Anyone find CRNA School EASIER than made out to be?

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hey everyone,

I consider myself to have above average intelligence and did fairly well in college (a top 20 private university). Last year, I decided medical school wasn't for me due mainly to the expense (4 years medical school than 3-5 years residency at a very low salary = loan buildup!). I was going to have to pay for any schooling past undergrad on my own, so I decided I could still go into the medical field, but with a cheaper route - an advanced practice nurse. When I was going to medical school, I planned to either be a surgeon, dermatologist, psychiatrist, or anesthesiologist. I have interest in all 4 fields and would be happy in any of them. As an advanced nurse, I can be a dermatology certified NP, a mental health NP, or a CRNA - making it possible to still follow the paths of my 3 favorite specialities. I've been finding out what I can about all three, and when I look up CRNA information I always see the same thing: That CRNA education is a nightmare-ish experience. That it requires 10+ hours of studying per day, etc.

So did anyone find it a bit easier than it was made out to be? I'm not saying easy...just easier than people let on. For example, I went to an accelerated BSN program and all I ever heard was how hard it is from current students. One guy who spoke to us during orientation (a last semester student) said "Get used to B's...B's are awsome. You're never going to see another A again." It terrified me. Yet here I am at the end of the first semester and I've made straight A's with very little studying (2-3 hours before an exam total). So I wonder if anyone can give me some insight into what to expect really if I choose this route. Did anyone go to school and realize it wasn't nearly as difficult as people made it out to be...perhaps 1-2 hours of studying per day (with extra before exams) as opposed to this 10+ I keep hearing??

Specializes in CRNA, Law, Peer Assistance, EMS.

I graduated in 1989. I found anesthesia school rather enjoyable and easier than many relate. I was also in a program that was very collegial, had no residents, provided large volumes of all clinical experiences, and all in one medical center. If curious it is the program in Youngstown, Ohio.

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
I graduated in 1989. I found anesthesia school rather enjoyable and easier than many relate. I was also in a program that was very collegial, had no residents, provided large volumes of all clinical experiences, and all in one medical center. If curious it is the program in Youngstown, Ohio.

lol....I am sure nothing has changed there either in the couple of years since you graduated.....:jester:

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Specializes in CRNA, Law, Peer Assistance, EMS.

Actually I have remained in touch with the program and very little HAS changed regarding the clinical experience. They are now associated with youngstown state university and offer a master's degree so the didactic curriculum HAS changed.

Yes...I am feeling ancient....once was the youngest age possible for someone in anesthesia school....yikes..

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Specializes in coronary and surgical ICU.

Funny but very difficult to pull off when those pathological personalities fill out your evaluations and take your hard earned tuition dollars, after you resigned from a secure full time job to pursue higher education, in an effort to achieve a goal and better yourself. Turning your world upside down to accommodate their ever changing demands makes it even harder, a reference to my anesthesia school experience. Forgiveness is key but it sure is a hard pill to swallow, at the time. Thankfully, there is life after you experience it. :0)

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How do you feel about the "abuse level" now as a practicing CRNA ?

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Specializes in CRNA, Finally retired.

Don't feel that it's any worst than doctor-on-doctor abuse.

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Specializes in NICU.

You'll have to remember that you will not even be considered for a CRNA program before a couple of years of SOLID ICU nursing experience!

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is there a lot of chemistry involved?

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Simply not true. There are schools out there that will accept PACU and ER as experience..." Critical Care" is not well defined by the COA or AANA.

I'm a bit tired of people thinking it is difficult to get into a program. In the last 5 to 10 years there has been an explosion of schools and seats.

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It's not as hard as everyone makes it out to be, sure. You have to come into school with good study habits and time management skills. People that struggled with those issues in undergrad who never changed will find CRNA school impossible to manage. If you've got those under control, it's very doable.

I think time management is the worst part. Waking up at 4 AM to be to clinical, then having to leave clinical to go back to school for a seminar, then back to the hospital to go do your pre-op's before even going home only to have to be back at the hospital in the morning doesn't leave much free time. You have to be focused to study on a tight schedule like that.

It is not impossible to get into school, but the further I get in my program, the more I keep hearing finding a job is more about where you went to school. Finding a job as an RN, it really doesn't seem to matter where you went, or whether your BSN is from an online program or a brick and mortar. For those who think you should just go to whatever school will accept you, think about it first. If the school is easy to get into but has terrible attrition rates or is known in the area for cranking out students with poor clinical performance, you're doing yourself a disservice.

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesia.

CRNA school is different for everyone. One of the biggest things to consider when speaking with someone is what Nurse Anesthesia Program did they attend? Each program is different with some being harder than others. Also, was the program front-loaded where they take just the didactic portion of school for the first year and then start clinicals after? This type of set up allows for more study time, because you are not having to balance studying with with being in the OR.

OVERALL... CRNA school is difficult, and anyone who says it isn't is lying. You will hear most people compare it to "Trying to drink from a firehose". You are given an enormous amount of information in a short period of time. With that said it is very manageable if you have a strong work ethic. Don't let people scare you away from your dream, just know that it will require a lot of effort on your part. Best of luck!

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I got accepted into northshore and rush for next year. Given the time you posted this, wondering what your thoughts are about crna school and the profession as a whole, now that you're on the other side. I too have a family (4yr old and 2 yr old) and am super anxious about the time I would have to sacrifice for school

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