The CRNA Club Podcast

Sachi Lord
  • 4.5 (20)
  • How To
  • Weekly

Wish you knew exactly what you needed to do to get into CRNA school? Need help coming up with a strategy to be a competitive applicant? You're in the right place! You'll get all of that and more when you tune into The CRNA Club Podcast with your host (and practicing CRNA) Sachi Lord. Her specialty? Breaking things down and turning them into bite-sized actionable steps and dishing the strategy you need to be a competitive applicant. Tune in, get inspired, and learn exactly what you need to do to check all the right boxes so you can get into CRNA school and join #thecrnaclub. Here are a few topics we cover: - Choosing the right CRNA program for YOU - Figuring out what prerequisites you need - What a typical day of a CRNA looks like - How to pay for CRNA school - Learning how to compare and contrast programs - What makes a prepared applicant? - Should you take the GRE? - What certifications you NEED to get - What not to do when submitting your application - How to write a stand out resume -How to calculate your GPA for CRNA school - Personal essay Do's and Don'ts - Shadowing a CRNA, how to find one - Questions to ask the admissions committee - Preparing for your CRNA school interview - and more!

  1. 5h ago

    How to Read an EKG in 5 Steps

    How to read an EKG comes down to five steps in the same order on every strip: rate, rhythm, intervals, axis, then ST segments and T waves. The first three steps read time. The last two read voltage and need a 12-lead. At 25 millimeters a second, one small box is 0.04 seconds. We finish by applying all five steps to one 12-lead EKG. RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE: Grab the free ECG and ICU Waveforms Cheat Sheet KEY POINTS: Rate: 300 divided by the big boxes between R waves, or 1500 divided by the small boxes when the rate is fast Rhythm: find it by looking at the P waves Spotting atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, junctional rhythm, PACs and PVCs Intervals: measure the PR, QRS and QT, and correct the QT to the QTc Telling first-degree, Wenckebach, Mobitz II and third-degree block apart Axis from lead I, aVF and lead II Reading ST elevation, STEMI versus non-STEMI and T wave changes A normal EKG: sinus rhythm at 60 to 100, PR 0.12 to 0.2 seconds, and an axis between negative 30 and positive 90 degrees FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY: Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs 9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform. Follow The CRNA Club: Instagram: @thecrnaclub YouTube: The CRNA Club Website: thecrnaclub.com Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.

  2. 2d ago

    Coagulation Cascade Explained: Cell-Based Model, PT/INR, aPTT and Anticoagulants

    The coagulation cascade is the chain of clotting factor steps which ends in thrombin. Thrombin cuts fibrinogen into fibrin, the mesh holding a clot together. The extrinsic and intrinsic pathways both meet at factor 10, and the PT and aPTT time how long fibrin takes to form after each pathway starts. We start with a question: why does a patient on Plavix bleed when the platelet count, PT and aPTT are all normal? Then we follow the cell-based model from injury to fibrin, and read each test and each drug against it. RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE: Grab the free Anticoagulation Cheat Sheet KEY POINTS: Extrinsic pathway: tissue factor plus factor 7 activates factor 10, and three plus seven equals ten Intrinsic pathway: the order is 12, 11, 9 and 8, which also reaches factor 10 Common pathway: 10, 5, 2 and 1, with factor 13 cross linking the fibrin Platelet adhesion, activation and aggregation, and how aspirin and clopidogrel block them for the 7 to 10 day life of a platelet The cell-based model: initiation, amplification and propagation Why missing factor 8 or 9 causes hemophilia bleeding Antithrombin, protein C and plasmin as the brakes on clotting How the PT, INR and aPTT work, with typical values of PT 9.5 to 12.5 seconds, INR 0.9 to 1.1 and aPTT 25 to 37 seconds Heparin, enoxaparin, HIT and protamine reversal Warfarin, vitamin K and four-factor PCC reversal Direct oral anticoagulants, argatroban and Praxbind FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY: Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs 9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform. Follow The CRNA Club: Instagram: @thecrnaclub YouTube: The CRNA Club Website: thecrnaclub.com Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.

