Is CRNA compatible with having a family?

nilepoc · Jul 2, 2002

I don't know how many of the women in my program have children, but their are only six men and eighteen women in my upcomming program. I have no idea how the distribution is for the Navy students. So I imagine there will be some women with children, and some men with children. I would imagine it is very possible, but mabye easy.

Craig

AL bug · Jul 2, 2002

9 men, 16 women in my class. 5 of the men have children and 7 of the women have at least one child. Some of the women have babies less than a year old and one girl who has an 8 month old baby is 3 months pregnant, not planned. All this to say that it can be done, but it takes sacrifice. Many of the women are going to CRNA school now so they can work part-time, spend time with their families in the future, and still have a good income. Hope this helps, but it will ultimately be your decision. Good Luck.

bug

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jul 3, 2002

I have just been accepted into Cal State Fullerton- 30 students. Only 7 women. I don't know the details yet. But you can do anything if you set your mind to it. Everything worth doing takes some kind of sacrifice. What will be what you are willing to give up? You can go into critical care and be very happy. Work your 3-4 shifts a week and spend the rest of the time with your family. Up to you. (Personally, I am married, no children) So I have a bit more free time. Good Luck!

lgcv · Jul 3, 2002

I have four children. and I am in school now. It just takes coordination, and effort on everyones part. Level of sacrifice is a personal thing, what seems like a lot to one person may not seem like much to another. Cllinicals, classes and homework I average around 60 hours a week.

CRNA wife · Sep 17, 2002

While I am not sure what it would be like to be a mother and in school, I can comment on being a wife and mother whose husband is in CRNA school. In a typical week T-F, my husband leaves the house at 5 am and comes home between 6pm and 8pm. When he does come home, he tries to study for an hour or so before we go to bed at 9:30. There are days in a row that he doesn't even see our 15 month old. He is also working one day (12-14 hour shifts) a week to put food on our table. So, that means that Saturdays are shot too. Mondays he has class and leaves at 6:30 am and gets home at 5pm. (That's the best day!)

I am not sure how mothers could handle this unless they plan to spend very little time with their kids. Oh, did I mention that he already has a Master's so this is a post-master's program that means he doesn't have to write a thesis or take MS classes.

Good luck!

u-r-sleeepy · Sep 17, 2002

I would concur with all of the previous statements. There is no way that anyone of us can know what YOU are able to handle as a student/wife/mother. I can think of few opportunities so rich with reward and diverse schedules once you are through the program and enjoy a rather healthy income to boot. Now what are you willing to sacrifice to get there? Only you can decide that.

I would say the 50-60 hour weeks while in school are common from my viewpoint. Sometimes 40-50 hours a week happens depending on clinical site and volume. I think the way to look at it is you will forfeit some of your "fun-time" for 2-3 years depending on your school program in exchange for the rest of your life being the kind of work/reward most people only dream of. Once you're out of school you can work out just about any schedule you can dream up. One of our instructors works three 24hr shifts a month because she wants more time at home with her young child - and she can afford to do that!

One thing I've learned - no one is going to "hand it to you" - you have to want it bad enough to make sacrifices to get there. As we all say - only YOU can decide if the sacrifice is worth it.

Best wishes -

blazeboy97 · Sep 17, 2002

13 students (8 women, 5 men). 4 men are married (3 have kids), 5 women are married (2 have kids).

I think alot of it may have to do with what program you chose and how it is set up. Here at Medical College of Georgia, we have classes 3 days a week during the first semester, 4 days a week second semester, then clinical starts (up early, usually finished by 5p) third semester. My friend at the University of South Carolina is married and has a child (4 yrs). She has classes 3 days a week (8a-12p) and clinical one day a week, she comes home and studies until her husband and child comes home (6p) then spends some family time. She usually returns to the books after the child is in bed.

I am not married nor have any kids, but listening to those at school who do, it is possible, you just have to plan your time wisely.

Kimmi