When I was going through this, I felt like I was constantly searching for answers. Forums, old Reddit threads, random blog posts. I was piecing together advice from people who went to school five years ago, trying to figure out what still applied and what did not.
So I built this.
This blog is my way of documenting what I learned. Not because I have it all figured out. Not because my path is the right path. But because maybe seeing what worked for me will give you ideas about what might work for you.
I passed the CCRN on my first try. I got into my top choice CRNA program. But I also made mistakes. I wasted time on things that did not matter. I stressed about things that turned out to be fine. And I wish someone had just laid it all out for me honestly.
Why this journey feels lonely.
Here is something no one talks about: as a new grad ICU nurse, mentioning CRNA school can be taboo. Some people will support you. Others will see it as you not being committed to bedside nursing. You learn quickly to keep your goals quiet.
But you are still working full time in the ICU. You are still studying for the CCRN. You are still managing applications and interviews and trying to figure out what programs are even looking for. And through it all, you are doing it alone because talking about it openly feels risky.
That is why I wanted this space to exist. So you have somewhere to come that understands what you are going through, even if you cannot talk about it out loud yet.
What this is NOT.
This is not a step-by-step guide. This is not me saying "do these exact things and you will get in." Because that is not how it works.
I learned this after I got accepted and met my cohort. People came from all different ICU backgrounds. Some worked in surgical ICUs and others worked in pediatric ICUs. Some lived locally. Others traveled all the way across the country.
And it makes sense. As a CRNA, you need to build trust with patients. You need to connect with people. And the same type of person is not going to connect with everyone. That is why programs want people from different backgrounds and life experiences.
So this blog is just my story. What I did. What helped me. What I wish I had known. Hopefully it helps you too.
I am about to start school. I will keep documenting what I learn as I go. New posts, new materials, new stages. Check back whenever you need something. This will keep growing.