Programs

Picking a CRNA Program? What to Consider

S

Sachi, CRNA

CRNA

· Updated · 4 min read
Picking a CRNA Program? What to Consider
In This Article (9 sections)

Picking a CRNA program? Look at degree type, program structure (front-loaded or integrated), and class size. All CRNA programs are doctorate-level now. The CRNA Club has the real talk, minus the BS. Here’s how to sort it out without losing your mind.

Quick Answer

Across 154 CRNA programs tracked by The CRNA Club, the three factors that matter most are degree type (DNP vs. DNAP), structure (front-loaded vs. integrated), and hybrid availability. Compare your top programs on all three, then pick the one that fits your learning style and schedule.

Deciding Between DNP and DNAP Programs (Yeah, It’s Confusing)

Okay, let’s just admit it. The alphabet soup after “CRNA” is enough to make your eyes glaze over at 3am in the break room. DNP, DNAP, PhD… why so many letters? We’re all just trying to pass boards and get paid, honestly.

Short version: DNP is tied to nursing school. DNAP is not, but both prep you for the National Certification Exam. same test, same paycheck, same post-call exhaustion. If you ever want to teach (like, run a program or get fancy with academia), the DNP might open more doors. We break this down in the Learning Library (see DNP vs. DNAP vs. PhD lesson. super clutch if you’re lost).

Bottom line: Pick the one that vibes with your future self. Or flip a coin, if you’re really stuck.

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Integrated vs. Front-Loaded: Pick Your Pain

If choosing a program feels like picking between two bad snacks in the vending machine, you’re not alone. Integrated programs = clinicals and class mixed together. You learn about peds, then go do peds. Front-loaded = sit in lecture forever (worst semester ever), then clinicals all day every day.

So, are you a rip-the-bandaid-off person or a slow burn? We’ve got a Front-Loaded vs. Integrated lesson in the Learning Library. (Honestly wish I’d watched this before my own application meltdown.)

And if you want more on choosing your style, binge Ep 6: "5 signs CRNA school is right for YOU" of our podcast. It’s basically therapy for your decision anxiety.

Hybrid CRNA Programs: Real Life Hack

Wish you could do CRNA school in pajamas from your couch? Same. Hybrid programs let you handle didactic online before diving into clinicals. Means you can keep working, or just have a life (or at least pretend to between patho lectures).

Does this solve everything? No. But it helps with cash flow, kid chaos, and not moving across the country for school. There’s a section on this in our Learning Library too, if you want the details.

Class Size: Not Just a Number

Class size sounds boring until you find yourself fighting for OR cases or begging for help on an anesthesia plan at 2am. Small classes (20–30 people) = more attention from faculty, less hiding. Big classes (up to 50)? More people to swap call horror stories, but also more competition for clinicals.

Some folks love the fam vibe of a small group. Some want a bigger squad. Check our Free School Database to actually see class sizes (instead of stalking Facebook groups like we did).

Attrition Rate: Red Flag or Just Bad Luck?

Attrition rate. Sounds terrifying, but all it means is how many people drop out or fail out. If a program loses more than 10% of students, start asking questions. Sometimes it’s a weird year or just a tiny class that skews the stats. Sometimes… not so much.

Ask about support, mental health, whatever you’re worried about. No shame. (We promise, everyone else is thinking it too.)

NCE Pass Rates: The Only Stat That Matters at Graduation

You survive school, you pass boards. That’s the whole point. Programs have to keep their National Certification Exam (NCE) pass rates above 80% to keep their doors open. If you see a school with sketchy pass rates, run.

We deep dive on this (plus what schools really want) in Ep 1: "What CRNA Schools are REALLY looking for in an applicant." Don’t miss that. For real.

How CRNA Programs Calculate Your GPA (It’s Not Always Fair)

Worried your GPA is a dumpster fire because you bombed freshman year Chem? Some programs look at cumulative GPA. Others just care about science GPA or the last 60 credits (thank God). If you turned things around late, there’s hope.

We talked about this (and all the stuff we wish we’d done differently) in Ep 2: "3 things I would have done differently BEFORE applying to CRNA school." It’s a must-listen if you’re spiraling about grades.

Other Stuff to Stress About (Or Not)

  • Location (closest coffee shop matters, trust us)
  • Cost of living (ramen budget or can you splurge on sushi?)
  • Clinical sites (variety, distance. don’t get stuck driving 2 hours each way)
  • Faculty vibe (supportive or scary?)
  • Program requirements (double-check with our CRNA School Requirements guide and Program Requirements lesson in the Learning Library)

And don’t forget to check out How to Become a CRNA for the full overview if you’re still early in the research rabbit hole.

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

Our Final Thoughts

Picking a CRNA program isn’t supposed to be easy. If you’re overwhelmed, join the club. literally, The CRNA Club is here for you. We’ve made all the mistakes, had all the freakouts, and figured out what actually matters. Use the Free School Database to compare programs, and don’t be afraid to ask the questions you think are dumb. 1000% guarantee someone else is wondering the same thing (probably eating cold pizza between importants). You got this.

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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