[cynt77]

Hey guys and gals.
I think this is a good idea (I hope). Can you guys compare & contrast nursing school and CRNA school. I think it will really help us to know what to expect.

Thanks so much

[dfk]

i start in the fall... but from what i gather, no comparison at all.. i'd give it comparable to two yrs of med school (voume wise).. just plain solid and full of work.. be prepared to give up two yrs of ur life.. but, should u decide, u must've made the choice, no?

[chansonsrna]

Well i'm about one year into school, so my didactic is nearly over (less than 3 weeks till clinical starts). Well, I don't think undergrad compares to the graduate level. When I was in undergrad I worked full time plus (nights) and went to school and did well.....Now I am not working and spend on average 12-14+ hours a day studying (counting in class time) 5 days a week so I don't have to study as much on weekends. Weekends I study 2-4 hours a day and take some days off completely. Sounds like a lot, but when you're not working school becomes your job. Well, that's my schedule, some study more some less, but from a volume standpoint it is amazing how much you learn in such a short time. Hope this helps.

[cynt77]

Thank you guys for all of your replies!

[Just a CRNA]

Originally Posted by cynt77

Hey guys and gals.
I think this is a good idea (I hope). Can you guys compare & contrast nursing school and CRNA school. I think it will really help us to know what to expect.
Thanks so much

Some say it's like the difference between drinking from a soda straw and then drinking from a fire hose!

[cynt77]

Originally Posted by Just a CRNA

Some say it's like the difference between drinking from a soda straw and then drinking from a fire hose!

O.K you're scaring me

[apaisRN]

Originally Posted by Just a CRNA

Some say it's like the difference between drinking from a soda straw and then drinking from a fire hose!

What a great analogy!

I couldn't begin to describe the experience. In general, if you have what it takes to get in (lots of hoops to jump through, long-term focus on goals) you will make it work once you get there. It is very hard. It feels like a worthwhile thing to be doing. Nursing school felt like an enormous waste of my time. (not nursing, you understand, but nursing school.)

I am counting the months. Might even start counting weeks, although maybe it is a bit early for that since I have 17 months to go.

[sandman1]

I agree. They are hardly worth putting in the same sentence. Compare? kiddie slope vs. black diamond, 5k versus a marathon, life versus no life (literally),......you get the picture. I like the straw and fire hose analogy as well!!

[TexasCCRN]

Originally Posted by Just a CRNA

Some say it's like the difference between drinking from a soda straw and then drinking from a fire hose!

I am about to finish my first year of school and I 2nd that statement. The volume of material is overwhelming, but with sacrifice and hard work it is possible. When i was in nursing school i thought it was hard, but i had NO idea what difficult was. I look back on it and laugh now. I always say to my husband "If i had worked this hard in nursing school I would have had a 4.0". Just sit down, hold on and get ready for a crazy ride! It will all be worth it in the end for a very satisfying career.

[willti1]

I get scared reading these posts but goose bumps when I read it is all worth it... I was a total underdog applying/interviewing... but am now more determined.. I start in January! I'm sure I'll be posting more once school starts!