Becoming a CRNA takes 7-9 years total: 4 years for your BSN, 1-2 years gaining ICU experience, and 3-4 years in doctoral-level CRNA school. Yes, it’s a significant time investment, but you’ll emerge as one of the highest-paid nursing professionals ($212,650 median salary) with the autonomy to practice independently in many states. […]
Your path to becoming a CRNA requires a BSN degree, RN license, 1-2 years of ICU experience, and a doctoral degree (DNP or DNAP) from an accredited program—a total of 7-9 years of education and training. Starting January 2025, all new CRNAs must hold a doctorate, reflecting the advanced expertise you’ll need […]
While most CRNA programs set a minimum GPA of 3.0, the reality is you’ll need a 3.4-3.7 to be competitive, with top programs averaging 3.75 for accepted students. Your science GPA matters even more than your overall GPA—programs scrutinize your performance in anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and chemistry because these directly predict your […]
CRNA school is one of the most challenging graduate programs in healthcare—you’ll study 60-80 hours weekly, complete 2,000+ clinical hours, and maintain at least a B average in doctoral-level courses where 92% might be the minimum passing score. But here’s the reality: with first-time certification pass rates averaging 85-90% and near 100% […]
Traditional ICU experience is strongly preferred by most CRNA programs, but alternative critical care experiences like PICU, NICU, emergency departments, and flight nursing are increasingly accepted—if you can prove you’ve managed unstable patients with invasive monitoring and vasoactive drips. The key isn’t the unit’s name but your actual experience managing critically ill […]
Fully online CRNA programs don’t exist because you need 2,000+ hours of hands-on clinical training, but hybrid programs let you complete coursework online while attending intensive on-campus sessions and local clinical rotations. These programs offer flexibility for working nurses, with schools like Drexel, University of Miami, and UAB providing online didactic education […]
