pre-anesthesia jitters...

EmeraldNYL, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2003

Congrats on your acceptance!! I go to the Hahnemann/Drexel accelerated BSN program, and I'm interested in going to NA school there in a few years, so you'll have to let me know how you like the program!! If you don't mind my asking, can you tell me a little about your background, GPA, etc? By the way, Drexel's financial aid dept. really stinks, they never return phone calls so you actually have to go in and talk to them in person. Good luck, try not to stress too much!!

athomas91 · Aug 21, 2003

i have a bsn from villa julie college in baltimore - i have been an er nurse for 5 years and a cvicu nurse for the past year (in requirement for the program) - i think my bsn level gpa was something like 3.7 - i don't remember my gre scores - but verbal was high - math was mediocre - and i was told they are only interested in verbal- i have taken 4 courses pre-matriculated - and am trying at st.francis and christiana for clinicals!! good luck in your application!

Athlein · Aug 22, 2003

Athomas,

I can't help but wonder about the people that AREN'T a bit jittery about starting an anesthesia program. I mean, do they have nerves of steel, or are they just naturally confident, or what?! It is a huge step - personally and professionally.

When you have a long lag time between acceptance and the first day of school, it gives you a lot of time to ponder the what-ifs of your plan.

The money issue is a major source of anxiety. I know a student that is still working every weekend - no kids and a stable, comfortable non-ICU environment. It's been nearly a year, and this arrangement is still working out. But it has been challenging. A handful of others work a couple of shifts per month. The majority of us just take out student loans and focus on completing the program so we can pay them off!

You will find that overload in an anesthesia program is a part of the curriculum. You are always reading, always studying, always wondering if you are doing enough to prepare. The information really zips along, and you either board the train at the station or watch it pull away from you at the platform. It is very, very difficult to catch up if you fall behind.

The scenario that I hear about most often is this - student commits to working weekend. Big test Monday. Student either a) calls out sick, infuriating coworkers and manager, who know why she is really absent or b) bombs exam. A lose-lose situation for all parties.

The students that seem to be the most challenged (read that as miserable) are those that must do it all - commute, spouse, kids, extracurriculars, work. Something has to give so that you have the time to excel in your studies and maintain your sanity. That's why it is a good idea to think long and hard about time management and separate the wheat from the chaff long before the first day of school.

In the end, it really depends on what you feels comfortable to YOU. If you can manage work and school, then you go, girl. But please make a back-up financial plan in the event that it doesn't turn out that way.

Best of luck with your plans!

Brenna's Dad · Aug 24, 2003

Good Point Athlein. I would suggest not working and focusing on family and school. Those are the things that really matter.

sweetdreams · Aug 25, 2003

athomas91.

CONGRATS on your acceptance. I just started my program last week and like you my main worry was how to survive financially during the program. I took a couple of travel assignments where I knew they were looking for CRNAs, working PACU, and came away with a sponser for the program. Some students want to wait until graduation to commit to a job but I felt that after working in the facility and getting to know the staff it was the right decision for me...I know it will make school considerably easier.

Dave

athomas91 · Aug 25, 2003

i have actually pondered the sponsor thing..... the place where i am planning to do my clinicals - i have worked in the cvicu and know many of the anesth. staff members - i am sure i could get them to sponsor me - but i am not sure that i want to owe 2-3 years of my life afterward to them?!?!

i haven't really decided yet.

London88 · Aug 25, 2003

I have decided to try the working on weekends thing after much planning. The first two semesters of my program are considered the heavy semesters, with the workload easing up half way through the second smemster. I do not have to take any of the MSN classes until Sep 2004 as I have completed 18 of the 24 MSN credits. With carefull planning, I am working one day each week from October to the end of the first semester with the second day being a vacation day. The second semester I will also being using a few vacation days. My workplace is very easy going, and the supervisors do not care if I sit there studying if my patients are okay. Obviously this is not guaranteed as you don't know what the day is going to be like. I took all my days off on a Sunday, so that if I have an exam I have the day to study. If this does not work out I shall simply quit. My workplace is very "user friendly" so I do not want to give up the $50000 that I make for working two days a week unless it is absolutely necessary. It is not that much money but it helps make ends meet.

athomas91 · Aug 26, 2003

i spoke w/ my employer about going to dayshift wkends as opposed to nites..... i will try it for a few wks - if i find i don't have enough study time - i will go per diem or quit - no big deal....but i work in an ed- usually no study time...