Overwhelmed SRNAs

WntrMute2 · Apr 24, 2003

Keep your chin up, the first 2 semesters were the worst, a bit better the third and the forth (wrapping up Friday) was not bad at all. I guess we'll see after finals. After Friday, 2 semesters to go. Sprint to the end.

Passin' Gas · Apr 24, 2003

Well said, loisane.

MICU RN · Apr 24, 2003

Just read nilepoc's blog and yes I am waiting to hear from school and find out if will be joining the sadistic club in the fall. I certainly can relate to his motivation of not wanting to go back to the ICU and deal with crap. And yes, I do think it will be the hardest thing I will ever do academically, however, after also looking into med school I think that would be harder because of the extra time (four years) and the diversity of the class work. But I do think crna and med school are the hardest programs in the medical field. At the program I have applied to the srna's take physiology and some of the pharm classes together with the med students and I have heard it is hard as hell. So I can only image what nilepoc is going through right now. I just hope to that one day I will be able to look at it and say it was worth it.

London88 · Apr 24, 2003

I am in the process of taking general pharmacology, and it is the hardest class I have ever taken so far. I am literally fighting to obtain a B+ on each exam, and I am a pretty good student. Before beginning the anesthesia courses in the fall, I would have completed eighteen of the university credits of which there are 24 credits, and 21 anesthesia credits. I looked at Georgetown's curriculum in reference to nilepoc's blog and it looks grueling, hence why I chose to go over three years rather than two. The downside of going over three years is that it affects your financial aid, but it is a sacrifice I am willing to make. I am a good listener, and took the hint when the program director told me it was better to do this over 3 years rather than 2, and that many of the students do work part-time after the 1st two semesters when they do the 3 year program. I guess this helps make up for the loss of financial aid. Any thoughts on this?

loisane · Apr 24, 2003

london,

You raise an interesting point. I am only familiar with programs 24-27 months in length, although I know some exist that go 30+ months.

I have only heard negatives about a longer program format-that it is difficult to recruit students, because you are competing against the shorter programs. But your point is well taken, that the longer length allows for a more reasonable academic pace. It goes to show that things aren't black or white, there are usually pros and cons to each choice.

There was discussion lately about increasing the minimum length of programs from the present 24 to a new standard of 30. Nurse anesthesia educators protested, and the change was not made, at least for now. Probably will happen eventually, but now is not the time for such a change, with the huge provider shortage projected to last for years to come.

Keep up the good work, you will do fine,

loisane crna

TraumaNurse · Apr 25, 2003

I know Nilepoc personally and I know how smart he his...that's why it has scared me to death to see how overwhelming CRNA school can be! I have interviews in the coming weeks and am very excited, but I have had a new case of fear and second guessing related to the gruelling amount of work that CRNA school presents. I am not afraid of the work, but the amount of time I will have to spend away from my two young children!

The one fear I have about one of the schools I will be interviewing at, is that they told me that students do not get any breaks in the program...that even during a brief academic break, that there will still be clinicals and care plans to be done.

I want to thank all the SRNAs and CRNAs who take the time to post on this board to provide information, guidance and support.

TraumaNurse · Apr 25, 2003

I know Nilepoc personally and I know how smart he his...that's why it has scared me to death to see how overwhelming CRNA school can be! I have interviews in the coming weeks and am very excited, but I have had a new case of fear and second guessing related to the gruelling amount of work that CRNA school presents. I am not afraid of the work, but the amount of time I will have to spend away from my two young children!

The one fear I have about one of the schools I will be interviewing at, is that they told me that students do not get any breaks in the program...that even during a brief academic break, that there will still be clinicals and care plans to be done.

I want to thank all the SRNAs and CRNAs who take the time to post on this board to provide information, guidance and support.

WntrMute2 · Apr 25, 2003

Most schools give real time off every six months, but your correct that semester breaks just mean clinicals 5 days a week instead of 4.

WntrMute2 · Apr 25, 2003

Most schools give real time off every six months, but your correct that semester breaks just mean clinicals 5 days a week instead of 4.

srna · Apr 26, 2003

I just wanted to put my two cents in. I see pros and cons to the argument.

I am just becoming a senior, and my program is front-loaded. The drawback is that all of the didactics are compressed over the first three semesters, which leaves you just cramming to pass tests. Much of the information is not retained. I am presently finishing my fourth semester, and entering my fifth. I am taking research methodology, which is very watered down in comparison to all of my previous coursework. This makes it much easier to just focus on clinicals, and REAL anesthesia. This period of time is very rigorous in the clinical arena, and I would hate to have serious coursework at this point. Our clinical coordinator does a great job in posting projects and case scenarios to integrate into our clinical practice. These projects are just pass/fail and count towards our overall practicum grade. Anyhow, what I am saying is that I could not imagine having any clinicals during the first three semesters. However, if the coursework was more spread out, clinicals may be more feasible.

Being where I am now, I would not change things, but my thinking was different during the beginning of the program.

Well, the best of luck to everyone! There seems to be some light starting to shine through the tunnel!

srna · Apr 26, 2003

I just wanted to put my two cents in. I see pros and cons to the argument.

I am just becoming a senior, and my program is front-loaded. The drawback is that all of the didactics are compressed over the first three semesters, which leaves you just cramming to pass tests. Much of the information is not retained. I am presently finishing my fourth semester, and entering my fifth. I am taking research methodology, which is very watered down in comparison to all of my previous coursework. This makes it much easier to just focus on clinicals, and REAL anesthesia. This period of time is very rigorous in the clinical arena, and I would hate to have serious coursework at this point. Our clinical coordinator does a great job in posting projects and case scenarios to integrate into our clinical practice. These projects are just pass/fail and count towards our overall practicum grade. Anyhow, what I am saying is that I could not imagine having any clinicals during the first three semesters. However, if the coursework was more spread out, clinicals may be more feasible.

Being where I am now, I would not change things, but my thinking was different during the beginning of the program.

Well, the best of luck to everyone! There seems to be some light starting to shine through the tunnel!