Questions for CRNA's working in rural areas

Specialties CRNA

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I have always been interested in becoming an anesthetist since before graduating from my ASN program over 13 years ago. I realize now that I should have pursued an advanced practice degree then, before I became bogged down with family commitments etc. I recently received a letter from my alma matter inviting me to apply for their new CRNA program, as they will begin a brand new program in 2005. This school is less than an hour away, which before, the nearest school was much farther and not very feasible for me to attend. I still have to complete my BSN and aquire the 1 year of required ICU experience. My questions:

1. How realistic is it to actually spend time with your family while attending CRNA school? I have 3 small children and I'm afraid that I will miss out on a lot if not all of their activities.

2. Study requirements? I think I have to study harder than most and I guess I'm very intimidated at the complexity of the subject matter and I am very afraid of failing.

3. For those of you working in rural areas, what are the workplace options? Is it better to go with a group or work for a hospital? Also, what is the starting salary right out of school? This is very important since the school I would be attending is private and very expensive. I must be able to pay back those student loans! (I'm in the southern region so I would be interested in any information about salary trends in the south.)

I really appreciate any info that you are able to provide.

You know, I can't really put my finger on the reason why I did not like ICU. It just wasn't an environment that I wanted to be in. This really has me questioning things. I clean my share of messes in L & D being the primary care nurse of laboring women, so I don't really think it's that. I have to admit that ventilators and the like do scare me to death, maybe it's because I'm inexperienced with such high tech care?

So how does one go about shadowing a CRNA? Do you go up to one and say, "Hey I want to follow you around for awhile?" I'm really clueless here.

Thanks so much for your insight into this subject. It's really helped me a lot. :)

You know, I can't really put my finger on the reason why I did not like ICU. It just wasn't an environment that I wanted to be in. This really has me questioning things. I clean my share of messes in L & D being the primary care nurse of laboring women, so I don't really think it's that. I have to admit that ventilators and the like do scare me to death, maybe it's because I'm inexperienced with such high tech care?

So how does one go about shadowing a CRNA? Do you go up to one and say, "Hey I want to follow you around for awhile?" I'm really clueless here.

Thanks so much for your insight into this subject. It's really helped me a lot. :)

I called the anesthesia dept and said I'd like to shadow. They referred me to one guy in particular, I guess he likes teaching. I set a date with him, but when I showed up he'd taken a vacation day - must have forgotten I was coming! So I shadowed a very nice female CRNA instead and we were the best of friends after two looooong breast surgeries.

I called the anesthesia dept and said I'd like to shadow. They referred me to one guy in particular, I guess he likes teaching. I set a date with him, but when I showed up he'd taken a vacation day - must have forgotten I was coming! So I shadowed a very nice female CRNA instead and we were the best of friends after two looooong breast surgeries.

Dear Cabbage Patch RN,

I have three young children also, ages 4, 3, and 1. My husband stays home with the children full time. Yes this means loans, loans, and more loans, but we couldn't and wouldn't do it any other way. I just started in August (so,have a long ways to go) and am balancing family and studies better that I thought, but it is all because I have an extremely supportive and encouraging husband!! I basically study whenever I need to (which is constantly) without feeling I have to be home with my family. If I have some free time, its a bonus. I also schedule 1 afternoon and evening (at the end of the week) with my family and don't even mention school, real quality time!!

I must say though, you really have to want this bad. I tend to have the occassional guilt about how much I am away and how much my husband is doing on his own. But, we both know the benefit in the end will far out weigh the stress and time apart these 28 months. Attitude is everything.

Best of Luck to you!

I have always been interested in becoming an anesthetist since before graduating from my ASN program over 13 years ago. I realize now that I should have pursued an advanced practice degree then, before I became bogged down with family commitments etc. I recently received a letter from my alma matter inviting me to apply for their new CRNA program, as they will begin a brand new program in 2005. This school is less than an hour away, which before, the nearest school was much farther and not very feasible for me to attend. I still have to complete my BSN and aquire the 1 year of required ICU experience. My questions:

1. How realistic is it to actually spend time with your family while attending CRNA school? I have 3 small children and I'm afraid that I will miss out on a lot if not all of their activities.

2. Study requirements? I think I have to study harder than most and I guess I'm very intimidated at the complexity of the subject matter and I am very afraid of failing.

3. For those of you working in rural areas, what are the workplace options? Is it better to go with a group or work for a hospital? Also, what is the starting salary right out of school? This is very important since the school I would be attending is private and very expensive. I must be able to pay back those student loans! (I'm in the southern region so I would be interested in any information about salary trends in the south.)

I really appreciate any info that you are able to provide.

"heaven would be a solid 9 hours every night and my mental and emotional functioning go down the tubes very quickly if i run on a sleep deficit for more than a few days."

apaisern,

i am exactly the same way!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i still make my 6 yr old take naps not because she is tired, but because mommy is tired.:rotfl: it works for me because she is a very obediant/compliant child and i tell her that kids her age still need 12 hours sleep per day (which is true).

and deepz - you crack me up! do you get busted for "natural" stimulants -- ex. hydroxycut or metabolife... anything with caffeine in them, may hung (or however you spell it), guarana... i cannot stand coffee, so i am counting on these 'lil babies to save my bottom.... and besides, they are "natural, otc, herbs".. yada... yada... yada.

i used to take hydroxycut with a diet coke as my breakfast routine and then after about 2 months realized the reason i was getting nauseated -- those 2 together have a ton of caffeine. so now my breakfast of champions is just the hydroxy and caffeine-free dc - .

i hated ICU as well!! i am just not cut out for that - i had always done ER - but to satisfy some I did do a short time (8 mos) in CVICU which is quite interesting...

you will need some type of critical care experience...what about NICU??

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