Anyone find CRNA School EASIER than made out to be? - Page 4

I know a lot of people have NOT addressed your original question, so I'll ignore all the other random comments that were tempting to respond to and answer your question.

My answer is: YES. I do find anesthesia school to be easier than it was made out to be. Now granted, I am not done yet...but from what upperclassmen in my program have said, I've already passed the hardest part.

I have always been strong academically, so I wasn't worried about classes. I will admit that I am studying longer and harder than I ever did before (I also completed an accelerated BSN), but it's nothing crazy. Certainly not 10+ hours a day! I still never miss Keeping Up With the Kardashians or The Bachelor, so clearly I've got some spare time lol. I also got my first B (GASP!) first semester, but whatever lol...I am doing fine in class and I'm not really breaking a sweat over it. I am a procrastinator and always have been, so I have a tendency not to study every night but to put in a solid 2 days and an early morning cram session before exams. I have also skipped class, shame on me! But my point is: it's not that bad.

As far as clinical goes, I also believe it is easier than I had expected. I expected constant torture from the CRNAs and the MDs...this is not the case at least at my clinical site. The vast majority of both CRNAs and MDs want to see the SRNAs learn and succeed. I had a surgeon patiently wait, scrubbed in, watching my put in my first central line. I thanked him for his patience when I was finished, and he told me I did a good job! Now, granted, I've also been shoved out of the way by cranky anesthesiologists who want the tube taped "just so" and in under 3 seconds after intubation, lol. But overall, I feel like the abuse level is way lower than people make it out to be, and I have been so impressed by the people who have gone out of their way to facilitate my learning. The hardest part about clinical is adjusting to long days. I do get up at 4:15 and in the OR by 5:30-5:45, and may not leave until 5-7. Some days we get lucky and our CRNA is done at 3, and sometimes they tell us to leave, too. But even 5:30-3:00 is a long day in the OR!

OK I'm rambling a little now, but my general message is not to let anyone scare you or deter you if you think CRNA is the route you want to take. I am SO happy I am doing it, I love being in the OR, and I can't imagine going back to ICU nursing now. You should probably know that I am married with a small dog and no children, so my husband pays the bills and helps pick up responsibilities like grocery shopping and feeding the dog (lol), and we have very few other responsibilities. I have classmates with 3+ kids who live an hour from school, and I can't imagine how they do it! Another thing to consider is that every program is different. A front loaded program will be different than an integrated one, and the location and culture of the clinical sites are very important. Do your research and go to the school that is right for you!

Good luck!

This is some of the BEST advice I have gotten lol! I especially like poking a hole in the bair hugger! I found myself practically hugging the bair hugger tube the other day in an ortho case lol! I also like that you try to laugh with students. We are an uptight bunch, and a little laugh can go a long way. You sound like a great preceptor! I am lucky to have lots of great ones at my clinical site, too.

Just curious, what program are you attending?

Case Western Reserve

I know what you're thinking...oh her program must just be really easy...believe me, it's not. It's just not as bad as I expected it to be after all the horror stories and 12h+ days of studying week in, week out that people have reported on here. It is hard. But it's totally do-able.

I just completed my nurse anesthesia program in December and passed boards a few weeks ago. It was a very demanding 2 1/2 years of hard work and dedication. We are taught from the same textbooks as medical students and anesthesia residents. Hence, CRNAs can do everything MDAs can more cost-effectively and this is starting to reflect in my region of hospitals and anesthesia management corporations eliminating more MDAs and hiring more CRNAs. Furthermore, CRNAs can work independently without medical supervision if they desire.

Actually I was thinking your program sounds awesome! Sounds a like a place I need to be applying!

I graduated in 1989. I found anesthesia school rather enjoyable and easier than many relate. I was also in a program that was very collegial, had no residents, provided large volumes of all clinical experiences, and all in one medical center. If curious it is the program in Youngstown, Ohio.

lol....I am sure nothing has changed there either in the couple of years since you graduated.....

Actually I have remained in touch with the program and very little HAS changed regarding the clinical experience. They are now associated with youngstown state university and offer a master's degree so the didactic curriculum HAS changed.

Yes...I am feeling ancient....once was the youngest age possible for someone in anesthesia school....yikes..

Funny but very difficult to pull off when those pathological personalities fill out your evaluations and take your hard earned tuition dollars, after you resigned from a secure full time job to pursue higher education, in an effort to achieve a goal and better yourself. Turning your world upside down to accommodate their ever changing demands makes it even harder, a reference to my anesthesia school experience. Forgiveness is key but it sure is a hard pill to swallow, at the time. Thankfully, there is life after you experience it. :0)