Things That Surprised Me About CRNA School That I Didn’t Expect (From an SRNA)

Outline/Bullet Points

Why Should You Avoid Competition During the Program?

• Don’t discuss exam scores, your goal is to PASS
• Don’t compare case numbers, you WILL get all your numbers needed to graduate!

Is Studying 12 Hours a Day Necessary to Pass Your Classes?

• Sleep was important to me, I need at least 8 hours a night
• I knew past 7pm, I wouldn’t be productive with my studying, so I stopped instead of trying to force myself

Can You Still Take Days Off in CRNA School?

Is It Possible to Travel During School?

• Take advantage of your breaks between quarters/semesters
• We had 1 week off between, I took trips to NYC, Paris on one of our longer winter breaks, and even Greece during our 1 week summer break!

How Does Clinical Experience Differ from Simulation Lab?

Remember your basics (SAMMTIDE, induction sequence, etc) but a lot of other things will change once you start in the clinical setting

Are There Many Ways to Administer Anesthesia?

Why Are You Always Wrong in Clinical?

Be HUMBLE and teachable
My most common phrases are “ok, thank you, you got it, yes”

How Important Are Classmates in CRNA School?

Sharing study guides, tips for various skills, etc

Are Conferences Like Annual Congress Worth Attending?

• Networking, getting to know other NARs and CRNAs
• Helps keep the end goal in sight!!

Do All CRNA Programs Have Positives and Negatives?

TALK to residents from other programs! (this goes back to not making everything a competition, these people are your soon to be coworkers!)

Is It Okay to Complain Sometimes?

• We often feel like “we chose this, so suck it up” but we’re still allowed to be tired, stressed, etc. find YOUR people who you can confide in
• Many many individuals start therapy, get on antidepressants, etc, use your resources and seek help when needed!

Long-Form

When I first started CRNA school, I thought I would need to study 12 hours a day to survive the program, but that’s just not true. I prioritized sleep (a solid 8 hours every night!), and I knew that once 7pm hit, my brain was done. Instead of pushing through, I learned to stop and pick it up the next day. Way more effective for me in the long run. And guess what? You can take days off. You can even travel! Burnout is real and every break matters. Use them to recharge.

One thing I didn’t anticipate was how much competition still exists within the program. But trust me, avoiding that mindset is key. CRNA school is challenging enough; support and collaboration with classmates make a huge difference. I know it can be tempting to talk about exam scores or compare case numbers, but I quickly learned how unhelpful that was. Your goal isn’t to outshine someone, it’s simply to pass and become a safe, competent provider. And yes, you will get all the cases you need by the time you graduate.

If anything your classmates will become your lifeline. We relied on each other for study guides, clinical tips, emotional support, you name it. And the conferences (like Annual Congress) aren’t just educational, they’re actually a lot of fun. Talk to students from other programs; you'll learn a lot and realize every school has its strengths and weaknesses.

Once you hit clinical, things shift fast. It’s a totally different world compared to simulation lab. The basics like SAMMTIDE and your induction sequence still matter, but you’ll see how much actually changes in real time. There are literally a million ways to do anesthesia, and that’s okay.

A big mindshift for me when I started clinical was that in clinical, you’re often “wrong” (even when you’re not). Don’t take it personally. Be humble, stay teachable, and keep your go-to phrases ready for when someone tells you to do something their way, or what you should’ve done differently: “Okay” “Thank you” “You got it” “Yes” They’ll serve you well.

Lastly, it’s totally okay to complain. Yes, we chose this path, but that doesn’t mean we don’t get tired, overwhelmed, or stressed. Find your people, the ones you can vent to without judgment. So many students (myself included) seek therapy, start medication, or tap into mental health resources. There’s no shame in it. Take care of yourself. You can do this!

Resources like The CRNA Club can help you bridge the gap between ICU knowledge and OR readiness.

Ready for more tips on how to get into CRNA school? Check out our community here!