What I Did Before CRNA School to Set Myself Up for Success

Before CRNA school, the key to success lies in thorough preparation including financial planning, securing insurance, and adopting effective study techniques. These foundational steps help you manage stress and set a strong base for the demanding journey ahead. If you want to know what CRNA schools are REALLY looking for, we actually covered this in detail on the podcast (Ep 1: "What CRNA Schools are REALLY looking for in an applicant").

I remember feeling SO many emotions when I found out I was accepted to CRNA school! Elated, nervous, excited, and.. stressed. How am I going to do this?!

I’m a girl who always needs a plan. Here’s a list about what you can do now to set yourself up for success, so you aren’t starting CRNA school already in panic mode. The CRNA Club suggests having a financial advisor and applying for Medicaid early.

These steps can help you manage stress and set a strong foundation for success. If you want to boost your application even further, check out our Certifications + Research + Leadership lesson in the Learning Library at The CRNA Club.

How Do You Get Financially Ready for CRNA School?

Before school, I found a financial advisor who helped me work through the “how will I pay for this?” question that haunts all of when we see our tuition bill. We:

• Discussed savings goals (yes, you need some),
• Calculated expected loan disbursements (cue mild nausea),
• Created quarterly budgets so I didn’t completely throw everything out the window.

Also, I paid off all consumer debt (credit cards, car loans, etc.). Because I didn’t want to worry about paying any more possible interest considering the amount that will be accumulating with my loan disbursements. If you're looking for more ways to stand out financially and academically, we talked about three resume boosters for your CRNA school application on the podcast (Ep 9).

Why Should You Apply for Medicaid Early?

I lost my insurance when I walked away from my job and knew I needed to get on this STAT. Applying for Medicaid can take time, and you don’t want to be sorting out paperwork when you’re studying volatile anesthetics. Research what the limits are for your state, which documents you need, etc. and give yourself some time to seek out other insurance options if Medicaid isn’t available to you. Our Program Requirements lesson in the Learning Library at The CRNA Club can help you get organized with what you need before you start.

How Can You Learn to Study Effectively for CRNA School?

I knew my nursing school ways of studying (rewriting my notes over and over again into oblivion) were not going to cut it for CRNA school. So, I sought out some new study techniques:

• Spaced repetition (Anki is your new bestie)
• Binge-watched Ali Abdaal’s YouTube for productivity hacks (because procrastination but make it educational)

There may be some trial and error in the beginning once classes start, but at least you’ll have an idea of what resources are at your disposal! If you want to make your application even stronger, our Communicating Value Add lesson at The CRNA Club is a great place to start.

What Tech Essentials Should You Buy Before CRNA School?

Before school, I got:

• A solid laptop (thankfully my MacBook still ran like a champ),
• An iPad for handwritten notes,
• A larger computer monitor for reviewing lectures,
• A whiteboard

Trust me, your future stressed self will thank you.

How Should You Prepare Family for CRNA School?

I sat down with family and friends to:

• Set realistic expectations about my availability,
• Explain that no, I can’t come to every brunch (despite desperately always wanting to)
• Emphasize that I will still love them, but my phone may live on Do Not Disturb.

This reduced guilt later and protected relationships. By the way, if you're reflecting on your application journey, we talked about what we would have done differently BEFORE applying to CRNA school on the podcast (Ep 2).

Why Move Early for CRNA School?

If you’re relocating for school, start your housing search EARLY. I moved about a month before classes started, which gave me time to:

• Get settled,
• Find the best coffee shops (priority),
• Learn how to get to school without GPS.

Pro tip: Use Furnished Finder, Airbnb monthly stays, or connect with past grads/current CRNAs for housing leads. They often know the best, quiet, safe places near campus or clinical sites.

Prepping before CRNA school makes everything safer and smoother when things get real.

Ready for more tips on how to get into CRNA school? Check out our community here! For more information on CRNA programs, visit CRNA Programs . To understand the requirements, check out CRNA School Requirements. Plan your application timeline with our CRNA School Application Timeline. Use our School Comparison Tool to evaluate different programs, and our Certification Planner to keep track of your certifications.

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

Our Final Thoughts

Getting prepared before CRNA school is important for success. By focusing on these elements, you’ll be setting yourself up for a smoother journey. The CRNA Club is here to support you every step of the way.