Cracking CRNA Admissions: Myths, Interviews, And Next Steps

ICU nurses often assume CRNA admissions require a perfect GPA, a perfect resume, and a flawless interview. In this faculty led session from CRNA School Prep Academy, Dr. Matthew Harmon breaks down what actually matters most in CRNA school admissions, and what you can do when your application is not “perfect on paper.”

You will hear practical, real world guidance on nurse anesthesia interview questions (especially emotional intelligence prompts), how to prep using a CRNA mock interview approach, and how programs may view NursingCAS GPA trends when your strongest grades are more recent than your earlier coursework.

If you are reapplying, dealing with a waitlist, worried about references, or you are a Canadian nurse exploring CRNA school in the U.S., this episode gives you clear next steps to build a stronger, more confident application cycle.

Key Takeaways

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Watch the episode here

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CRNA Admissions: What Faculty Coaches Wish Applicants Knew

Welcome to the CRNA School Prep Academy Podcast, where we have helped guide more than 10,000 ICU nurses on their path toward CRNA school. Our mission is to combine education, guidance, and professional growth so you can move confidently toward your goal of becoming a CRNA.

Whether you are still in nursing school or you are a seasoned ICU nurse, this podcast is here for you.

In today’s episode, you are listening to one of our faculty-led sessions streamed live on CSPA’s Instagram. Depending on the night, this may be an open Q&A where we take your questions in real time, or a focused topic discussion where we go deep on an area that can strengthen your knowledge and build your confidence.

If you want to follow along and join us live, make sure you are following CSPA on Instagram and watch for session announcements. You can also join CSPA’s free community, where we share the schedule of upcoming sessions. When you tune in live, you can ask questions, get clarity on the spot, and learn alongside other nurses navigating the same path.

As a quick reminder about who you are learning from, every session is led by CSPA coaches and faculty who are deeply committed to your success in pursuing this career.

Without further ado, let’s get into today’s episode.

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My name is Dr. Matthew Harmon. I’m one of the faculty coaches here at CSPA. I’ve got over eight years of experience as a CRNA, five years in academia, and I’ve spent years working on admissions and helping people get into CRNA school. So I’m very familiar with the process.

We’re going to have about a 15-minute Q&A session today, and I’m looking forward to answering some topics.

In the future, when we have these sessions, we’re going to highlight a number of tough topics, including pharmacology, pathophysiology, hemodynamic management, and other core concepts that you’re going to need to master for CRNA school.

So feel free to ask any questions and we can get things going. Excited to spend this time with you guys.

So while you’re thinking of some questions, let me touch on something I get asked a lot, and that’s misconceptions about CRNA school.

A lot of people think they have to have perfect everything. They think they have to have a perfect GPA, GRE, resume, and truly that’s not the case.

Whenever you are thinking about applying for CRNA school, one of the best things to do is to use programs like this, like CRNA School Prep Academy, to help you get prepared and strengthen any areas that might not be as good as you want them to be. People are successful all the time.

Alright, I have a first question here.

How do you recommend preparing for emotional intelligence (EI) interview questions?

Nurse Anesthesia Interview Questions

Emotional intelligence questions can be very challenging. One of the big things I always encourage people to think about is: what is the interview committee wanting to gain from asking these questions?

What they’re wanting is insight into how you think and function, and how well you will assimilate into their program.

With emotional intelligence questions, you want to answer honestly, but you need to think about what will make you sound like a team player. What will make you sound confident but not cocky. There’s a fine line there with anesthesia.

When it comes to preparing for EI questions, we have some great resources here at CSPA. A number of us give a lecture on how to prepare for these types of questions, and we’ve got plenty of resources for that.

But one of the best ways is practice. Practice those questions.

And whenever you’re in a setting or in a group of people, I tell students this a lot. Sometimes they’ll put you in a group setting. I’ve got a bunch of little sayings, and this is one of my favorites: you’ve got two ears and one mouth, so you should always listen twice as much as you talk.

So whenever you’re in group settings like that, you want to participate, but you don’t want to be the loudest person. You don’t want to dominate the conversation.

