Ok, what about age?

tariggs · Apr 9, 2003

You will do fine!

Shamrock, BSN, RN · Apr 9, 2003

GOOD LUCK!!

MICU RN · Apr 9, 2003

Really research what you think you want to do, shadow a crna as well as a ICU Rn before jumping into this journey. To say you have a long road ahead is an understatement, especially if you are going through a ADN program first. I went that route and am finally waiting to find out if was accepted to a CRNA program. I started my ADN program in 1996 and graduated my RN/BSN program in DEC. 2002 and am taking graduate stats and waiting to find out if I got accepted to crna school. I will be 37 this weekend and 40 by time grad. crna school if I get accepted. The point is that if you really want this it can be done at almost any age, however, it is a long and hard journey. The undergrad. nursing education was hard and required plenty of hard work and sacrifice, not to mention that I really have not enjoyed bedside nursing that much and would have not have gone into nursing accept for the opportunity to become a crna. Now, I have worked in big academic teaching hospitals my whole RN career and have loved being exposed to medical knowledge, however bedside nursing requires alot of menial work such as cleaning up waste products, be expected to be a waiter for the patient and family members, being a clerk at times and a house cleaner. This work consumes plenty of your time and it can be very frustating at times to say the least.

I mention this because I think many are now attracted to becoming a crna because of the money and have no clue what nursing is about. They don't realize that you will have to be a bedside RN for at least a year maybe 2 or 3 which means plenty of crap work before you ever get to a CRNA program. You will also not receive much respect as a college educated professional until you get to the crna level. And because of the pay an job opportunites for crna's the number of people interested has sky rocketed, you face stiff competion to even get in a program. For example some programs interview 100-150 for say 15-20 slots, I was told by one crna instuctor that on average there are 25 applicants for every available slot thoughout the nation right now.

But as mention in the beginning of the post if you are very motivated and have a certain academic aptitude you can achieve this goal at almost any age. I just think we are doing a disservice to people by not sharing with them the trueth about becoming a crna and how hard it is. Good luck with your decision and I hope I helped by sharing my experience and opinion. Now I know you were asking for words of encouragement but I think a dose of reality will be just as benificial. I was told many of these things before i started and ignored the advice thinking it can't be that hard, but it was.

smiling_ru · Apr 9, 2003

There are only 2 people in my class under the age of 30, the oldest is 47. Age is not a barrier. Go for it.

lml33 · Apr 10, 2003

Think positive and remain dedicated! I'm at the other end of the pole. I'll begin the CRNA program at the age of 27. Many patients think I'm a high school student. Their eyeballs practically fall out of their sockets when I tell them that I have a BSN, and married with two kids. Imagine what the patient will think when I'm coming at them with an epidural catheter (LOL)! Anyway, think positive, you're much wiser than everyone else!

IvyElizabeth · Apr 12, 2003

Sounds like we are in the same boat. At 42, I am starting my nursing education, if all goes smoothly, I anticipate being a CRNA by age 49-50.

We can do it. As always, it is important to understand what going back to school entails, i.e. sacrifices. Knowing what I know now and having been laid of a few times in the corporate world, those sacrifices will be worth it.

I am looking forward to my journey and see it as a great adventure. Not only will I have the opportunity to learn something new (stave off alzheimers) I will be learning how to help people and I will have a respectable career at the end of the road.

I would enjoy hearing more of your thoughts on this whole subject. Maybe we can push and pull each other along the path!!

Ivy

PS. I started working as a tech about 6 mos. ago. I already know that I don't want to be a tech or floor nurse any longer than I have to.

janis9799 · Apr 13, 2003

You can do anything you set your mind to. You are going to be fifty something someday anyway, wouldn't it be nice to be fifty something and a CRNA? It is my belief it is never too late for an education.

Janis

OKIE-DOKIE · Apr 13, 2003

Yeah....I agree with Janis. You might as well "be fifty something and a CRNA!" I look at it like "What do you have to lose?" It's a neat, new challenge with many benefits when it's all over and said with. Even if I only had two years left till retirement when I got my CRNA it would be worth it to do something I LOVE versus just sticking it out the last two years doing something I did not necessarily like. BTW, I'm just 25...probably the baby on this forum. I work on a General Medical floor right now, and they call me "Grasshopper." It doesn't bother me. Many of my patients think I'm too young to be a nurse. One told me I looked like I was "not a day over 18!" Working conditions on the floor are so poor right now that many of the seasoned nurses say they can't imagine just now starting their nursing career like I am. I agree with them. I have come to the conclusion that I KNOW I can't do this for forty more years of my life and the CRNA seemed like the route for me, after doing a lot of research. Now, I can't stop talking about it. My husband keeps saying "Alright, already...enough is enough!"