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.
Here are a few topics we cover:
- Choosing the right CRNA program for YOU
- Figuring out what prerequisites you need
- What a typical day of a CRNA looks like
- How to pay for CRNA school
- Learning how to compare and contrast programs
- What makes a prepared applicant?
- Should you take the GRE?
- What certifications you NEED to get
- What not to do when submitting your application
- How to write a stand out resume
-How to calculate your GPA for CRNA school
- Personal essay Do's and Don'ts
- Shadowing a CRNA, how to find one
- Questions to ask the admissions committee
- Preparing for your CRNA school interview
- and more!
How 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 (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/transcript) - 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 (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/transcript) - See your cumulative, science, and last 60 credits GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/checklist) - Work through the application process in order
CRNA School Database (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/school-database) - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/cert-planner) - Build a study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/timeline) - Build a CRNA application timeline
Try The CRNA Club free for seven days (https://thecrnaclub.com/) - Explore the application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub (https://instagram.com/thecrnaclub)
YouTube: The CRNA Club (https://www.youtube.com/@thecrnaclub)
Website: thecrnaclub.com (https://thecrnaclub.com)
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
25 Sept 2026
Ventilator 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 (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/mechanical-ventilation-modes-cheat-sheet)
CRNA Application Checklist (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/checklist)
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/transcript) - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/checklist) - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/school-database) - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/cert-planner) - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/timeline) - 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 (https://thecrnaclub.com/) - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub (https://instagram.com/thecrnaclub)
YouTube: The CRNA Club (https://www.youtube.com/@thecrnaclub)
Website: thecrnaclub.com (https://thecrnaclub.com)
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
23 Sept 2026
Hemodynamics 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 (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/hemodynamics-preload-afterload-quick-reference)
CRNA Mock Interview Practice (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/mock-interview)
FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY:
Transcript Analyzer (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/transcript) - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs
9-Step Application Checklist (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/checklist) - Work through the CRNA school application process in order
CRNA School Database (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/school-database) - Search and compare CRNA programs
Certification Planner (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/cert-planner) - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts
Timeline Generator (https://thecrnaclub.com/free/timeline) - 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 (https://thecrnaclub.com/) - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform.
Follow The CRNA Club:
Instagram: @thecrnaclub (https://instagram.com/thecrnaclub)
YouTube: The CRNA Club (https://www.youtube.com/@thecrnaclub)
Website: thecrnaclub.com (https://thecrnaclub.com)
Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.5 / 5
20 ratings
Spotify
4.8 / 5
32 ratings
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