Is CRNA school acceptance getting easier or harder over time?
Over the past decade, CRNA schools have become more competitive.
For instance, a decade ago, I heard stories of people applying (and getting accepted) into CRNA school after only 3–6 months of experience in the ICU.
Most Nurse Anesthetist Schools require at least one year experience by the time you matriculate (begin your program). And lots of people were applying before their year was fulfilled, knowing fully they would have it completed by the time their program started.
This trend has entirely disappeared in the wake of all programs transitioning to DNP programs.
Now I’m hearing stories that those accepted into CRNA school have 2–5 years ICU experience on average, and it is less common for someone to apply and be accepted after only one year in the ICU.
The CCRN used to be entirely optional. It is now nearly mandatory (not because it’s required, but because you’ll be the only applicant without it if you don’t get it).
Earlier, you could have gotten in with a lower GP, and now you need to have taken some graduate-level courses to boost your application.
There’s more competition now than there was a decade ago. And there’s more you need to do to get accepted. There are so many steps along the way that it is easy to lose track, and just one rejection letter is enough to discourage you from this path.