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Should I Go To CRNA School?

Oct 9, 2024

Should I Go to CRNA School Cover Photo

Wondering if the decision to go to CRNA school is right for you? As you ponder the question of “Should I Go To CRNA School”, let this post be your guide as it covers the real costs & commitments that going to CRNA School entails. Dive into a thorough breakdown of what to expect financially, personally, and professionally as you consider a career path in nurse anesthesia. Let’s take the guesswork out of the journey together!

Join the Free CSPA Community!

Connect with a network of Aspiring CRNAs, Nurse Anesthesia Residents, practicing CRNAs and CRNA Program Faculty Mentors here: https://www.cspaedu.com/community

Get access to application & interview preparation resources plus ICU Educational Workshops that have helped 1,000s of nurses accelerate their CRNA success. Become a member of CRNA School Prep Academy: https://cspaedu.com/join

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

“Should I Go To CRNA School?”

Deciding whether to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) involves weighing numerous factors, from financial implications to personal commitments. If you’re asking yourself, “Should I become a CRNA?” or wondering “How to know if CRNA is for me,” you’re in the right place. Let’s explore what this decision entails.

Understanding the Financial Costs of CRNA School

One of the first considerations is the financial cost versus the potential earnings. CRNA programs can be a significant investment. On average, tuition for a CRNA program ranges between $40,000 to $100,000, depending on whether you choose a public or private institution.

However, this cost is often offset by the substantial salary a CRNA can earn, which averages over $200,000 annually according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Evaluating Personal and Professional Goals

Consider your current life stage as well as personal and professional goals. How many working years do you have left before you plan to retire? The return on investment may be more advantageous for those earlier in their careers, but that is up to you to decide.

Many nurses for for CRNA later in their career, or even as a 2nd career. Kelly shares her story: 


Nursing was a second career for me. When I was an undergraduate student, I knew I wanted to be in healthcare. I just didn’t know how. I saw students around me who were in nursing programs or were pre-med. It all sounded great, but I wanted to find a way to marry the things I loved about my own passions, like taking care of people, addressing communities that are in need, and then finding that cup filled from the science of it, like the pharmacology, pathophysiology, and the nerdy, sciencey things that we all love if we’re here at this point.

After my undergraduate degree, I ended up working in a nonprofit community, a public health clinic near my undergrad institution that served patients who were 200% below the federal poverty line primarily. Our patients were refugees. They were immigrants. They were people with housing challenges. It’s a broad, diverse array of people. The particular region that I lived in was very heavy, with all different types of refugees and immigrants. It was a diverse population. We provided medication and referral assistance to those patients who, if they came to our primary care clinic and needed a GI referral or a sleep study or needed to get fitted for a CPAP, would get a referral from me to one of the university institutions nearby.

I did that for about two and a half years and was reading notes all the time and interacting with patients. I was like, “I want to get a little more in with these patients. I want to see what’s going on. I want to put my hands on people and see what the deal is over here at these hospitals,” so I applied to nursing school and that’s the beginning.”

You can read more about Kelly’s story here

Family and Support System

Your family dynamics and support system are crucial, especially if you have children. CRNA programs are demanding, often requiring long hours of study and clinical practice. Ensuring you have a robust support system to manage personal responsibilities while you focus on your studies is vital.

The Rigors of CRNA School

CRNA programs are rigorous; Reflect on your readiness to “hit the books” again.

Typically, the curriculum is divided between didactics and clinical rotations. Didactic phases might last 12 to 24 months, followed by an intensive period of clinical rotations. These programs are designed to prepare you for high-stakes situations, requiring a deep commitment and resilience.

You can also choose a CRNA school based on whether or not they are front-loaded or integrated, meaning do you take all of your classroom courses before heading into hands-on clinicals, or do you do them simultaneously?

A group of crna school students in class, wearing stethoscopes

If you are a nurse who is going back for CRNA having been out of school for several years, you will want to ensure you display to the admissions committee that you’re ready to be a student again.



There are pros and cons to both- typically, it depends on your personal learning style. We have more insights into Front-Loaded versus Integrated CRNA Programs here: Front-Loaded or Integrated CRNA Programs- What’s the Difference?

One additional consideration- are you willing to be a student again? If you’ve recently graduated from nursing school, the transition back into a student role might be smoother. However, for those who’ve been out of the academic world for a while, this might require a more significant adjustment.

Bonus Tip- If you are a nurse who is going back for CRNA having been out of school for several years, you will want to ensure you display to the admissions committee that you’re ready to be a student again. There are many ways to do this and they can be communicated via your resume, personal statement and even interview responses.

Making Your Decision

While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to “Should I go to CRNA school?”, I hope this post has provided you with some things to think about and a good starting point for decision making.

Remember, determining if you should go to CRNA school requires a careful assessment of your financial situation, career aspirations, personal & professional goals, and readiness to meet the rigorous demands of a CRNA program. And no, you’re not too old to go back for CRNA 😉

If you’re ready to take the next step but aren’t sure what it is- we’re here to help!

Get started with our free ‘8 Steps to Become a CRNA’ planning guide. This guide is designed to help you map out your journey to becoming a CRNA with detailed steps and resources. Download your free guide now and take the first step towards a rewarding career in nurse anesthesia!

Want more insights? Join us on social! You can catch an Instagram LIVE with me, and follow along for TONs more insights into a career in Nurse Anesthesia.

Find us @CRNASchoolPrepAcademy on your favorite platforms

Until next time- we are rooting for you, Future CRNA! 🙌

-Jenny MSN, CRNA and CSPA Founder + The Team at CRNA School Prep Academy

Important Links

Join the Free CSPA Community! Connect with a network of Aspiring CRNAs, Nurse Anesthesia Residents, practicing CRNAs and CRNA Program Faculty Mentors here: https://www.cspaedu.com/community

Download our FREE 8 Steps to CRNA Planning Guide: https://www.cspaedu.com/howtocrna

Get access to application & interview preparation resources plus ICU Educational Workshops that have helped 1,000s of nurses accelerate their CRNA success. Become a member of CRNA School Prep Academy: https://cspaedu.com/join

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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