CRNA School Prep Academy Podcast

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App

CRNA school admissions can feel like guesswork until you hear how faculty break it down in real time. We sit down with Dr. Matthew Harmon, a CRNA educator and admissions leader (and assistant program director at the University of Evansville), for an Instagram Live Q and A packed with the kind of specifics applicants crave: what actually makes a competitive application, how to prepare for tough interview formats, and what “good ICU experience” really means when programs evaluate critical care readiness. 

We talk through NursingCAS, building a resume that goes beyond the minimum, and choosing certifications that fit your unit instead of chasing random letters. Dr. Harmon shares practical interview prep anchored in ACLS-level scenarios, vasopressors, electrolyte management, and emotional intelligence questions that reveal how you handle conflict and pressure. You will also hear straight talk on references, leadership when you are not charge, rolling admissions timing, and why humility matters even if you are coming from an NP or other advanced practice path. 

There is also a high-yield clinical detour into malignant hyperthermia: what triggers it, what early signs to watch for, and why succinylcholine is not the answer. If you are already accepted, the guidance is refreshingly grounded: protect your energy, avoid burnout, and keep prep simple with daily EKG practice and approachable anesthesia reading. 

Subscribe for more CRNA school prep that is honest and actionable, share this with a nurse who is applying, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next.

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App

We break down the real difference between ventilation and oxygenation and explain why mixing them up leads to bad reads on ETCO2, SpO2, and ABGs. Then we open the floor for live Q and A on CRNA admissions, interviews, prerequisites, and ways to strengthen an application. 
• Ventilation as a mechanical process moving air and clearing CO2 
• How we measure ventilation with tidal volume, respiratory rate, minute ventilation, and end tidal CO2 
• Hypoventilation vs hyperventilation and how CO2 shifts drive acidosis or alkalosis 
• Oxygenation as gas exchange from alveoli to blood and then to tissues 
• How we measure oxygenation with PaO2 and oxygen saturation 
• Causes of hypoxemia including diffusion defects and ventilation perfusion mismatch 
• Shunt vs dead space with a pulmonary embolus example 
• Why adequate ventilation is necessary but not sufficient for good oxygenation 
• CRNA school questions on state vs private programs and the importance of accreditation 
• Interview advice including staying genuine, avoiding scripted answers, and handling nerves gracefully 
• Ventilator modes explained from an anesthesia machine perspective including volume control, pressure control, SIMV, and pressure control with volume guarantee 
• Common prerequisite courses and how to approach program specific requirements 
• Using graduate level coursework to help offset a borderline GPA 

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App

Ready for a real look inside CRNA admissions and the evolving practice of anesthesia? We invited Dr. Michelle Ballister—CRNA of 18 years, former admissions chair, and longtime educator—to share what truly moves the needle for applicants and what today’s anesthesia landscape demands from new clinicians. She pulls back the curtain on how committees segment GPAs (cumulative, science, prerequisite), why repeats aren’t an automatic dealbreaker, and how to present recent academic wins so they actually land.

We walk through the resume details that matter: clear timelines for travel assignments, perfect alignment between your application and CV, and meaningful leadership that shows you take initiative—charge shifts, precepting, committee work, research data collection, and community roles all count. If your GPA feels heavy from years of credits, Michelle offers a smarter path: targeted graduate-level courses like physiology or clinical pharmacology to prove you can excel now, deepen clinical knowledge, and potentially lighten a future semester. She also explains when to retake prerequisites versus when to invest in advanced coursework, with a reminder that program requirements aren’t negotiable and your time and money should work for you.

On the clinical front, we explore where anesthesia is heading: ultrasound-guided regional techniques, multimodal pain strategies, and a reduced reliance on opioids. Michelle shares how to translate that shift into interview strength—grounding answers in the autonomic nervous system, articulating GS vs GI signaling, and tying receptor talk to real drug effects and patient outcomes. Throughout, you’ll get practical scripts for contacting faculty, making the most of info sessions, and building credibility beyond the numbers.

If you’re aiming for CRNA school and want a plan that’s honest, efficient, and aligned with modern practice, this conversation will sharpen your approach and your confidence. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share with a fellow ICU nurse, and leave a review telling us the one action you’ll take this week.

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App

Pressors save lives, but only when they match the real problem. Dr. Matthew Harmon joins us to decode how norepinephrine, phenylephrine, and vasopressin change vascular tone, cardiac output, and organ perfusion—and how to pick the right one under pressure. 

We start with a crisp hemodynamic framework: MAP as the product of cardiac output and SVR, and stroke volume shaped by preload, contractility, and afterload. From there, we translate receptor pharmacology into bedside choices so you can raise pressure without stealing flow.

We walk through why norepinephrine’s strong alpha-1 with modest beta-1 support often makes it a go-to for septic shock and low EF patients, delivering perfusion pressure while keeping heart rate and myocardial oxygen demand in check. Phenylephrine earns its place for anesthetic-induced hypotension and aortic stenosis by tightening vessels and slowing the heart, but we call out its hidden tax on flow when contractility lags. 

