’ll learn that the anesthesia culture varies per location and practice model. If your training only exposes, you to one practice model it will be hard to have the foundation to be a versatile CRNA once you graduate. The goal of anesthesia training is to give you enough exposure so you can learn where you’d like to work once you graduate. To build that self-concept adequate exposure to all varieties of cases, practice models and healthcare settings is needed. As a nurse anesthesia resident, you are constantly challenged and fully expected to rise to the opportunity. When you’re interviewing for schools, they are trying to sell you an education as well as you are trying to decide what is the right fit. To come to that conclusion, it is important to consider all things and be able to make a sound and educated decision. You would never want to regret such a large investment in your future. Knowing and being able to map out some of the unknowns of school will also help to ease your anxiety and make sure you have the right fit school for you. Good luck out there!

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Study Methods That Helped Me Thrive in CRNA School

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