The CRNA Club Podcast

By Sachi LordBusiness Science Education How To Careers

The CRNA Club Podcast episodes

November 03Coagulation Cascade Explained: Cell-Based Model, PT/INR, aPTT and Anticoagulants
The coagulation cascade is the chain of clotting factor steps which ends in thrombin. Thrombin cuts fibrinogen into fibrin, the mesh holding a clot together. The extrinsic and intrinsic pathways both meet at factor 10, and the PT and aPTT time how long fibrin takes to form after each pathway starts. We start with a question: why does a patient on Plavix bleed when the platelet count, PT and aPTT are all normal? Then we follow the cell-based model from injury to fibrin, and read each test and each drug against it.
RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:
Grab the free Anticoagulation Cheat Sheet
KEY POINTS:
Extrinsic pathway: tissue factor plus factor 7 activates factor 10, and three plus seven equals ten
Intrinsic pathway: the order is 12, 11, 9 and 8, which also reaches factor 10
Common pathway: 10, 5, 2 and 1, with factor 13 cross linking the fibrin
Platelet adhesion, activation and aggregation, and how aspirin and clopidogrel block them for the 7 to 10 day life of a platelet
The cell-based model: initiation, amplification and propagation
Why missing factor 8 or 9 causes hemophilia bleeding
Antithrombin, protein C and plasmin as the brakes on clotting
How the PT, INR and aPTT work, with typical values of PT 9.5 to 12.5 seconds, INR 0.9 to 1.1 and aPTT 25 to 37 seconds
Heparin, enoxaparin, HIT and protamine reversal
Warfarin, vitamin K and four-factor PCC reversal
Direct oral anticoagulants, argatroban and Praxbind

FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline
Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
YouTube: The CRNA Club
Website: thecrnaclub.com
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
17 min
November 01Shock Classification and Hemodynamics
Grab the FREE Types of Shock Comparison Cheat Sheet: https://thecrnaclub.com/free/types-of-shock-comparison-cheat-sheet
Try The CRNA Club FREE for 7 days: https://thecrnaclub.com/free-trial
The four types of shock are hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive and obstructive. MAP roughly equals cardiac output times SVR, and a different piece of that equation breaks in each type. Hypovolemic loses preload, cardiogenic loses pump strength, distributive loses vascular tone, and obstructive blocks filling or forward flow. Cardiac output, filling pressures and SVR show which piece broke.
IN THIS EPISODE:
How shock starts with oxygen delivery and what happens inside the cell
Baroreceptors, alpha-1, beta-1, RAAS and vasopressin as the body's response
Hypovolemic shock numbers and the bedside picture
Cardiogenic shock, the wedge pressure, right ventricular infarct and treatment
Septic, anaphylactic and neurogenic shock as the three distributive types
Massive PE, tamponade and tension pneumothorax as obstructive shock
Telling the types apart from cardiac output, filling pressures, SVR, wedge and PA diastolic
Where to keep learning shock pathophysiology and pharmacology

COMMON QUESTIONS:
Do all types of shock cause hypotension?
Not always. In hypovolemic shock the vessels clamp down, so blood pressure often holds until about 30 percent of blood volume is lost. Heart rate, pulse pressure, lactate and urine output usually change first, so a normal blood pressure does not rule shock out.
Is sepsis a type of shock?
Septic shock is a type of distributive shock, but sepsis alone is not septic shock. Septic shock means sepsis where a vasopressor is still needed to keep the MAP at 65 or higher after adequate fluids, with a lactate above 2. Nitric oxide relaxes the vessels, so the SVR falls.
What type of shock does cardiac tamponade cause?
Cardiac tamponade causes obstructive shock. Fluid or blood fills the pericardial sac, pressure rises and chambers barely fill. Cardiac output falls, and CVP, PA diastolic and wedge pressures rise toward one number. Beck's triad is low blood pressure, distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds. Drainage fixes it.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
Website: thecrnaclub.com
29 min
October 22CRNA Personal Statement Examples: Top 5 Essay Questions
CRNA personal statement examples help when you understand the question each essay needs to answer. Sachi walks through five essay questions and explains how to keep your response specific, personal, and aligned with the prompt.
RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:
Essay Critique
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline
IN THIS EPISODE:
Answering the full essay prompt
Choosing specific experiences
Connecting your experience to your goals

Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
YouTube: The CRNA Club
Website: thecrnaclub.com
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
18 min
October 20Best CRNA Programs: Compare Cost, Pass Rates, Clinical Sites & Fit
Best CRNA programs depend on your application, budget, and clinical goals. Sachi explains how to compare costs, pass rates, clinical sites, and program fit when building your school list.
RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:
CRNA School Database
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline
IN THIS EPISODE:
Tuition and total cost
Pass rates and clinical experiences
Program fit and school comparison

Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
YouTube: The CRNA Club
Website: thecrnaclub.com
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
12 min
October 17CRNA Requirements: GPA, ICU Experience, CCRN, GRE & Prerequisites
CRNA requirements vary by program. Sachi walks through GPA, ICU experience, CCRN, GRE policies, and prerequisites so you can compare your background with your target schools and plan your next steps.
RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:
CRNA School Database
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline
IN THIS EPISODE:
GPA and transcript preparation
ICU experience and certifications
GRE policies and prerequisite planning

Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
YouTube: The CRNA Club
Website: thecrnaclub.com
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
14 min
October 16ICU Experience for CRNA School: What Counts and How Much You Need
ICU experience for CRNA school raises practical questions about unit type, patient acuity, and how long to work before applying. Sachi explains how to assess your experience against published program requirements and decide what to build next.
RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:
CRNA School Database
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline
IN THIS EPISODE:
ICU duration and patient acuity
Adult and specialty ICU experience
Planning your next application steps

Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
YouTube: The CRNA Club
Website: thecrnaclub.com
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
16 min
October 12G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Gq, Gs, and Gi Pathways Explained
Phenylephrine tightens blood vessels, albuterol opens the airway, and Precedex turns down the sympathetic nervous system. All three drugs send their message through G protein-coupled receptors. Sachi, a practicing CRNA and founder of The CRNA Club, starts with what a receptor is, compares the four major receptor families, and follows the Gq, Gs, and Gi pathways step by step, from the receptor to the second messenger to the effect you see at the bedside.
FREE GPCR SIGNALING CHEAT SHEET: Download the GPCR Signaling Cheat Sheet - Gq, Gs, and Gi routes, second messengers, and the hook-drug chains on one page
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline
IN THIS EPISODE:
What a receptor is and how the four major receptor families compare
How the G protein relay works, and what Gq-coupled, Gs-coupled, and Gi-coupled mean
How the Gq pathway releases stored calcium, and why calcium doesn't always mean contraction
Why beta-1 and beta-2 both use Gs and still act differently in heart muscle and airway smooth muscle
How milrinone raises cyclic AMP by blocking phosphodiesterase 3 instead of activating a receptor
How the Gi pathway lowers cyclic AMP and opens potassium channels, with a Precedex bedside case
How to walk through a drug's mechanism in a CRNA school interview

Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
YouTube: The CRNA Club
Website: thecrnaclub.com
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
19 min
October 04How CRNA Schools Read Your Transcript: GPA, Grades, and What to Retake
Your transcript tells a bigger story than one GPA. Sachi explains how to read your cumulative, science, and last 60 credits GPAs, why individual science grades matter, and how to decide whether your next course should be a retake or a step forward in the same subject. She also covers repeat courses in NursingCAS, older science grades, pass or fail coursework, and what a strong upward trend can show.
START WITH YOUR TRANSCRIPT:
Free Transcript Analyzer - Review your coursework and plan your next step.
IN THIS EPISODE:
What cumulative, science, and last 60 credits GPAs each show
Why two applicants with the same science GPA may have different grade patterns
How NursingCAS treats repeated courses and course categories
When to retake a required class and when a higher level course may show recovery
How to give each planned course a clear purpose

FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last 60 credits GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the application process in order
CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner - Build a study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator - Build a CRNA application timeline
Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
YouTube: The CRNA Club
Website: thecrnaclub.com
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
13 min
September 25Ventilator Modes Explained: AC, SIMV, and Pressure Support
Ventilator mode names vary, but the reasoning starts with the targeted variable, breath sequence, and the patient's work of breathing. This episode breaks down volume-targeted and pressure-targeted breaths, assist-control, SIMV, pressure support, peak versus plateau pressure, and the hemodynamic effects of positive-pressure ventilation.
RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:
Mechanical Ventilation Modes Cheat Sheet
CRNA Application Checklist
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline
IN THIS EPISODE:
Volume-targeted versus pressure-targeted breaths
Assist-control, SIMV, and pressure support
Peak pressure versus plateau pressure
How PEEP and positive pressure affect hemodynamics

Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
YouTube: The CRNA Club
Website: thecrnaclub.com
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
17 min
September 23Hemodynamics Explained for ICU Nurses
Hemodynamics makes more sense when pressure, flow, resistance, and oxygen delivery are interpreted together. Sachi connects preload, afterload, contractility, compliance, stroke volume, cardiac output, cardiac index, SVR, CVP, PAOP, and fluid responsiveness, then applies the full profile to a CRNA school interview case.
RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE:
Hemodynamics Preload & Afterload Quick Reference
CRNA Mock Interview Practice
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline
IN THIS EPISODE:
Pressure versus flow and why blood pressure can mislead
Preload, afterload, contractility, and compliance
Fluid responsiveness and pressure surrogates
A six-pass approach to hemodynamic profiles

Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub
YouTube: The CRNA Club
Website: thecrnaclub.com
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
17 min

About The CRNA Club Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Wish you knew exactly what you needed to do to get into CRNA school? Need help coming up with a strategy to be a competitive applicant? You're in the right place! You'll get all of that and more when you tune into The CRNA Club Podcast with your host (and practicing CRNA) Sachi Lord. Her specialty? Breaking things down and turning them into bite-sized actionable steps and dishing the strategy you need to be a competitive applicant. Tune in, get inspired, and learn exactly what you need to do to check all the right boxes so you can get into CRNA school and join #thecrnaclub.