You want to contribute to show that you can engage, but you can also let other people take the lead and you can listen.

NursingCAS GPA

I’ve been out of school for 15 years. Do I have to retake a science and math course on graduate level?

It depends on the program.

I can say for the majority of programs, we really do like to see a graduate level course if you’ve been out that long, especially if your GPA is less than a 3.5. If it’s above a 3.5, you might not need to.

Additionally, stats and chemistry within the last 10 years is fairly helpful.

There are a number of colleges and online resources where you can take those. Portage Learning is one option. Certainly check with the school to make sure they accept credit from that.

But many online universities can give you a pretty good stats course or chemistry course to prepare you for school.

CRNA Mock Interview Strategy

How many mock interviews should we do before an interview?

As many as you possibly can.

It’s going to make you better. It’s going to make the interview process seem easier. The more practice you get, the better you’re going to be.

Whenever I do Q&A sessions through CSPA, I always open it up. When people tell me they’re interviewing in the next couple weeks, if we have time at the end of a session, I’ll say, “Hey, do you want me to ask you some questions?”

I’m always happy to do that to give people a feel for what it might be like.

CRNA Admissions Questions: 

I’m struggling to get my references together because I haven’t really stayed at one place too long. How heavily are references weighted?

It depends on the program. But overall, 98 to 99% of people are all going to have excellent references.

Anytime someone doesn’t have a good reference, if it’s just one that’s not good, I always wonder: does that person not like this individual?

Now, I’ve never seen more than one bad reference, or maybe one that isn’t a highly recommended reference, like “recommended with reservations.” If that happens, then I question if something is going on with that individual, or if something happened in the past.

So references are important. You should always have good references. But as long as they’re good, they’re not heavily weighted.

Any advice for newly admitted students? Any prep ahead of time?

Yes. You want to buy the biggest textbook. I’m joking.

Once you’re admitted, the only thing I want you to do is relax. You’re going to have three years of studying. You’re going to be working very hard. It is full-time, nonstop. So just relax.

There is no getting ahead. There is no rushing to do anything. That’s a great way to burn yourself out.

Take a vacation. Stop working at least one month before you start school, ideally a little bit more, to give yourself a break.

It’s three years full-time, year round. It’s going to be difficult. Don’t burn yourself out.

Do I have any experience working with students who have failed out of a master’s program before?

Somewhat. I have worked with a few students who have been unsuccessful in a CRNA program before and then came to one of the programs I was affiliated with.

One thing that stands out: when you’re in front of the interview committee and trying to show that you want to do this, and you want to try again, something has to be different.

If somebody was unsuccessful in a program before, you need to address that directly up front. Tell them what you’ve done to change things and how you will be successful this time.

That’s a great time to take some graduate level courses, or retake that course you were unsuccessful in, to show that things are very different.

Nothing should ever be held against you forever when it comes to academia. Things happen in life.

One situation I think of personally: someone had multiple family emergencies in a semester, took a leave of absence, came back a little too soon, and missed a course by maybe a point or a point and a half overall. That program had a policy of fail one class and you’re out.

They’re now a practicing CRNA.

It’s very possible. But you’re going to have to work hard to show you can do this and that something is different.

I applied last year and didn’t get in. This year I took organic chemistry and got in. That’s awesome. What else is most important to have in the resume?

Anytime you apply to a program and you’re waitlisted or don’t get in, always ask for feedback. When you go to reapply, things have to be different.

If you submit the exact same letters of reference, the exact same resume, the exact same everything, and nothing’s different, you’re likely to not be successful.

What we want to see from an admissions standpoint is what changed.

Attend the open houses. Talk to the program director or assistant director whenever you can. Ask them for feedback, get that feedback, and do exactly what they say.

That’s one of the best ways to show, “Hey, I am way more qualified this year.”

CRNA Admissions: If you submit the exact same letters of reference, the exact same resume, the exact same everything, and nothing’s different, you’re likely to not be successful.

Many times, I’ve sat in on interviews. I can think of one specifically: the first year was a rough interview. They worked a year on themselves, came back, and had one of the best interviews of their cohort.

It can be done, and it’s done often. But it takes work.

