Your Secret Weapon When Applying to CRNA School

Networking is 1000% your secret weapon when applying to CRNA school. Getting to know faculty and showing up at AANA meetings? That’s the move. We’ve seen The CRNA Club applicants boost their acceptance chances big time. Seriously. Don’t sleep on it.

How to Actually Meet CRNA Program Faculty (Without Feeling Awkward)

Ever sat there at 3am, cold pizza in hand, thinking CRNA school is just for “those people” and not you? Been there. But honestly, getting in front of faculty isn’t just some impossible dream. You just gotta show up. literally. Here’s how.

State AANA meetings. Trust us, these are treasure troves. You’ve got guest speakers, random breakout convos, posters (sometimes confusing. ask questions anyway), and yes, actual program directors wandering around. Faculty. SRNAs. All there. Super chill, even if you’re “just an ICU nurse.”

Worried you’ll stick out? That’s actually good. People notice when you step up, even if you feel like an imposter. More than once we’ve seen applicants get remembered for being the only pre-CRNA at a session (one director straight up told a student “can’t wait to see your application”). Or, one time, a faculty member gave a shout-out to a student mid-presentation. Wild. Showing up = you on their radar. Period.

Plus, you’ll leave with so much random knowledge. New issues in anesthesia? Hot topics for your personal essay. Those “what’s the biggest challenge facing CRNAs” interview questions? You’ll have answers. Promise.

What’s the Big Deal About National AANA Events?

Okay, so state meetings are clutch. But if you want to go bigger? National AANA stuff is a whole different level. Think: Mid-Year Assembly (it’s advocacy central, DC vibes, policy overload, kind of overwhelming in a good way). The connections? Priceless. You’ll bump into leaders, professors, people who literally write the textbooks you’ve been highlighting at 2am.

Annual Congress is next-level. So many presentations. Networking. Dinners. Bar hangouts where someone’s always talking about their wildest case (or missing their dog). The 2023 Annual Congress in San Diego? Kind of legendary. We covered it in our Learning Library’s MID-YEAR ASSEMBLY RECAP (2024) if you missed it. Or catch the real scoop with Ep 65: “Annual Congress - San Diego” and Ep 46: “How the 2023 AANA Annual Congress REALLY went with Professor Temmermand.” We don't sugarcoat it. It’s a total mess of excitement and useful info.

Why You Shouldn’t Skip Faculty-Focused AANA Events

If you’re trying to get noticed, the Assembly of Didactic and Clinical Educators (ADCE) is the move. Don’t think it’s just for professors. CRNAs, SRNAs, pre-CRNAs. they all show up. It’s where you pick up on what’s changing in curriculum (hint: helps you on interviews) and get the vibe on what faculty actually care about. More faculty, more chances to chat. More random advice you didn’t know you needed.

Want to know how to actually show your “value add” when you talk to people? Try the Communicating Value Add lesson in our Learning Library (free trial, seriously, just do it). And if you’re still piecing together the basics, these are clutch: CRNA School Requirements and How to Become a CRNA. No shame in double-checking your checklist.

For more information, check these trusted resources: AANA.

Our Final Thoughts

Here’s the honest truth: Networking isn’t optional. It’s the thing no one talks about in those how-to-get-in guides, but it’s why some people stand out. We get it, putting yourself out there feels weird. But the CRNA Club was built for this. helping you find your crew and make connections that actually matter. Want to hear more real stories? Don’t miss Ep 27: “YOUR Secret Weapon When Applying to CRNA School.” Or if you want quick wins, check out the MID-YEAR ASSEMBLY RECAP (2024) lesson in our Learning Library (free 7-day trial at https://thecrnaclub.com. zero excuses left).

We’ll see you at the next meeting. Come say hi. promise we’re friendly.