I had not mentioned this anywhere else, and kind of thought it was important enough to merit it's own thread.
If you are considering applying to CRNA schools, and you are married or otherwise involved in a serious relationship, then this applies to you. The decision to start a CRNA program is not only going to affect you, it WILL affect your significant other as well. Now is the time to have a long, heart to heart, without the TV conversation with them. There are up sides to becoming a CRNA that any spouse will enjoy, pay not being the least. But the path to CRNA also has it's downsides, and you owe it to your partner to let them know before you start what they are.
You need to let them know what all is involved. They must know that you will not be able to work much while you are in school, so that source of income is going to dry up. They also need to know that from day one of school, until the day you take and pass boards, your involvement with the relationship and family are going to be greatly curtailed. You will be studying, and studying very hard. You will probably be cranky, and if you are like me, noise while studying will drive you up the wall. You just won't have time for going out. Many of the family responsibilities you now have you may not have time for once you start.
You also must decide now that you are going to have to do what you can while in school to be there for your SO. Sometimes, you will have to put the books aside, and take them out to dinner and a movie, or whatever is special to you all. Believe me, there will be times you will have to force yourself to do this. And whenever you have a spare second or two, (like in bed, just before going to sleep) remind yourself that you could not be doing this without someone else's support. At the same time, remind them how you really feel about them. Reassurance helps.
I posted this thread, because looking back, I can remember people getting divorced, or nearly so, while in school. I can also remember some real tough times in my own marriage. If it weren't for the strength of my wife, I don't know if we would have made it. I know I wished someone had straight out told me this before I started.
Kevin McHugh