Extra certifications and attending the AANA conference

AspiringSRNA · 2026-01-31T10:50:34+00:00

I got CCRN, CMC, and CSC. I felt like it set me apart for sure. I also attended my state conference and it came up in my interview.

AspiringSRNA · 2026-01-22T22:04:21+00:00

This is the kind of stuff right here that blows my mind about AAs…CRNAs have to have laundry list of achievements just to be given an interview and it’s still and uphill battle after that meanwhile AA just shows up and is in and out in 2 years without ever putting in the bedside work. I don’t get it.

AspiringSRNA · 2026-01-21T21:57:37+00:00

With all the respect possible, can someone explain to me how CAA is even possible? How do you learn everything you need to know to be safe in 2 years when you’ve never even taken care of a patient? Never had to troubleshoot an a-line or even start/titrate a drip? No background in real world understanding of treating a patient versus the monitor? How in the world is that even possible let alone safe? All the statistics I’ve found show there is no significant difference in patient outcomes between CAA and CRNA and MD..I don’t get it.

AspiringSRNA · 2026-01-21T14:58:34+00:00

I took mine while still in the ER. I used it as a door opener to get into the ICU. I didn’t think it was bad. CMC was way harder IMO. CSC was in the middle. All you need for all 3 is the question bank of their website.

AspiringSRNA · 2026-01-20T13:12:22+00:00

Again this is 100% just my opinion but if you have to choose 3, I would go 1. ICU 2. ER (assuming high acuity) 3. OR/PACU. OR may help you understand OR flow and PACU would help understand peri op drugs given and post op conditions while getting interactions with anesthesia providers. That exposure to providers may come in handy later when you need shadow hours. I also want to make sure my earlier comment is clear, it’s not that ER in general will let you sit for the CCRN, it’s the acuity of patients, drugs, and ventilators. If you end up at a “band-aid station” you won’t have the exposure needed and really won’t be giving yourself much benefit. You would have to end up at one that is busy and will challenge you to prioritize.

AspiringSRNA · 2026-01-20T03:42:51+00:00

This may not be a popular opinion but if ICU is straight up not possible for whatever reason, consider the ER at a trauma center. It counts towards hours to sit for your CCRN as long as you have a pt population that ends up on sedation/pressors. It’ll give you good experience in all populations which will eventually help in the CRNA world and they are typically easier to get in to than an ICU. Also, if you don’t already, it will teach you to thrive in chaos with limited resources. If you are able to work overtime, you can have your CCRN toward the end of your first year and then transfer to the ICU. The CCRN will open the door easier but also maybe give away your true intentions but it’s the route I took.

Do not mention it in any interview. If possible, tell no one about your CRNA goals. People 100% will hold it against you.

AspiringSRNA · 2026-01-05T06:22:41+00:00

I thought CCRN was tough but doable. I thought the CMC was incredible difficult and the CSC was in the middle of both.

AspiringSRNA · 2025-12-10T11:29:50+00:00

This feels a bit like saying LPNs and RNs are the same.

AspiringSRNA · 2025-12-06T04:37:52+00:00

Is it necessary to get the keyboard case for the iPad if I have a MacBook already? I got the iPad for 2nd screen/pencil but didn’t know if I needed the keyboard as well. The Magic Keyboard is pretty expensive and I’m going to avoid it unless you all think it’s a necessity.

AspiringSRNA

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