CRNA school admissions can feel like guesswork until you hear how faculty break it down in real time. We sit down with Dr. Matthew Harmon, a CRNA educator and admissions leader (and assistant program director at the University of Evansville), for an Instagram Live Q and A packed with the kind of specifics applicants crave: what actually makes a competitive application, how to prepare for tough interview formats, and what “good ICU experience” really means when programs evaluate critical care readiness. 

We talk through NursingCAS, building a resume that goes beyond the minimum, and choosing certifications that fit your unit instead of chasing random letters. Dr. Harmon shares practical interview prep anchored in ACLS-level scenarios, vasopressors, electrolyte management, and emotional intelligence questions that reveal how you handle conflict and pressure. You will also hear straight talk on references, leadership when you are not charge, rolling admissions timing, and why humility matters even if you are coming from an NP or other advanced practice path. 

There is also a high-yield clinical detour into malignant hyperthermia: what triggers it, what early signs to watch for, and why succinylcholine is not the answer. If you are already accepted, the guidance is refreshingly grounded: protect your energy, avoid burnout, and keep prep simple with daily EKG practice and approachable anesthesia reading. 

Subscribe for more CRNA school prep that is honest and actionable, share this with a nurse who is applying, and leave a review with the question you want us to tackle next.

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Join the Waitlist for the 2027 CSPA Conference [Here]

We’re heading to Panama City, Florida for the 2027 CRNA School Prep Academy Conference, hosted in partnership with Florida State University!

Join us September 10–12, 2027 for an inspiring weekend designed for aspiring CRNAs who are ready to grow, connect, and take the next step toward nurse anesthesia school.

This event will bring together ICU nurses, CRNA faculty, SRNAs, mentors, and future CRNAs for a powerful in-person experience focused on:

•  CRNA school admissions guidance 
•  Interview preparation 
•  Clinical and professional development 
•  Networking with like-minded ICU nurses ...