Any advice for newly admitted students?

Yeah. Don’t overstudy. Don’t overdo it. Take a vacation. Enjoy your life. Because school’s hard.

Overcoming Rejections and Waitlists

After interviewing and being waitlisted but never coming off the wait list, what are good ways one should prepare for the next cycle for applying with the same school?

Ask the school for feedback and do exactly what they say. If they say take a class, take a class. If they say get more certifications, get more certifications. If they say leadership experience, get leadership experience. If they say work on your interview process, work on it.

Stay up to date with those individuals. Attending an open house is a great way.

You don’t want to be domineering or chase them down, but in a setting like that, show you’re interested, keep professional boundaries, and show that you’re going to work on yourself.

Then show up with a resume that is improved and interview better. That’s the best way to get in.

And oftentimes those students who are waitlisted were so close. You are so very close. Sometimes the wait list is really deep, sometimes it’s not. Sometimes you’re one person away and it doesn’t happen.

But those students who come back the next year are often some of the strongest. I know it’s hard, but oftentimes you’re going to be a much better student and SRNA throughout the process.

Why do some programs not accept transfer credits?

That’s a great question. One reason is some programs charge the same tuition each semester. They don’t charge based off credit hours. So they won’t accept transfer credits because they’re going to charge the exact same.

Some will accept three or six hours, normally a class or two. But it just depends.

This is a niche thing, but say you are an advanced practitioner already and you’ve achieved a DNP already. You either have to find a postdoctoral completion program or attend a DNAP program, which is a different degree, because you can’t earn the same degree twice even though it’s a different specialty.

You have to have that postdoctoral completion. Oftentimes those programs will have a specific track, but that’s a very niche thing. I think there are only maybe two or three programs in the country that have that postdoctoral completion.

Most people will then go to a DNAP program to avoid that.

Do you know if programs care about classes that weren’t degree level? I took paramedic classes, didn’t take them seriously, and had a very poor GPA, but since those classes I have a 3.8.

I would say the majority of programs are going to look at your cumulative GPA for CRNA school requirements.

However, if they were classes from many years ago, some programs will look at your nursing GPA, and some programs will look at the last 60 hours heavily.

If your cumulative is less than a 3.5, there are ways to strengthen that. One of the best ways is to take a graduate level course to show that you can handle graduate level coursework.

If it was courses from many years ago, that’s going to be less important than, for example, retaking anatomy and physiology and getting a C this year. Recent performance matters.

Most of the time, yes, low-level classes can affect cumulative GPA, but they’re not going to weigh them as heavily if it’s been many years.

A great example is people who do an accelerated BSN after they already have a bachelor’s degree. In that case, we really look at the accelerated BSN and the GPA related to that, not necessarily those first 120 hours.

But once again, it is very program dependent. Sometimes programs will not tell you exactly how they weigh GPA.

NursingCAS GPA Concerns: Will Old Grades Disqualify You?

I have a bachelor’s, BSN, MSN. I’ve retaken my science classes. My overall GPA on NursingCAS doesn’t reflect my recent success with my MSN and retake classes. I feel that I will get filtered out. Should I avoid NursingCAS?

I wouldn’t say avoid it. A number of programs use NursingCAS.

What I would do is pick three or four programs, follow them on social, go to the open houses, and try to get a little bit of face time with somebody who will be in charge of the admissions committee.

This way they know who you are. Then when they’re looking through applications, they may recognize you.

Sometimes you will get filtered out by GPA.

One year, one program I worked with had so many applicants with unusually high GPAs. I’d consider it a fluke, and it only happened one time. There’s normally a spectrum.

But if your overall GPA isn’t strong, talk to programs. There are some programs that may offer a pathophysiology course or something you can take so they can see how you do, especially for people who don’t have a high GPA.

But I wouldn’t avoid NursingCAS.

Canadian Nurses Applying to CRNA School

Hi, I’m a Canadian nurse. Any information regarding attending CRNA school? Currently I have a cumulative GPA of 3.4, which isn’t the best. Currently taking science at the moment. GPA 4.0. Any advice?

