What is CRNA school actually like | Overview of my first 3 quarters

Have you ever wondered what it is *actually like to be in CRNA school? I asked myself this question MULTIPLE times before I started. You can't truly know what it is like before you get started- but this is my best attempt at explaining it. Here's what anesthesia school is actually like. This is an overview of my first 3 quarters of didactic in anesthesia school!

[@Will-se5os]

to be an NP and CRNA is crazy. This man is the definition of knowledge.

[@jacobivy2854]

I personally know a CRNA that went back to medical school, did an anesthesia residency, and then did a critical care fellowship. The man is scary smart.

[@nathanielgrant1178]

This is what we mean when we ask what is CRNA school like 😅. Very great in depth overview!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Thank you for watching!

[@coolman123ism]

Thank you for taking the time to show us what is a day to day of SRNA and the path to become CRNA. Very informative.

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Thank you so much for watching! Greatly appreciated.

[@Crazydude409]

Hey David, Currently writing this roughly 4 months out before the start of CRNA school. Can't put into words the appreciation I have for you taking the time out of your busy life and making these videos. Would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous/ anxious to start this journey. The few videos I've watched thus far has really helped settle my nerves. Arguably a bit overwhelming to hear about all of the things to learn about, but I also find myself excited to see just what lies ahead. You're an absolute beast and I cant thank you enough! Earned a subscriber and I look forward to when you post the video of your graduation day!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Hey! First of all, congrats on getting into anesthesia school! That is a huge accomplishment! It can be overwhelming, if you let it. However, I will say this: it is very doable. The material is hard, but not insurmountable. The "hard" part is showing up day after day and sticking with it. You will be totally fine. I wish you the best of luck, and feel free to reach out if you ever need anything.

[@remitheoccultist8091]

Thank you! Im just starting my nursing journey. Im taking prerequisites for the ADN program and then will try to work ICU and get my BSN to apply to National University. I was looking on reddit to see reviews on National University's CRNA program. I'm so glad you have videos about your journey! Makes me feel better about making plans to attend!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

That is awesome! NU is a great program, and will train you up to be an independent CRNA. Can't say enough good things about it!

[@remitheoccultist8091]

@@DavidWarrenNP thanks for the reassurance! Im taking accredited online science courses due to my situation. My ADN program will accept them. Im wondering if you know if NU will accept them ? Thanks for making videos of your journey. It helps me stay motivated towards my goal!

[@DELIROUSROB]

I interviewed the director of that program great guy!

[@DELIROUSROB]

@@remitheoccultist8091and yes they will accept them

[@princessjazz5767]

This is what you say a video which actually tells u how classes are like and what they teach and or what you learn.

[@Meeesa]

Each of the classes sound so fascinating!! I've always loved physiology, especially at the cellular level!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Yes! It has been super interesting to me! I have actually thoroughly enjoyed the learning. It has been tough, but overall, really cool topics and really good learning.

[@Meeesa]

@@DavidWarrenNP I just graduated from a BSN program... Looking into CRNA school after a few years! Thanks for your informative videos on CRNA school!

[@singlemom1089]

This is what CRNA school like. Thank you very much for the in-depth information about CRNA courses.

[@kerrychou5632]

An incredibly insightful and useful video! Thank you for sharing your experience!!!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Ah thank you so much for watching! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@NinjazMontagez]

Thank you for creating this insightful video. Glad to hear pharmacology was the most interesting course for you!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@darriontunstall3708]

Thanks man! I always learn a lot from you! CRNA is the best job! I really enjoy donating to the CRNA Foundation, since it was hard for me to go to college because of my cerebral palsy! You rock man! I enjoy your videos!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Thanks for watching Darrion!

[@darriontunstall3708]

@@DavidWarrenNP you welcome

[@joshuatejiri2353]

I just literally watched the "is CRNA school worth it" video and left feeling like "How is the school itself, is it hard?". And this video immediately pops up and was only uploaded 3 hrs ago. Lol 😆 Great work man!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Oh how funny! I'm so glad the video was suggested to you! haha Thanks for watching and I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@kawanagreen680]

Love that you break it down. Thanks for the insight. Please continue your videos.

