Difference between Nurse Anesthesia School and Nursing School???

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

I just finished nursing school and I will begin working in the ICU in February with the ultimate goal of applying to nurse anesthesia school after about a year. I was hoping to hear from some nurse anesthesia students about the differences in anesthesia school as opposed to nursing school. Everyone says that anesthesia school is very difficult, but can some of you share how it is different and how you had to adjust in order to be succesful.

Please share your thoughts and ideas and even any suggestions.

Specializes in Anesthesia.

I start anesthesia school in a few months, but while talking to a friend that has been in for about 6 months he says it feels like your standing at the bottom of Niagra Falls with your mouth wide open trying to take in all the water--compared to the volume of information you read and study.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Trauma/E.R./ ICU.

I think anesthesia school is a challenge. Nursing school was a cake-walk comparitively. Don't get me wrong- I am proud of my nursing degree, but I could at least study for a bit and then get a day or 2 off per week. There is NEVER a day off in Anesthesia School-- there is only borrowed time. If you borrow time from 1 subject it is taking time away from another etc..... Someone earlier said it was the volume- I agree 100%. There haven't been any concepts that have been over my head yet- BUT there are just SO MANY things to learn and remember. Plus- Like our program director says, "You can't afford to forget anything." That is also the program director's way of reminding us that all tests are cumulative all the way through school.

I read all of these posts prior to starting to try and get a feel for how it was going to be. I tried to prepare the best I could- the family did the same. Even with all the best planning it has been a HUGE adjustment. Nothing we can say will actually prepare you. Plus- mentally you won't really believe it (most likely) until you experience it. But try to believe what you are reading... Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment