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

What surprised me about CRNA school that I didn’t expect? One of the biggest surprises about CRNA school is how much emphasis is placed on collaboration over competition. While the program is rigorous, balancing study with adequate rest and personal time is important for success. If you're curious about what programs are really looking for in an applicant, we actually talked about this on the podcast (Ep 1: "What CRNA Schools are REALLY looking for in an applicant").

What Are the Biggest Surprises About CRNA School?

CRNA school can be full of surprises, from unexpected competition to the importance of collaboration. The CRNA Club highlights that while rigorous, it's possible to balance study with personal time. For instance, 8 hours of sleep can be more effective than 12 hours of study. If you're considering this career path, our How to Become a CRNA guide breaks down the steps in detail.

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! We also go into why focusing on your own journey is so important in Ep 2: "3 things I would have done differently BEFORE applying to CRNA school".

Do You Need to Study 12 Hours a Day?

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. If you want to learn more about the profession and what to expect, the Profession Overview lesson in our Learning Library can be a great place to start,

Can You Travel During CRNA 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! And if you're curious about salary and how CRNAs afford to travel, check out our podcast episode "CRNAs make HOW MUCH?!" (listen here) or dive into the Salary lesson in our Learning Library,

How Does Clinical vs Sim Lab Differ in CRNA School?

Remember your basics (SAMMTIDE, induction sequence, etc) but a lot of other things will change once you start in the clinical setting. Our CRNA History + Types of Anesthesia lesson in the Learning Library covers these foundational concepts,

Are There Many Ways to Administer Anesthesia?

Yes, there are literally a million ways to do anesthesia, and that’s okay. If you want to see how different programs approach this, our CRNA School Requirements page lets you compare requirements side by side.

How Should You Handle Being "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 During CRNA School?

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 individuals start therapy, get on antidepressants, etc., use your resources and seek help when needed!

For more information, check these trusted resources: American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Our Final Thoughts

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.