  3. 4d ago

    Shock Classification and Hemodynamics

    Grab the FREE Types of Shock Comparison Cheat Sheet: https://thecrnaclub.com/free/types-of-shock-comparison-cheat-sheet Try The CRNA Club FREE for 7 days: https://thecrnaclub.com/free-trial The four types of shock are hypovolemic, cardiogenic, distributive and obstructive. MAP roughly equals cardiac output times SVR, and a different piece of that equation breaks in each type. Hypovolemic loses preload, cardiogenic loses pump strength, distributive loses vascular tone, and obstructive blocks filling or forward flow. Cardiac output, filling pressures and SVR show which piece broke. IN THIS EPISODE: How shock starts with oxygen delivery and what happens inside the cell Baroreceptors, alpha-1, beta-1, RAAS and vasopressin as the body's response Hypovolemic shock numbers and the bedside picture Cardiogenic shock, the wedge pressure, right ventricular infarct and treatment Septic, anaphylactic and neurogenic shock as the three distributive types Massive PE, tamponade and tension pneumothorax as obstructive shock Telling the types apart from cardiac output, filling pressures, SVR, wedge and PA diastolic Where to keep learning shock pathophysiology and pharmacology COMMON QUESTIONS: Do all types of shock cause hypotension? Not always. In hypovolemic shock the vessels clamp down, so blood pressure often holds until about 30 percent of blood volume is lost. Heart rate, pulse pressure, lactate and urine output usually change first, so a normal blood pressure does not rule shock out. Is sepsis a type of shock? Septic shock is a type of distributive shock, but sepsis alone is not septic shock. Septic shock means sepsis where a vasopressor is still needed to keep the MAP at 65 or higher after adequate fluids, with a lactate above 2. Nitric oxide relaxes the vessels, so the SVR falls. What type of shock does cardiac tamponade cause? Cardiac tamponade causes obstructive shock. Fluid or blood fills the pericardial sac, pressure rises and chambers barely fill. Cardiac output falls, and CVP, PA diastolic and wedge pressures rise toward one number. Beck's triad is low blood pressure, distended neck veins and muffled heart sounds. Drainage fixes it. Follow The CRNA Club: Instagram: @thecrnaclub Website: thecrnaclub.com

  4. Oct 22

    CRNA Personal Statement Examples: Top 5 Essay Questions

    CRNA personal statement examples help when you understand the question each essay needs to answer. Sachi walks through five essay questions and explains how to keep your response specific, personal, and aligned with the prompt. RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE: Essay Critique FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY: Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs 9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline IN THIS EPISODE: Answering the full essay prompt Choosing specific experiences Connecting your experience to your goals Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform. Follow The CRNA Club: Instagram: @thecrnaclub YouTube: The CRNA Club Website: thecrnaclub.com Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.

  5. Oct 20

    Best CRNA Programs: Compare Cost, Pass Rates, Clinical Sites & Fit

    Best CRNA programs depend on your application, budget, and clinical goals. Sachi explains how to compare costs, pass rates, clinical sites, and program fit when building your school list. RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE: CRNA School Database FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY: Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs 9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline IN THIS EPISODE: Tuition and total cost Pass rates and clinical experiences Program fit and school comparison Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform. Follow The CRNA Club: Instagram: @thecrnaclub YouTube: The CRNA Club Website: thecrnaclub.com Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.

  6. Oct 17

    CRNA Requirements: GPA, ICU Experience, CCRN, GRE & Prerequisites

    CRNA requirements vary by program. Sachi walks through GPA, ICU experience, CCRN, GRE policies, and prerequisites so you can compare your background with your target schools and plan your next steps. RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE: CRNA School Database FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY: Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs 9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline IN THIS EPISODE: GPA and transcript preparation ICU experience and certifications GRE policies and prerequisite planning Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform. Follow The CRNA Club: Instagram: @thecrnaclub YouTube: The CRNA Club Website: thecrnaclub.com Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.

  7. Oct 16

    ICU Experience for CRNA School: What Counts and How Much You Need

    ICU experience for CRNA school raises practical questions about unit type, patient acuity, and how long to work before applying. Sachi explains how to assess your experience against published program requirements and decide what to build next. RESOURCES FOR THIS EPISODE: CRNA School Database FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY: Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs 9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline IN THIS EPISODE: ICU duration and patient acuity Adult and specialty ICU experience Planning your next application steps Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform. Follow The CRNA Club: Instagram: @thecrnaclub YouTube: The CRNA Club Website: thecrnaclub.com Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.

  8. Oct 12

    G Protein-Coupled Receptors: Gq, Gs, and Gi Pathways Explained

    Phenylephrine tightens blood vessels, albuterol opens the airway, and Precedex turns down the sympathetic nervous system. All three drugs send their message through G protein-coupled receptors. Sachi, a practicing CRNA and founder of The CRNA Club, starts with what a receptor is, compares the four major receptor families, and follows the Gq, Gs, and Gi pathways step by step, from the receptor to the second messenger to the effect you see at the bedside. FREE GPCR SIGNALING CHEAT SHEET: Download the GPCR Signaling Cheat Sheet - Gq, Gs, and Gi routes, second messengers, and the hook-drug chains on one page FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR CRNA JOURNEY: Transcript Analyzer - See your cumulative, science, and last-60-credit GPAs 9-Step Application Checklist - Work through the CRNA school application process in order CRNA School Database - Search and compare CRNA programs Certification Planner - Build a CCRN, CSC, or CMC study schedule around your shifts Timeline Generator - Build a personalized CRNA application timeline IN THIS EPISODE: What a receptor is and how the four major receptor families compare How the G protein relay works, and what Gq-coupled, Gs-coupled, and Gi-coupled mean How the Gq pathway releases stored calcium, and why calcium doesn't always mean contraction Why beta-1 and beta-2 both use Gs and still act differently in heart muscle and airway smooth muscle How milrinone raises cyclic AMP by blocking phosphodiesterase 3 instead of activating a receptor How the Gi pathway lowers cyclic AMP and opens potassium channels, with a Precedex bedside case How to walk through a drug's mechanism in a CRNA school interview Try The CRNA Club free for seven days - Explore the all-in-one CRNA school application platform. Follow The CRNA Club: Instagram: @thecrnaclub YouTube: The CRNA Club Website: thecrnaclub.com Share this episode with an ICU nurse preparing for CRNA school.

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About

Wish you knew exactly what you needed to do to get into CRNA school? Need help coming up with a strategy to be a competitive applicant? You're in the right place! You'll get all of that and more when you tune into The CRNA Club Podcast with your host (and practicing CRNA) Sachi Lord. Her specialty? Breaking things down and turning them into bite-sized actionable steps and dishing the strategy you need to be a competitive applicant. Tune in, get inspired, and learn exactly what you need to do to check all the right boxes so you can get into CRNA school and join #thecrnaclub. Here are a few topics we cover: - Choosing the right CRNA program for YOU - Figuring out what prerequisites you need - What a typical day of a CRNA looks like - How to pay for CRNA school - Learning how to compare and contrast programs - What makes a prepared applicant? - Should you take the GRE? - What certifications you NEED to get - What not to do when submitting your application - How to write a stand out resume -How to calculate your GPA for CRNA school - Personal essay Do's and Don'ts - Shadowing a CRNA, how to find one - Questions to ask the admissions committee - Preparing for your CRNA school interview - and more!

Information

  • Creator
    Sachi Lord
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Sachi Lord
  • Show Website
    The CRNA Club Podcast

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