Then we pivot to vasopressin’s V1 pathway, ideal for catecholamine-resistant vasodilation, ACE inhibitor–induced vasoplegia, and acidotic states where adrenergic drugs stumble—plus practical dosing that avoids gut and skin hypoperfusion.

Throughout, we focus on individualizing MAP targets, honoring cerebral and renal autoregulation, and protecting patients in high-risk scenarios like sitting shoulder surgery. You’ll hear why short-acting agents beat long-acting antihypertensives intraop, how to convert ICU drip instincts to precise push-dose habits, and when to rethink nitrous, ephedrine, and ketamine. 

We also share CRNA interview prep you can use today: anchor answers in ACLS and PALS, show your receptor-level reasoning, and explain not just what you’d do, but why.

If you’re an ICU nurse eyeing anesthesia, or a practicing provider sharpening your pressor playbook, this session brings clarity you can use on your next case. Subscribe, share with a teammate who loves clean hemodynamics, and leave a review with your favorite pressor pearl.

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App

Ready for a clear, candid roadmap to CRNA school? Dr. Newman, a 21-year CRNA and seasoned admissions educator, takes over the mic to answer your toughest questions about applications, interviews, and the realities of nurse anesthesia training. 

 If you’ve wondered whether to retake sciences, how much shadowing truly matters, or why your CCRN score (not just the pass) can shift your odds, this session gives you straight answers with actionable steps.

We dig into how to leverage graduate-level science courses to elevate a 3.2 science GPA, what programs read between the lines of your transcripts, and how to build a resilient plan if you’re applying while still finishing pathophysiology or pharmacology. 

You’ll learn why shadowing a CRNA beats shadowing an anesthesiologist for insight and credibility, how to refresh older hours from 2022, and smart ways to break through hospital barriers—especially by tapping independent practices or your own facility. We also cover night-shift and travel nurse strategies for strong references from managers, charge nurses, intensivists, and educators who can vouch for your clinical judgment and teamwork.

The conversation turns practical on workload and money: why working during school undermines success, what a residency-style week really looks like, and how to prep your finances so you can focus on patient safety and mastery. For interviews, we show you how to manage nerves, think aloud with clinical structure, and project calm authority at the head of the bed. 

Considering an academic medical center? Frame that goal with research, teaching, and committee work to show range. For DNP projects, we point you to APSF to mine timely patient safety issues—med safety, airway crises, handoffs, equipment reliability—and sketch projects with measurable outcomes and real implementation potential. We wrap with tips for applying to multiple schools without quality slips, plus how to list a pending abstract without overreaching.

If you’re serious about CRNA school, this is your playbook: GPA moves that matter, shadowing that counts, interviews that reveal composure, and a DNP idea that advances patient safety. Subscribe, share with a colleague who’s applying, and leave a review telling us the one step you’re taking this week.

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App

Perfection isn’t the price of entry. Dr. Matthew Harmon, CRNA and faculty coach, sits down with our community for a candid Q&A on what admissions committees really value and how to turn your current profile into a compelling yes. We dig into emotional intelligence interviews, realistic GPA strategies, and actionable ways to show programs that you’re ready for the rigor and responsibility of anesthesia training.

We start by flipping common assumptions: you don’t need a flawless transcript to be competitive, but you do need evidence of growth, teamwork, and sound judgment. You’ll hear how to practice for behavioral and EI prompts, what good group dynamics look like, and how to avoid sounding either passive or arrogant. We also get specific about academics—when to take graduate-level pathophysiology or statistics, when retaking anatomy and chemistry makes sense, and how schools weigh cumulative GPA, nursing GPA, and your most recent 60 credit hours.

If you were waitlisted or denied, this conversation gives you a roadmap: ask for clear feedback, act on it, and return with a truly different application. We cover references when managers are unavailable, which certifications actually help (CCRN, CMC, TCRN), and smart questions to ask program leaders at open houses. International nurses get guidance on building U.S. ICU experience and documenting recency. And for those newly admitted, we talk about the surprising best prep: rest, protect your energy, and arrive ready for a sustained pace rather than cramming ahead.

If you’re serious about becoming a CRNA, this is your playbook for standing out without burning out. Subscribe, share this with a colleague who needs a boost, and leave a quick review to help more ICU nurses find the show. What’s the next concrete step you’ll take this week?

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App

A still body can hide a restless mind. We take you inside the judgment calls that separate safe care from silent suffering, breaking down why sedation must come before paralysis, how to pick the right agent for the job, and what real monitoring looks like when movement disappears. 

Featuring CSPA faculty coach and Assistant Program Director at the University of Evansville Dr. Matthew Harmon, DNP, CRNA, tune in as we map the core properties of propofol, midazolam, ketamine, and dexmedetomidine, explaining where each shines, where they fall short, and how to combine them for ventilator tolerance, alcohol withdrawal, and smoother wake-ups.

From there, we get precise with neuromuscular blockade. Succinylcholine’s speed comes with serious risks—hyperkalemia, myalgias, malignant hyperthermia—while rocuronium offers rapid onset with the safety net of sugammadex for true reversal. Cisatracurium’s Hofmann elimination makes it the ICU favorite when organ failure limits options. We walk through high-yield RSI pairings for unstable patients, asthmatics, and trauma, emphasizing hemodynamic stability and airway planning with backup routes before giving the first dose.

