The door has opened

Specialties CRNA

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Hello again,

Have been accepted into the CRNA program at St. Elizabeth hospital in Youngstown and will be starting in August :D

A couple of thoughts: I gained some very useful information from this board (during the application process)and am thankful & appreciate the efforts of those who have/continue to post!! If you have not been accepted - keep knock'n on that door brothers & sisters because it WILL open....... 1 year, 5 applications and 3 interviews later - it did just that!!

To those who have started school or now working in the field: What one or two things did/have you discovered that surprised you after starting in your program??? ie. workload, friendliness of faculty, difficulty keeping laundry washed,etc.

Have read some threads dealing with free time leading up to the start of studies: some have suggested a little review and others have suggest enjoying the free time now because it will DEFINITELY be a thing of the past. Any other thoughts on prepping/not prepping before starting a program???

can't offer advice but do have a question or two. what are the educational requirements prior to being accepted? what is the course work like in the actual program? (meaning, kinds of classes) best of luck to you in your career....................chris

I would say take a fishing trip on the Gulf, or go diving in the Keys before starting school.

Lee

Nurse guy,

go to AANA.com and do a search on the schools and then you can pick one out and go to that site and get all the info you need. Most places list entrance requirements, classes and schedules. Each school is a little different but all in all they all must all meet standards set forth by the AANA.

Lee.

It is now time for you to take your last real vacation, for the next two years. Enjoy it, and don't stress the review. You will learn what you need to learn in school.

If you absolutely must read something, find a copy of Ether Day.

Craig

I agree, take a vacation!!

Okay, the vacation/relaxation vibe is coming through loud & clear. Was anyone surprised - pleasantly or unpleasantly by anything after they started in their program?

PS. I took a prophylactic vacation this winter = 8 week snowboarding safari...........

I was surprised that the course load was busy but manageable. I prepared my family beforehand on not seeing me for the next couple years, but the work is not completely overwhelming.

I was also surprised at how cool anesthesia is. I had always been interested in it and knew I would like it, but it's quite a bit more fun than even I had anticipated.

I was disappointed a bit by the continued attempts to assert control by the ASA. It hardly affects the practice, but it's a drag to have such disputes on a political level.

However, I was just reflecting the other day how glad I was that I chosen to do this and after my marriage and children, it's probably the one of the best padecisions I have ever made.

Brenna's Dad,

Thank you for your post...I am so nervous about starting CRNA school this fall and how hard it will be on my husband and 5 year old son...it was really great to read such a positive post!!!

Brenna's Dad,

I vaguely remember you saying in the past that you are attending an intergrated program. The program I will be starting in the fall is also intergrated. I would have completed 18 of the university credits by the end of summer. Do you think the work load would be much lighter since I have taken the courses where you write papers forever. I guess I am trying to ascertain if people find the workload overwhelming because of the difficulty of the anesthesia courses, or because of the amount of classes they have to take, and having to write research proposals etc.

London88, I do not have any experience with front loaded programs, but it is my impression from what I've read here, that they are more intense.

As I reflect on this, it makes sense to me. After all, they have to cram all their theory into a year or so, whereas in an integreated program they have more time to fill your head.

I don't think that it's the theory that most people find difficult, but the degree of workload. (After all, I think the majority of people accepted into CRNA programs have been successful with school in the past.) In an integrated program, the difficulty is balancing the demands of clinical with the demands of the didactic portion.

However, I still think it is a bonus to be able to learn it in class and then go to the clincal arena to practice it. This can't help but consolidate your knowledge. For example, during our airway classes, were going into the clinical setting to practice intubations. This has obvious benefits.

You have done the right thing in getting credits out of the way before starting school.

I'm writing this post 250 miles away from my wife and son while I attend anesthesia school. That is the hardest part, bar none. Otherwise, the experience so far is concurrent with what Brenna's Dad has shared. I am in a front loaded program that is as intense as I thought it would be, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am enjoying acadamia, minus the tests. My advice would be to spend time with family, watch movies, read a book that has nothing to do with anesthesia, and subtly get your ducks in a row. I wish all perspective and current students the best in their endevours.

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