CRNA School Prep Academy Podcast
Ever wish you had a CRNA mentor plugged into the community who has helped THOUSANDS of nurses succeed? The CSPA community is committed to helping you not only gain acceptance into CRNA school but providing support all the way through graduation day! Tune in, get inspired, and get ready to discover why more than 6,000+ nurses turn to CRNA School Prep Academy for guidance regarding all things that the road to CRNA entails. From financial planning, interview styles, ICU experience, anesthesia cases, stress management, study tips, practice settings and so much more; whether you’re a nursing student who is exploring the possibility of becoming a CRNA, an ICU nurse actively pursuing this career path, or a current Nurse Anesthesia Resident looking for extra guidance while in school, each episode is designed to help you take immediate action on the most important strategies for planning, implementation, and achieving your dream of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Episodes
Ready for a real look inside CRNA admissions and the evolving practice of anesthesia? We invited Dr. Michelle Ballister—CRNA of 18 years, former admissions chair, and longtime educator—to share what truly moves the needle for applicants and what today’s anesthesia landscape demands from new clinicians. She pulls back the curtain on how committees segment GPAs (cumulative, science, prerequisite), why repeats aren’t an automatic deal...
Pressors save lives, but only when they match the real problem. Dr. Matthew Harmon joins us to decode how norepinephrine, phenylephrine, and vasopressin change vascular tone, cardiac output, and organ perfusion—and how to pick the right one under pressure.
We start with a crisp hemodynamic framework: MAP as the product of cardiac output and SVR, and stroke volume shaped by preload, contractility, and afterload. From there, we trans...
Ready for a clear, candid roadmap to CRNA school? Dr. Newman, a 21-year CRNA and seasoned admissions educator, takes over the mic to answer your toughest questions about applications, interviews, and the realities of nurse anesthesia training.
If you’ve wondered whether to retake sciences, how much shadowing truly matters, or why your CCRN score (not just the pass) can shift your odds, this session gives you straight ans...
Perfection isn’t the price of entry. Dr. Matthew Harmon, CRNA and faculty coach, sits down with our community for a candid Q&A on what admissions committees really value and how to turn your current profile into a compelling yes. We dig into emotional intelligence interviews, realistic GPA strategies, and actionable ways to show programs that you’re ready for the rigor and responsibility of anesthesia training.
We star...
A still body can hide a restless mind. We take you inside the judgment calls that separate safe care from silent suffering, breaking down why sedation must come before paralysis, how to pick the right agent for the job, and what real monitoring looks like when movement disappears.
Featuring CSPA faculty coach and Assistant Program Director at the University of Evansville Dr. Matthew Harmon, DNP, CRNA, tune in as we map the core pro...
Getting into CRNA school can feel overwhelming, especially when you start comparing GPA requirements and wondering what’s really “good enough.” Maybe you’re asking yourself, Do I need to retake science classes for CRNA school? Should I take graduate-level courses to boost my GPA? Will they even accept a class from Portage Learning? You’re not alone.
Many nurses applying to CRNA programs find themselves stressing over GPA requirement...
Starting your journey as an ICU nurse can feel both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you’re learning to balance patient care, critical thinking, and confidence in a high-acuity environment. From mastering hemodynamics to finding mentorship and clarity about your future goals, every nurse’s path begins with growth.
In this episode of the CSPA Podcast, Jenny talks with real ICU nurses she met at the NTI Conference. You’ll he...
Starting out in the ICU as a brand-new nurse is never easy—especially when you’re balancing life as a dad, navigating the burn unit, and staring down a 3.0 GPA on your way to CRNA.
In this episode of the CSPA Podcast, Jenny sits down with Jacob, an experienced ICU and travel nurse, to share his inspiring journey from burn trauma to CRNA school acceptance, recorded live at NTI 2025 in New Orleans.
Whether you’re an aspiring CRNA worri...
Cardiogenic Shock: Clinical Insights with Nicole Kupchik, MN, RN, CCNS, CCRN-CMC, PCCN
In this special episode, Dr. Richard Wilson, DNAP, CRNA sits down with critical care educator Nicole Kupchik to unpack practical bedside considerations for managing cardiogenic shock in ICU patients. From vasopressors to mechanical support, this discussion offers real-world insight into how seasoned clinicians think through this complex condition.
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FREE! CRNA School Interview Prep Guide: https://www.cspaedu.com/uc9a5ih4
Have you ever wondered why your patient becomes tachycardic during intubation—or hypotensive when the surgeon hasn’t even made an incision yet? These aren't just random fluctuations. They're signals from the autonomic nervous system—and as a future CRNA, being able to interpret them can mean the difference between chasing vital signs and anticipating...
Join the Free CSPA Community! 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
What if the hardest part of becoming a CRNA… is simply getting into school?
In this inspiring episode, Jenny sits down with Dalton, who recently gained CRNA school admission, proving that you don’t need years of IC...
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
Nurse Mentorship is a game-changer for any one in the nursing profession, e...
FREE! CRNA School Interview Prep Guide: https://www.cspaedu.com/uc9a5ih4
Streamline your CRNA Success with the CSPA 6-Month Intensive. Get CRNA Faculty Coaching, Access to Exclusive Live Events and more. Click Here: https://www.cspaedu.com/sixmonthintensive
When it comes to mastering anesthesia, a solid understanding of acid-base balance and blood gas interpretation is non-negotiable. Whether you’re a nursing student, an ICU nurse pr...
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
Want Guaranteed CRNA School Admission? Learn More about the CSPA 12-Month Intensive Here: https://www.cspaedu.com/meblfkto
Legal issues in nursing, and nurse anesthesia practice, are more common than you might think- failing to protect yourself co...
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
Nursing malpractice is a serious issue that can have life-altering consequences for healthcare professionals, especially CRNAs and SRNAs who work in high-stakes environments. Whether it’s a documentation error, medication mishap, or a failure to ...
FREE! CRNA School Interview Prep Guide: https://www.cspaedu.com/uc9a5ih4
Want Guaranteed CRNA School Admission? Learn More about the CSPA 12-Month Intensive Here: https://www.cspaedu.com/meblfkto
CRNA school rejection can happen to anyone. In fact, with acceptance rates averaging only 15% or less, it’s a challenge many nurses will face on their journey to becoming a Nurse Anesthetist. What can you do to bounce back when you're d...
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
Want Guaranteed CRNA School Admission? Learn More about the CSPA 12-Month Intensive Here: https://www.cspaedu.com/meblfkto
Burnout is a term every nurse has heard, but it takes on a whole new meaning when you’re in the rigorous journey of becoming...
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
Need Interview Prep Help In A Hurry? Fast-Track Your CRNA School Interview Prep with our CRNA Interview Crash Course! https://www.cspaedu.com/4wotmlds
Step into the dynamic world of airway management with Dr. Jeremy Heiner as he brings a wealth of...
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
Are you considering applying to a brand-new CRNA program but unsure if it’s the right move? Today Jenny dives into the pros and cons of joining a newly established nurse anesthesia program and reveals a comprehensive list of 22 brand-new CRNA pro...
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
Want Guaranteed CRNA School Admission? Learn More about the CSPA 12-Month Intensive Here: https://www.cspaedu.com/meblfkto
Expand your understanding of pain management and anesthesia with the esteemed Dr. Derek Owens, DrAP, CRNA and Director of Cu...
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