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@Fadeddbblack]

i love love to hear more about whats available after becoming a CRNA. are there any other possible milestones and goals after becoming one educational wise? how about in the professional setting? ive heard some hospitals holding positions "chief CRNA". great videos as always!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Hey! Thanks for watching! Good question. Educational wise- you can further specialize in non surgical pain management. It is a fellowship program, about a year or so long I believe. You can also delve into research. in the professional setting- you can own your own anesthesia company, have a fee for service model, and do your own billing. Chief CRNA is usually an admin role within a group, in addition to clinical duties.

[@NurseHowie]

I’m joining your program soon! Thanks for the vid. Very insightful🤓

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Hey! Congrats on getting in to CRNA school! I look forward to meeting you in a few weeks! 😁

[@Starfish1031]

Thanks for making this video David and sharing your experience.

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad you found it insightful!

[@dontgetsalt2045]

Link your Quizlet lol so I can get a head start

[@DavidWarrenNP]

hahah say no more This is the Quizlet that my whole cohort used. It was created by one of our cohort members. quizlet.com/NU_DNAP/folders

[@dontgetsalt2045]

@@DavidWarrenNP thank you so much

[@firefly4211]

Ty for the in depth explanation of what you are learning! In one part of the video you mentioned Having to learn 3000 slides and in another part of the video another 2700 slides. SO MUCH INFO! What do you do to retain all that info, not to mention what you will continue to learn over the next 2 years? Especially for when you take boards and ultimately practicing as a crna?

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Hi! Thanks for watching! I'm glad you found it insightful! That is an excellent question honestly hahah. There is just so much material. We do have board review programs (Apex and Prodigy), and they are geared only towards passing boards. That is what the majority of people use, and it is what I will be using. As far as retaining the info- I'm not really sure how to be honest. I look back at myself almost a year ago, and I can definitely see that I have made huge gains as far as studying and grasping information. It is still quite challenging, but the longer you do it efficiently, the easier and more second nature it becomes.

[@notanotherabdi8216]

Hey David, Theses videos have done nothing but motivate me thank you. I’m wrapping up my first year of nursing school and have saved up upwards of 10k passively. My question would be how much roughly would you gestimate that CRNA school cost across the board. Unfortunately I am not able to take out loans as usury is a sin in my religion. However I am positive I could save up the necessary amount before I apply in 3-4 years time if all goes according to plan. Again thank you David!! God bless you :)

[@Vanessashena]

Hey David, I’ve been watching your video for long time. I like how practical and honest you are. I am actually debating between CRNA and NP. The only factor I was considering is I have two kids, NP program is more slow so I can take care of my kids a little bit. You were saying you basically study 8-9 hrs every day, does it include the weekend?

[@msme9790]

I would really shadow both careers bc they’re both so different. Also do you have a partner or support to help with the children?

[@edwardherrera846]

CRNA and NP are completely different career paths. Can’t really compare the two. NP route is far easier to get through. I know many who work at the same time. You absolutely can’t work in CRNA school. It is too intense. Also, NP program is shorter in duration. Don’t know if Masters degrees are still available or not but for CRNA school you will spend 3 years at the doctoral level. At the end, your job description between the two are completely different. I agree with others that you should shadow both. Best ways to get your feet wet.

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Hi, thanks for watching! I agree with what's been said already. I would add this- don't base your career on something that will be easier to get through. I would recommend shadowing each profession, and go with what YOU want to do. CRNA school can be done with family and kids. Please don't just go to NP school because it is easier. As far as studying, I study on the weekends too. Just not quite as much as I do during the regular week. Occasionally, I will take off weekends completely.

[@estanciawhite5345]

Thats what im struggling with choosing between NP (because its easier & i dont want to do ICU) or CRNA im not quite sure where i would work as a NP. I am worried about how you retain all of that info as a CRNA & intubation etc

[@Jearhby]

Your videos are very insightful and valuable. I have one question, do you believe that your experience as a nurse practitioner helped you get into and perform well in CRNA school?

