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Nurses Week: Celebrating the Heart of Nursing—and the Courage to Dream Bigger
Nurses Week is here, and I just want to take a moment to say this: thank you. Thank you for the long shifts, the late nights, the emotional labor, and the quiet strength you bring into every patient room.
Whether you’re fresh out of nursing school or have years of experience under your belt, your work matters more than most people will ever know.
Every year from May 6 to May 12, we celebrate Nurses Week, a time dedicated to recognizing the incredible work nurses do every single day. If you’re a nurse reading this, I hope you take a moment to acknowledge everything you’ve accomplished.
I know that’s not always easy. Nurses are really good at caring for everyone else. We don’t often pause to think about just how far we’ve come.
But let me tell you this: whether you’re in the thick of 12-hour shifts in the ICU, studying for your CCRN, actively applying to CRNA school, or just trying to figure out what comes next—you are doing hard, important things. And that deserves to be celebrated.
When the Path Isn’t Clear (And You Feel Like You’re Falling Behind)
I started my own journey toward CRNA school without a roadmap. Back then, the information just wasn’t out there—not in any clear or consistent way. It felt like everyone was guarding the “secrets” to getting accepted, and I was constantly questioning if I had what it took.
I bombed my first CRNA school interview. I mean, really bombed it. I didn’t know what to expect, wasn’t sure how to prepare, and walked away feeling like I’d blown my only shot.
What I didn’t know then—and what I want you to know now—is that it’s okay to fail forward. That interview was a turning point for me. It forced me to figure out what I was missing and start building a better plan.
I also spent a long time wondering why studying always felt harder for me than it did for my peers. It wasn’t until years later that I was diagnosed with dyslexia. Suddenly, so much of my academic struggle made sense. But at the time? I just felt inadequate. Like I wasn’t cut out for the level of focus and detail CRNA school demanded.
These are the things we don’t talk about enough. The late nights of doubt. The learning curves. The fear that maybe we’re the exception—the one nurse who won’t make it.
But if you’re reading this, and you have even the tiniest voice in your head saying, maybe I could become a CRNA—I want you to listen to that voice. And I want you to know there’s a way forward.
This Is What We’re Here For
I created CRNA School Prep Academy (CSPA) because I don’t want another nurse to feel as lost as I did. I wanted to make the process more transparent, more strategic, and more human. There’s still a lot of conflicting advice out there, and it’s easy to get overwhelmed or spend months going in circles.
That’s where CSPA comes in. We offer the tools, mentorship, and real-world strategies that help nurses stand out as competitive CRNA candidates—without burning out or trying to piece it all together alone.
Inside the Academy, we focus on:
- Strengthening your application—no matter where you’re starting from
- Preparing for the interview with confidence
- Understanding the “why” behind what CRNA schools are looking for
- Creating a path that’s right for you—not just some generic checklist
And we also recognize that not every nurse has the resources or privilege to invest in paid coaching right away. That’s why we’ve made it a core part of our mission to offer tons of free tools and support for anyone who needs it.
Here are a few places to start:
- Join ICU Dreaming About Anesthesia, our Free Community on the Circle app– Connect with thousands of like-minded nurses, ask questions, and get support right from your phone, for free!
- Check out our Free Resources Page – Use our interactive CRNA Schools by State Map, our Free GPA Calculator, watch a webinar on The CRNA Career Path, or grab free study guides and interview prep resources
- Join me for a free, LIVE coaching session “Stand Out and Get In”: These live coaching sessions, held inside our Circle community, are great ways to get insights on how to Stand Out and Get In while asking questions and learning from others.
Whether you’re ready to dive all-in or just exploring your options, you’re welcome here. And we’ll meet you exactly where you are.
This Nurses Week, I Hope You Take a Moment
I hope you reflect on how much you’ve already done—and how far you’ve already come. And if CRNA is something you want, I hope you give yourself permission to want it. You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start.
Grab this FREE 8 Steps to CRNA Planning Guide- Updated with 2025 requirements and EVERYTHING you need to know about how to become a CRNA.
The path might not be perfectly laid out. It rarely is. But that doesn’t mean you’re not capable of walking it.
You were made for more. And we’re here to help you get there.
Happy Nurses Week 2025!
-Jenny Finnell, MSN, CRNA
Founder and CEO of CRNA School Prep Academy
Important Links
Want Guaranteed CRNA School Admission? Learn More about the CSPA 12-Month Intensive Here: https://www.cspaedu.com/meblfkto
Get CRNA School insights sent straight to your inbox! Sign up for the CSPA email newsletter: https://www.cspaedu.com/podcast-email
Book a mock interview, resume or personal statement critique, transcript review and more: www.teachrn.com
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