[wmf]

I am interested in going to CRNA school - but there is no way I can go to school without working - is it possible to go to school and work full time?
I live in a rural area and we sure are in need of CRNA's - is there some type of financial assistance for those who plan to work in rural areas?

Thanks, wmf

[riaeg]

I have researched this same issue several times as I am in the same type of situation. I did find two schools, one in N. Carolina and one in California, that allowed a part-time option to attend their CRNA programs. I have interviewed for two other programs, and also had to decline a few interviews, and found that there was NO WAY to work full time while attending CRNA school. In fact, it is almost impossible to work at all. I worked full time while attending both LPN and RN programs, in addition to completing my BSN, so I am not one to get much sleep or free time. But everyone I have spoken with pretty much stated in no uncertain terms that I would not be able to do that this time.
There are financial programs available, and most likely grants for agreeing to work for a certain # of years in an underserved area of population. You can access this information at: http://www.bphc.hrsa.gov/

[shyviolet78]

To my knowledge, and according to the Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, there are only 3 programs in Texas, other than the Army program. One is at Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, which I believe has a part-time option, and the other two are in Houston at Baylor College of Medicine and UT-Houston.

This page has a link to all of these colleges: http://www.texasana.org/pinaep.html

The website above might also have some info about financial assistance for CRNA's in rural areas. Hope this helps.

Valerie