Monitoring ties it all together. Learn how to set RASS targets, use BIS thoughtfully, interpret autonomic red flags like tachycardia and lacrimation, and titrate train-of-four to match goals in the ICU versus the OR. We also cover reversal pitfalls—flumazenil in benzodiazepine dependence, naloxone’s catecholamine surge—and share practical tips on IV integrity, ventilator settings, and post-intubation stabilization. If you’re preparing for CRNA school or refining ICU practice, this is a clear, actionable roadmap to safer sedation, smarter paralysis, and better outcomes at the bedside.

If this helped sharpen your practice, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a review so more ICU nurses and future CRNAs can find it.

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App

Getting into CRNA school can feel overwhelming, especially when you start comparing GPA requirements and wondering what’s really “good enough.” Maybe you’re asking yourself, Do I need to retake science classes for CRNA school? Should I take graduate-level courses to boost my GPA? Will they even accept a class from Portage Learning? You’re not alone.

Many nurses applying to CRNA programs find themselves stressing over GPA requirements, figuring out which classes matter most and whether they should retake them, all while deciding how to boost their chances of getting accepted.

Today we break down CRNA GPA requirements, what schools actually consider competitive, and how to strengthen your application if your GPA is on the lower side. You’ll learn when retaking anatomy, chemistry, or microbiology makes sense, whether graduate-level pathophysiology or pharmacology courses can help, and how to pick programs that accept lower GPAs or focus on your last 60 credit hours.

Whether you’re sitting at a 3.0 GPA or trying to figure out how to recover from a low science GPA, this episode will help you understand your options and take the next step toward becoming a CRNA.

Key Takeaways

• Why some CRNA programs value graduate-level science courses and others don’t
• How to decide when retaking a prerequisite like A&P, stats, or microbiology makes sense
• Why schools care more about your science GPA than your overall GPA
• How to choose courses that actually help you show academic growth (not just repeat A’s)
• The truth about online classes like Portage or Phoenix — and how to confirm they’ll count

Want Guaranteed CRNA School Admission? Learn More about the CSPA Money Back Guarantee here: https://community.crnaschoolprepacademy.com/6-12-month-intensive

Get access to application & interview preparation resources plus ICU Educational Workshops that have helped thousands of nurses accelerate their CRNA success. Become a member of CRNA School Prep Academy: https://community.crnaschoolprepacademy.com/join-cspaJoin the Free CSPA Community!Connect with Aspiring CRNAs, Nurse Anesthesia Residents, practicing CRNAs, and CRNA Program Faculty Mentors who are ready to support you. Get real answers and expert guidance in a welcoming space that’s free from misinformation and negativity. You don’t have to do this alone! Join Now: https://www.cspaedu.com/community

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App

Starting your journey as an ICU nurse can feel both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you’re learning to balance patient care, critical thinking, and confidence in a high-acuity environment. From mastering hemodynamics to finding mentorship and clarity about your future goals, every nurse’s path begins with growth.

In this episode of the CSPA Podcast, Jenny talks with real ICU nurses she met at the NTI Conference. You’ll hear authentic stories about learning the ICU ropes, staying resilient under pressure, and how these experiences are preparing them for CRNA school and beyond.

These powerful conversations will leave you inspired and equipped with practical insight — whether you’re a new ICU nurse seeking advice, exploring critical care nursing tips, or preparing to become a nurse anesthetist.

Episode Highlights:

-Real ICU nurse advice for new nurses entering critical care -Tips for building confidence and efficiency as a new ICU nurse -How to stay resilient and keep learning in a high-pressure environment -Professional growth through NTI and nurse mentorship opportunities -How ICU experience prepares you for CRNA school and career success

Want more CRNA insights? Sign up for a FREE LIVE Q&A Session "Stand Out & Get In" to learn everything you need to know about getting into CRNA school.

Want Guaranteed CRNA School Admission? Learn More about the CSPA Money Back Guarantee here: https://community.crnaschoolprepacademy.com/join-cspa

Join the Free CSPA Community! Connect with Aspiring CRNAs, Nurse Anesthesia Residents, practicing CRNAs, and CRNA Program Faculty Mentors who are ready to support you. Get real answers and expert guidance in a welcoming space that's free from misinformation and negativity. You don't have to do this alone! Join Now: https://www.cspaedu.com/community

Get clearer guidance, live group coaching, and answers to the questions you keep Googling inside CSPA Community+. Try it free for 30 days. No credit card required.

Want more support as you prepare for CRNA school? Get 7 days FREE inside CRNA School Prep Academy!

Explore the CSPA community, learning pathways, clinical education, interview prep, and resources designed to help you become a stronger, more confident CRNA school applicant.

👉 Start your 7 days FREE inside CSPA [HERE]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University! 

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

Join the waitlist today and be the first to know when tickets become available.

Get free CRNA school prep resources, guidance, and tools right inside the CSPA app so you can keep moving toward your CRNA goals with more clarity and confidence. 👉Download the App