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Hey! Thank you for watching! Good question. I don't think being a NP helped very much, apart from 2 major factors. The first- switching from RN mode to provider mode. Everyone makes this switch, and it is hard. Going from doing the orders, to writing the orders. The second- being able to take a history and do an exam and create a differential diagnosis list- basically do an H&P.

[@princessjazz5767]

He makes it sound it was easy but i am sure it wasnt.

[@estanciawhite5345]

Did you have to retake chemistry? I took gen chem 6 years ago when i did my AS/AA but i saw some programs want it taken within 3 years

[@DavidWarrenNP]

I took O chem I/II. However, all of my classes were within 10 years, so it was not an issue for me. However, it is pretty standard across all schools to have time frames on pre reqs (10 years, 7 years etc).

[@joshuatejiri2353]

Please make a part 2 you're done with didactic

[@DavidWarrenNP]

I definitely plan to! Thank you so much for watching!

[@renuchaudhary7440]

Hello, I’m an international BSN nurse with 3 years experience in medical oncology ward and 1 year experience in Adult ICU of a tertiary hospital. I want to be a CRNA. Can you please explain to me the criteria and steps further after BSN? Your response will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Hey! My best advice would be to research potential programs, and their admission requirements. Each school is different. In short, you need 1-2 years of ICU experience as a RN, good BSN grades, and some extra chemistry/biochemistry courses. CCRN certification will also tremendously help your admission potential.

[@itsmayra4868]

Did you save up for CRNA school or did you take out loans?

[@DavidWarrenNP]

I did save up, but I ended up taking out loans. I did a video about this, I haven't posted yet, but will be in the future. I can get a better return on my money with investing, vs the interest rate on student loans. So - all that to say, I took loans for now, investing my money, and will pay off loans when finished with school.

[@itsmayra4868]

@@DavidWarrenNP thank you, great advice

[@caterballer]

Hey I was going to apply to your school? I am also looking at midwestern. Would you recommend your program? Thanks for your time.

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Hey Jeff, I actually applied to both National and Midwestern, but ended up opting to National. It has been a great program- def recommend!

[@alliefuquay5582]

Hi! I just came across your page when searching for more info about CRNA school. I've been wanting to go to CRNA school for about 2 years now. This might be more of a personal question, but how do you balance finances/living work with tuition? It definitely seems very difficult to hold a full time job while in school, so how does that work for you? TIA!

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Hey Allie! Thanks for watching. That is a great question. It really depends on the person. Some people can save a lot from either traveling or working etc. Some people take a lot of student loans. Regardless, with CRNA salary, it won't make much of a difference. The long term gains over a career much, much outweigh the program cost and living expenses. I hope this helps.

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Sorry I forgot to add one more thing- it definitely is not possible to work full time while in school. I worked on my breaks, but not during the program. There were no restrictions around it, it just isn't physically possible with all of the work that comes with anesthesia school.

[@kturks06]

how old are you when you went back to school

[@DavidWarrenNP]

I was 31 when I started my DNAP program.

[@kiarawalker5630]

How many days are you required to be on Campus?

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Usually 2-4 days each week, depending on the day/week.

[@bretthebert445]

Get ready, clinicals will put much greater demands on your team.

[@DavidWarrenNP]

I imagine they will!

[@karenmullaev8359]

I'm in nursing school and thinking about CAA vs CRNA route. CRNA seems incredibly discouraging, however is it with good reason? Is it really that bad? CAA seems like a good runner up, however I hate that you cannot practice independently. Is it dumb to go into CAA school due to it being less popular / less jobs available ?

[@drdumbo9124]

There’s no point for you to do CAA. It’s going to be just as hard for a more limited scope. Don’t run away because you think CRNA school is hard… either path is hard.

[@kanegrey7697]

Are the exams in class?

[@DavidWarrenNP]

Yes

[@Solomeo_Paredes159]

Whatever study is easy when english is your first language

[@DavidWarrenNP]

I think it's easier - I wouldn't classify it as "easy"

[@cardiyansane1414]

Tell me about it 😂, English is my fourth language; advice on that -just try to think in English and understand in English, do not translate . Hope this makes sense !