Accepted, with second thoughts. HELP.

1.) Money - I worried about money until I started the program, then once I started the program, I had too many other things to worry about. Problem solved! :) Actually you sound in pretty good shape, live cheap, you won't have much time to spend any money anyway-except tuition.

2.) Classes - I only took ONE!---This I don't know, we didn't have this option. Can you find out if anyone takes the classes at the same time as the anesthesia content?

3.) Experience - Don't forget about the tele experience, that with 2 years of ICU is a pretty solid background. I really feel strongly that 1 year of ICU is not enough, but that's not you. And 8 years is not necessarily better than 2, the learning curve really flattens after about 3 years.

These don't sound like good reasons to pull out. You have cold feet and will be fine once you start.

hell000nurse

I just started my first sem. of crna school. I am in my fourth week. I had five years exp. before application. I can tell you right now that you will start out in the very same place as a person with 10 years exp. It is a blessing to get in, so do not take it lightly. Get your butt in school now. The sooner you get in then the sooner you get out. There is zero decision to make. Student and private loans will give you all the money that you will need to live and be comfortable. I have a wife and three children ages 4, 2, and a baby. I would not change my decision for anything in the world. GOD put me in school and GOD will get me out. Good luck and go to school.

Having more experience doesn't make anesthesia easier.......what does a few extra years of the ICU teach you about anesthesia

I believe years and years in the ICU is the most over rated thing in CRNA school

Most anesthetist are agree that the only thing that teaches you to do anesthesia is learning anesthesia

I truly appreciate these responses! Your input, along with a long conversation I had with a trusted friend who is 219 days away from graduated I have decided to GO FOR IT.

He corrected a few misconceptions that I had. First, I thought it would put me so far behind that I had only taken one class. The reality is, only 2-3 people in his class had taken 1-2 classes before the program started. Second, the majority of people in his junior class had 1-3 years experience...which puts me smack dab in the midddle with 2 years experience.

I'm going for it! I feel so much better, thanks all!!

I would NOT turn down your position. I am in my senior year and last year during interviews, one person told me that they had turned down a position 2 years back and had interviewed 7 different times since then only to get turned down every time! You have NO guarantee you will ever be accepted again!

I dont know what my schools policy is on deferment....if i got in for this year, and decided i wanted to wait a year, would i have to go through the whole application process again?

GO! GO! GO! It would be ashamed to give up such a wonderful opportunity. I shadowed a CRNA who did the same as you. She really didn't think she would get accepted. When she did, she said that she worked her butt off to get her finances in order. She said that money was extremely tight while in school, but she did it and has been working for a few years now and is so glad that she went through with it. She had only been an ICU nurse for a little over a year when she went in. I wouldn't worry about needing more experience. That is what school is for to teach you. This CRNA I speak of was also single at the time with no help from parents. She did mention getting a graduate plus loan which helps with expenses other than just school. Good Luck.

Honestly, you shouldn't throw away this opportunity. You are not in debt. It doesn't matter that you don't have money saved. You get loans. You'll make much more and be able to pay back quick (especially since you aren't buried in debt). GO FOR IT NOWWW.

I totally understand your position. I applied prior to my "ideal window" to get an interview experience at my dream school and got in! Several friends in my unit recommended I take the opportunity because "life" has a tendency to get in the way...kids, sick parents, marriage. I begin my program this winter.

You will qualify for Grad Plus and Alternative loans to help with your living expenses. You might want to make an excel spreadsheet to help you see the big picture. You will have more debt when you graduate however, your will have a much bigger shovel to pay the debt off (Dave Ramsey)

The admissions committee would not have accepted you if they did not feel you were capable.

Call the PD and ask if you can contact more students currently in the program to get their perspective.

Hope this helps

Go don't wait. You will be on even ground with all the other students. you may not ever get the opportunity again. It's like having kids there is never a perfect time. GO FOR IT!

I too say go for it! Oh, and I'm jealous! I am interviewing next week and am so nervous. I have only applied to one school and am regretting putting all my eggs in one basket. I am also in Philly, where are you starting?

Jefferson, Jan. 09! You?