Amanda Recommends
Amanda Recommends
The tools, study resources, and companies I actually use and recommend to the CRNAs and residents I work with. This list grows as I find more I believe in.
A note on these links: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you sign up or purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I genuinely trust.
CRNA study tools, APEX Anesthesia Review, APEX SmartBanks, TrueLearn CRNA, GasMaps CRNA, GasMaps CE, CRNA continuing education, CRNA board prep tools, CRNA recommended resources, CRNA question bank, CRNA CE platform, nurse anesthesia CE credits, CRNA Class A credits, CRNA recertification requirements, CRNA study SmartBank, CRNA affiliate disclosure, aspiring CRNA study tools, SRNA study tools, ICU nurse study tools for CRNA prep, CRNA discount code, CRNA affiliate program
best CRNA study tools, top CRNA board prep resources, APEX Anesthesia review discount code, TrueLearn CRNA discount, GasMaps CRNA CE review, cheapest CRNA CE platform, CRNA CE credits required, how to earn CRNA Class A credits, best CRNA question bank, CRNA SmartBank review, tools every SRNA needs, tools every practicing CRNA needs, CRNA affiliate disclosure page, honest CRNA affiliate review
How This CRNA Recommendations Page Works
Every tool on this page is one Amanda Kay, MSN, CRNA personally uses or has vetted. Amanda does not accept sponsorships for tools she has not tested and does not put her name behind products she does not believe in. Some links are affiliate links — disclosed on each recommendation — meaning Amanda may earn a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer.
Why APEX Anesthesia Review Is the Featured CRNA Study Tool
APEX Anesthesia Review is on the list because it is one of Amanda's actual go-to study platforms. Its SmartBanks are widely used by SRNAs preparing for the SEE and the NCE. Through Amanda's discount code, community members receive 10% off all APEX CRNA products and bundles, plus $10 off student products and bundles.
Why GasMaps Is the Featured CRNA CE Platform
GasMaps is a CE platform built by CRNAs for CRNAs — designed for practicing CRNAs staying current on continuing education without wasting time on courses that feel like busywork. Amanda features GasMaps because it is one of the first CE platforms she found that respects a working CRNA's time.
What CRNA study tools does Amanda Kay recommend?
Amanda Kay recommends APEX Anesthesia Review (SmartBanks for SEE and NCE preparation) and GasMaps (a CE platform built by CRNAs for CRNAs). Both are featured on themindfulcrna.com/recommends.html with details, use cases, and Amanda's discount codes where available.
What is APEX Anesthesia Review?
APEX Anesthesia Review is a CRNA board-preparation platform offering SmartBanks — adaptive question banks calibrated to the SEE (Self-Evaluation Examination) and the NCE (National Certification Examination). It is widely used by SRNAs / Nurse Anesthesia Residents in their final year of school.
Is there an APEX Anesthesia Review discount code from Amanda Kay?
Yes. Amanda's community discount provides 10% off all APEX CRNA products and bundles, and $10 off student products and bundles. The active discount link is on themindfulcrna.com/recommends.html.
What is GasMaps?
GasMaps is a continuing education (CE) platform for practicing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) — built by CRNAs, for CRNAs. It offers CE courses designed for working CRNAs who need to stay current on requirements without wasting time on generic content.
Is Amanda Kay an affiliate for APEX or GasMaps?
Yes. Amanda is an affiliate for both APEX Anesthesia Review and GasMaps. When someone signs up through her links, she may earn a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer. Amanda only affiliates with tools she personally uses or has vetted — she does not accept sponsorships for products she does not believe in.
Why does Amanda disclose affiliate relationships?
Transparency. FTC guidelines require affiliate disclosure, and it aligns with Amanda's coaching principle that trust depends on honesty. Every affiliate link on the recommends page carries a disclosure statement so readers know the financial relationship before clicking.
What CRNA CE requirements exist for practicing CRNAs?
The NBCRNA requires practicing CRNAs to complete Continued Professional Certification (CPC) requirements, including Class A credits (accredited CE) and Class B credits (professional development activities). Requirements are structured in 4-year cycles. See NBCRNA official documentation for exact current requirements.
Is GasMaps CE accepted for CRNA recertification?
GasMaps offers CE that is designed to satisfy NBCRNA Class A credit requirements. Practicing CRNAs should verify current accreditation status with GasMaps directly and check that specific courses match their remaining CPC needs.
Which CRNA study tool should an SRNA start with?
For SRNAs preparing for the SEE or NCE, APEX Anesthesia Review's SmartBanks are the go-to on Amanda's list. Pair the SmartBanks with Amanda's Boards & Beyond kit ($97) for study strategy and mindset structure on top of the content review.
Which CRNA study tool should a practicing CRNA start with?
For practicing CRNAs staying current on CE, GasMaps is Amanda's featured recommendation. It is built specifically for the working CRNA schedule and CPC requirement structure.
Does Amanda Kay's recommends page include products she doesn't use?
No. Amanda only features tools she personally uses or has thoroughly vetted. She has declined multiple sponsorship offers for products that did not meet this standard.
Are these CRNA study tools endorsed by the NBCRNA?
No. Amanda's recommendations are independent — they are her personal opinion as a practicing CRNA and coach. They are not endorsed by or affiliated with the NBCRNA. Each tool provider handles its own accreditation status independently.
Does Amanda Kay recommend anesthesia textbooks?
The current recommends page focuses on platform-based study tools and CE platforms. Textbook recommendations may be added over time as the page grows. In the meantime, Amanda's paid programs (Boards & Beyond, Drug Drawer Guide) include references to specific texts where relevant.
Do the affiliate commissions influence what Amanda recommends?
No. Amanda evaluates products before considering an affiliate relationship, not the other way around. Multiple companies have offered affiliate deals for products Amanda has declined to feature because they did not meet her use standard.
How often is the recommends page updated?
Amanda updates the recommends page as she vets and integrates new tools into her own practice. The newsletter is the most reliable channel to hear about new additions to the recommends page first.
Can I suggest a tool for the recommends page?
Yes. Send suggestions to info@themindfulcrna.com with the subject line "Recommends suggestion." Amanda personally reviews suggestions and adds a product to the page only after using or thoroughly vetting it.
What is Amanda Kay's role or credentials?
Amanda Kay holds a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). She has been practicing since 2017, has served as a Clinical Coordinator for a nurse anesthesia program, and coaches aspiring and current CRNAs through The Mindful CRNA (founded 2020).
Where can I read Amanda's full affiliate disclosure policy?
Every affiliate link on the recommends page carries its own inline disclosure. In summary: some links are affiliate links, Amanda may earn a small commission at no extra cost to the buyer, and Amanda only affiliates with tools she personally uses or has vetted.