straightforward question for CRNA's

drug abuse doesn't really have any relation to if you like your job
actually it has been shown to be more related to how stressful your job is - not because you don't like it but because it bears alot of responsibility...

if you are good at managing your time (very good) you will have time for family...some days it may be little to none - but then you get all your work done and take a day off!! you will figure it out.

As to your first post, your time with family is limited but you can make a point to spend time with them every day. Some days will be almost impossible to spend any time with the family but if you manage your time well, you can make family time a part of your schedule. I refuse to go through CRNA school and not to enjoy my family too. It can be done, but it requires some creative time juggling. You must also have an understanding family with realizes your time with them will be very limited during your time in school. The better you can manage your time, the more time you can dedicate to school, family, exercise, whatever you need to do!

I think the high drug use is related to high stress (as athomas pointed out) and easy access. You must have good coping mechanisms and appropriate outlets for stress in anesthesia or any area of high stress.

All CRNA programs are hard. The differences (Front loaded or Integrated) may make one program a better fit for a person which in some ways makes things easier, but all schools have to prepare their students to pass the boards and be proficient(sp?) CRNAs. You will learn all you need to know about O.Chem, biochem, micro, patho, physics, physiology etc while in school. Obviously not all physics, for example, is applicable to anesthesia, so you will be focusing on those aspects that relate to the field.

Most CRNA programs want their students to do well and from what I have seen, most go out of their way to make sure you know the material and will succeed in school. They are not trying to "weed out" anyone. That said, not everyone is a great teacher, so there will always be differences in how well you learn from a certain person.

Keep in mind, this is my opinion and opinions will always differ. Even within the same class, peoples perceptions and experiences can vary a great deal. I hope this helps.

Um, a question here...Isn't a 9 year old a little young to be diagnosed with a personality disorder? It's been a couple of years since my psych rotation in nursing school, but from what I remember, psychiatrists are very careful to cover all other bases for a diagnosis before deciding that someone has a personality disorder, since really the only treatment for such is extensive psychotherapy. Obviously, I don't know your daughter, but I hope she has not been "written off" as hopeless and untreatable.

Good luck to you in whatever you decide. I'm trying to make the CRNA vs. NP decision. It's not easy, either way.