Accepted, with second thoughts. HELP.

[hell000nurse]

I am having a crisis, and I need some serious advice! Here is the situation:

I've wanted to be a CRNA since college. I've been a nurse since 2004. Gained most of my experience in telemetry, was a traveling nurse, and have now been in the ICU 2 years in November. I applied to a university here in Philadelphia months back, just to get my foot in the door. I had heard all the horror stories about the interview, and wanted to get at least ONE under my belt so I could see what I was dealing with.

When I interviewed, I truly did not expect to be accepted. Like I said, I wanted to see what the interview was going to be like. In the back of my head, I was thinking I'd have another year to save money, take classes, etc.

I was crazy excited and shocked to find that I had been accepted. So of course right away, I sent in my deposit and started working overtime to pay off bills. Then I took an online health policy class.

In the past week, my mind is suddenly working overtime. I am starting to think that maybe I should wait another year to start school. Here are the reasons why I feel it may benefit me to wait another year:

1.) Money - I am single, so I dont have an OVERWHELMING amount of debt...maybe $5000 or so. I am working hard to pay it off right now, and my car will be paid off before I'd start in January. But since I didnt really except to be accepted, I have basically no savings. NO SAVINGS! I would have help from my parents but still!

2.) Classes - There are I believe 6 classes that non-matriculated students can take before the program starts, to get them out of the way. Things like health policy, role of the APN, etc. Considering this is SUCH an incredibly rigorous and demanding program, doesnt it make the most sense to make things as easy on myself as possible by taking ALL of these B.S. classes BEFORE the actual important anesthesia material begins? I only took ONE!

3.) Experience - I know a few people who have been accepted with 6 months-1 year experience in the ICU, so I know this is not unheard of. And obviously the school felt I was eligible as they did accept me. But I know that generally, people have anywhere from 8-15 years ICU experience before they begin this program! I have 2 YEARS. I am not saying that I don't think I would be able to get through.....but obviously the people who have 8 years experience will have it a lot easier than I do. This is intimidating. Does it make sense to put myself through this? Or do I get another year of experience?

Obviously this is such a hard decision. On the other hand I am SO excited to start school, to begin my 'life' in essence. To learn new things, make new friends, get my butt kicked. I already even told my job when I am leaving, and everything is basically in place for me to go.

HELP!

[loveanesthesia]

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.

[jlaineCCRN]

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.

[jfk6668]

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

[hell000nurse]

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!!

[Hold'emRN]

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!

[hell000nurse]

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?

[jls189]

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.

[MBCRNA]

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.

[pilateschick7]

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

[rncam]

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!

[LaurynRN]

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?