Balancing family and school

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I am a single mom with 2 teenage daughters ages 13 and 15. What kind of hours does being in a CRNA program take? I'm mostly thinking of the evening hours. How many hours a day studying would you say? Does being a CRNA student most involve daylight clinical?

Is it realistic to think of being a CRNA student as a full time job, 40-60 hours a week, including classes, clinicals, studying?

I tell you folks, our kids are more resiliant than we give them credit for sometimes. I think I "suffered" more than they did-being away from home, guilt, etc. Their routine did not change, I just was out of town now. Initially, my wife and I didn't thnk school in Raleigh would work logistically, but it really hasn't been bad. I drive up Sun pm or Mon am depending on whether or not I have a test Mon, and come back Fri after clinical. Wife goes to work Fri and Sat pm,I have the kids, and then it starts over again. Family and friends fill in the gaps with the kids when I have weekend clinical.

I tell you, I cannot believe I am halfway through my second semester. No regrets at all for making the investment. It will be worth it in the end.

Now that is impressive!

I remember after our second was born my wife worked WEO and I worked during the week and I thought it was tough...no down time...and you're doing it during NA school!! WOW my hat is off and good luck!

Ray

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Thanks everyone for the great replies. I am a single mom because I am a widow--dear husband died of pancreatic cancer June 05. It's been really tough for the 3 of us, but I think the worst is behind and I am excited to be excited about the future. I ruled out becoming a CRNA 20+ years ago because I loved that intense family/patient contact, the ICU environment. Got my MSN as a CV CNS, loved all of it. But not anymore. My favorite pt is a propofolized one. I have done all the family/pt stuff, I have taught, mentored, precepted, committeed. I am so done with all of that. I was really clueless about what I wanted to do in the future (for the first time in 30 years as a nurse) until I had a dream one night about becoming an anesthesiologist. In my dream I was thinking how that would be impossible--too much time and money and I am too old to start that kind of thing. When I awoke, I was wondering where THAT dream come from. Then I had a true Eureka! moment--become a CRNA!!! It fits perfectly. I would start in Aug 2007 if accepted and that gives us as a family to really get ourselves together and for me to buy the textbooks to study. My oldest will graduate from HS the same month I would graduate. I would need some time to visit colleges with her, but there are vacation days, right? She will learn to drive before I start. My youngest will be done with 10th grade when I graduate. Teaching her to drive would be a group effort.

That being said, I have always loved school, love a learning challenge. It doesn't stress me, but it really gets my adrenaline flowing. And I would love my girls to see me in school. I finished my MSN 4 years before the oldest was born. And the prospective salary range impresses even my kids. They understand living on a advanced practice nurses salary, all except CRNAs I mean, which is always just making it now that it is just me, vs. living and paying for college on the salary of a CRNA.

This site is great--and has been a great help to me.

Debbie in Pittsburgh

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Wow, Debbie, your courage and grit are commendable. I am so sorry for your loss and so impressed that you are channeling your grief into this productive new enterprise. You shouldn't have any trouble getting admitted with your experience and prior degree. Best of luck!

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Got my MSN as a CV CNS, loved all of it. But not anymore. My favorite pt is a propofolized one. I have done all the family/pt stuff, I have taught, mentored, precepted, committeed. I am so done with all of that.

LOL...I know what you mean! That sounds just like me a few years ago...burnout. had enough. We called propofol "cruise control" and the perfect patient was "intubated, sedated and paralyzed". Time for a change. You can do whatever you set your mind to do and as others have said your hard work would be setting a great example for your daughter, especially teens. Sounds like with your credentials you shouldn't have a problem. Go for it and good luck!

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In the bottom left of my post I notice something that says: Warn (0%) and then 5 joined little tan boxes. Can anyone tell me what these mean?

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