Any Family Friendly/Friendlier CRNA programs?

William_SRNA · Sep 3, 2005

As far as family friendly most programs will tell you that the school comes first period.. And I would imagine if you start asking about family friendliness and what not during the interview they are not going to let you in (my 0.02). That being said there are programs such as the one i go to that during the summer we went 4 days a week (not all day). and this Fall we go 3 days a week (again not all day every day) and we get a 4 day weekend. That in my opinion is about as family friendly you are going to find.

Just a brief intro. I am a RN/BSN who has been researching CRNA schools on and off for the past 5 years. For one reason or another, it was not the right time to start applying, but now it is. I am hoping to start school in 2006 or 2007.
I have been an RN for 10 years, with most of my experience at a teaching hospital/Level I trauma center PACU, SICU and MICU. I have recently taken 9 months off of nursing, but am starting back next week at a teaching hospital SICU (mostly cardiothoracic). I am also taking a 4 credit "Inorganic, Organic, and Biochemistry" class this semester, as a refresher.
I am looking at many different schools and am willing to relocate pretty much anywhere, although some places are more desirable than others.
From reading these boards, it seems that most people recommend going to a program that fits your individual needs and learning style. Not just going to any program that accepts you. I totally agree with this, so I am trying to find a program that will fit my family.
I will be relocating with my husband and 2 small children, who are now 16 months old and almost 3 years old. My husband will either find a job as an attorney or be a stay at home dad while I am in school. Depends on what state we go to (his ability to practice law differs by state), cost of school, cost of living, proximity of family to help, etc.
My question is: Are there any CRNA schools that are more family friendly than others? I am not looking for an "easier" program, just one that is a little more understanding of family issues than others. Maybe one that doesn't require as much call, overnights, weekends, holidays, etc.
Does any one have any experiences with specific schools they have attended or heard of, whether they are family friendly or family unfriendly?
Thanks

livefree · Sep 3, 2005

Hi,

Thanks for your input. Of course, I would not be bringing this up in my interviews, which is why I am asking the question on this forum.

School, of course, will take up most to all of my time. I totally understand the time commitment of a demanding graduate program. I was in my BSN program taking 50+ credits in one year while my husband was in law school putting in an average of 80-100 hours a week between class, studying, working and commuting.

So, unfortunately, both my husband and I know first hand what it is like to put a family through this type of commitment. On the positive side, he is also very understanding of the time commitment that I will be putting into school.

What program do you attend?

athomas91 · Sep 4, 2005

livefree,

i find my program to be very family friendly - although they ask alot - they are also very understanding when situations arise and if you are a good student w/ good numbers and great evaluations - they do not hesitate to help you out. In our program, however, the clinical sites vastly differ and this is what determines your time commitment. some of them do not require call - some do - some require call above your required hours - some do not...etc.. etc..

so just make sure to ask about clinical sites and what they require - perhaps talk to other students from those clinical sites to see what they recommend.

Pete495 · Sep 5, 2005

I think it's an important thing to consider for CRNA school, esp. if one has a family. Check the specs on some of the programs. A number of them give you so many personal days per year. Also, you can ask for a student schedule so you have some idea as to when you'll be off, maybe when you'll have a week off here and there, so you can plan accordingly to use your time off wisely. most programs will give you a week at least between semesters and then some at christmas time, but then some consider this part of your personal time. some programs even offer sick time, so you can ask what would happen if I got sick? There's ways of asking questions without saying how much vacation time am I going to get? Asking questions just shows your interest in managing your time in the program. it's a positive not a negative. Most good programs will understand that you have to have a life outside of school. at least mine does.

rn4cicu · Sep 16, 2005

I currently go to East Carolina University's CRNA program. It is a fairly new program as I am in the third class. It takes one class a year that starts in Jan. I would consider it to be very family friendly. It is front loaded and the schdule so far (in 3rd semester right now) and our latest day has been 4:00 getting out of class. We have started 1 clinical day a week this semester and as we progress that increases. Several of previous students through this program have had children and done very well. Our clinical experience comes from a pain clinic, surgery center, and level I hospital that are all local with little to no travel distance. Go visit http://www.ecu.edu for info.

denverlover · Dec 21, 2005

Many of you probably have not heard of the University of Scranton, NE PA, but I was prepped prior to my interview to not mention the word of family or the fact that I had children. While I interviewed, the majority of the panel mentioned not once but numerous times that they know we have families with children and that they take that into consideration...I was shocked and relieved at the same time. Made me feel like they realized that behind our driven selves, are people with families and feelings. Most however, are just that, school school school, the better robot you are, the better "you will be" as a student...