Yes, there are plenty of Canadian nurses who have gone on to become CRNAs. I can think of a program director or assistant director I know who is from Canada and has been a CRNA for many years. So it’s certainly possible.

You mentioned a 3.4 GPA. Strengthening it like you’re doing is perfect.

Hopefully you’re working in the U.S. to get ICU experience, and then certainly apply.

There are no CRNAs in Canada right now, and Canada has a lot of problems with lack of anesthesia providers. There’s also a lot of need for CRNAs here in the States.

If you go through the program, you will have plenty of work. We need CRNAs.

Foreign Transcripts and NursingCAS GPA

Do you know why NursingCAS does not include foreign transcripts and cumulative GPA calculations?

Yes. With foreign transcripts, it’s often hard to get a true equivalency depending on the country and university.

I have seen pass-fail systems, high-low systems, and different grading structures. It can be challenging to get a true comparison.

So that’s one reason NursingCAS handles foreign transcripts differently.

There are schools that suggest I take a graduate level course with them. It may give me points towards my admission rubric. Do that?

Do that. It helps.

I know one program right offhand that has a graduate level pathophysiology course. It’s MTSA, Middle Tennessee School of Anesthesia. It’s a great course and it gives them insight into how you’re going to be as a student.

I think you’re going to see more programs offer something like that to see how you will perform.

If you didn’t have the highest GPA when you were younger, but you’re different now, take one graduate level course and show them you can get an A. It’s a great way for the school to be sure on you, and for you to be sure on yourself.

What are some good questions we should ask at open houses or at the end of our interview?

Open houses are good for questions that are less formal, and questions specifically about what they discussed there.

At the interview, if they’ve answered everything, you can always say it was very thorough.

You can ask them their favorite part about teaching in the program. You can ask what you could do to strengthen yourself, which I think is always good. Anyone who can take constructive criticism tends to do better.

But you don’t have to ask anything at the end, especially if everything has already been covered.

From my standpoint, I always try to tell people how long the interview will be. That helps because sometimes we run over or behind, and that can make it hard for the next person.

Strengthening Your CRNA School Application

Other than taking science, what else do you recommend that would strengthen one’s application? Likewise, what would you recommend is an average number of ICU years needed to apply?

Strong science courses are great.

For ICU experience, you can start with one year. If you have above a 3.5 GPA and you already have your CCRN and certifications, you can go ahead and apply.

Most people are going to be between the two-year and five-year mark, but you can apply as soon as you meet the minimum. There’s nothing wrong with doing that.

If you don’t get in, you now have experience with the process.

I’m a nurse working at a level one trauma center in New York City in the Surgical Trauma ICU (STICU). I just hit my one-year anniversary, including orientation. I’m worried that my head nurse or manager will give me a hard time about writing a recommendation letter. Should I ask anyway?

Maybe a charge nurse, or someone that knows you better.

I don’t know how much interaction you have with your manager, but they may not know you well enough to give a strong recommendation letter.

I’ve heard some managers say, “I don’t give recommendation letters until you’ve been here three years,” and that’s challenging. I don’t think that’s necessarily fair.

But you might be better off using a charge nurse or asking the program what they recommend.

I’m going to give like a five-minute warning and then I’ll try to get through these.

My unit has 15 to 20 people applying for the same schools. They’re asking my manager. I’m scared to ask my manager because she’s so busy with work and now the volume of letters of recommendation.

It is challenging. But a good manager should understand normal attrition in the ICU. That’s expected.

CRNA Admissions: If you already have CCRN and TCRN, it’s going to look good. Having your CMC can help. It’s not necessary, but if you want to be more competitive, get it.

I think it’s unfair to tell someone, “I’m not going to give you a good reference for a number of years.” But that may be how that hospital does things.

Again, you might be better off using a charge nurse or asking the program what they prefer.

For cumulative GPA, does it include only undergraduate degrees or does it include postgraduate degrees too?

We’ll look at cumulative undergraduate GPA, and then we look at graduate GPA. We normally don’t mix the two.

Alright. Any other questions?

Other things I think are relevant: we all love anesthesia. That’s why we’re in education. Programs really enjoy helping students. We remember what it’s like. We work really hard to help you achieve your dream.

Across CRNA programs, you’re going to find people who are excited to work with you and happy to be teaching.

What are some good graduate level courses to take to boost your GPA?

Pathophysiology is good. If you can handle a graduate level statistics course, that’s great.

Retaking anatomy and physiology, even at the undergraduate level, if it’s been many years can be helpful. But the goal should be to get an A.

Don’t try to take a graduate level chemistry course if you’ve only had intro to chemistry. General Chemistry I and II looks really good.

If you can handle the organic sequence, it looks good, but it’s not necessary.

Turn This Application Cycle Into Momentum

When it comes to the interview, be in a good mindset, be positive, ask for feedback, and be determined to succeed. That’s the most important thing.

If you go to an interview and you don’t get in, if you get waitlisted, even if you don’t get invited for an interview, you now have that experience to carry over to make you a better applicant.

Every application and every interview is what’s going to make you better.

Alright. Any other questions before we wrap up?

Would you recommend me taking Organic Chemistry I and II or grad classes?

If you have greater than a C in General Chemistry I and II, I would take a graduate level pathophysiology course.

I don’t think the organic sequence is necessary unless that program requires it.

As a trauma ICU nurse, I already have my CCRN and TCRN. Do you think I should get CMC to make my application more competitive, or should I stick to TCRN?

If you already have CCRN and TCRN, it’s going to look good. Having your CMC can help. It’s not necessary, but if you want to be more competitive, get it.

My favorite part about being a CRNA?

Honestly, I love anesthesia. I have a blast. I’m very fortunate.

I get to work clinically. I get to teach students in the OR. I get to work with my own students. I get to teach in an awesome anesthesia program.

I work at the University of Evansville. I’m a Murray State alumni. I’ve worked with Bellarmine University. I’m out of Kentucky. I’ve gotten to experience some awesome programs.

Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee area has some amazing programs.

How do you feel about degrees like FNP?

I know plenty of people who have obtained their family nurse practitioner after becoming a CRNA so they could practice pain or things like that.

But I wouldn’t go to FNP school just for your application. If you’re already in FNP, that’s perfectly fine. But I wouldn’t do it just for CRNA school admissions.

Alright. Any other questions before we wrap up today?

I’ve really enjoyed this. It’s been really fun.

In future sessions, we’re going to highlight some topics to help support you along your journey. There are going to be other faculty members that host these.

Pharmacology, pathophysiology, hemodynamic management, and other concepts that are key to CRNA school.

But before we wrap up, I want to invite you all to join our awesome supportive community on Circle. This is a space where you can connect with other future CRNAs, get guidance from CSPA, and stay encouraged in your journey.

You’ll find the link in our bio, and we’d love to welcome you and help keep you moving forward.

And I don’t know if you saw on my shirt. I want to give Synesthesia CRNA a big shout out.

One thing I went through when I was in CRNA school is I felt that the way we kept track of our cases, the way we did evaluations, could use a big update.

So that’s been one of my many hats. I started a company. We do clinical case tracking, clinical evaluations, and all sorts of stuff. We’re the only anesthesia-specific education software.

Alright. Thank you all very much, and I hope you guys have a wonderful rest of your day.

Related Topics to Explore

What Is A CRNA? How Do You Become A CRNA? Plus CRNA Salary Information and the Top 10 Best CRNA Programs! – Learn what CRNAs do, how to become one, and what salary and program details matter most before applying.

CRNA School Cost: A Comprehensive Guide to Paying for CRNA School — Explore realistic costs and financing options for future CRNAs.

Why Your CRNA School Interview Matters Most – Discover why your interview can make or break your CRNA application and how to stand out when it counts.

CRNA School Competition: How Hard Is It To Get Into CRNA School? – Understand what makes CRNA admissions so competitive and how to rise above other applicants.

Why Choose CSPA Over Other Prep Programs? – Learn how guidance rooted in real CRNA admissions experience helps remove the guesswork and gives you clarity tailored to your unique & specific goals, background, and timeline.

Important Links

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 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-cspa

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