Young but ambitious

[preCRNA]

I have noticed that a lot of people getting into CRNA school lately are older, in their 30's, 40's, and up. I think that is the way its supposed to be, because they are really experienced and are on the top of their game.

So then there's me--a 24 year old guy that has about a year and a half in the ICU and has accomplished all of the requirements (or will by the time I apply).

---My question is, how do the entrance committees feel about young people like me applying already? Especially when compared to the older applicants? Will this be a hindrance to my getting in?

[NCgirl]

I say go for it, they'll teach you everything they need you to know. One more year is not going to make or break you. Good luck!

[SRNAVic]

I personally think that a younger applicant has an advantage over the older applicant. Firstly, a younger applicant will be in the workforce longer thus that practitioner will not have to be replaced in a short amount of time. This allays the need to train more practitioners, which we already know are in short supply. Secondly, since that younger practitioner will be in the workforce longer, they'll probably have more of a vested interest in protecting their profession and become more involved with their state and national organizing body. We know that this second point is extremely important in protecting our profession. Thirdly, a younger person is more apt to not let the powers that be ("the MAN") interfere with their best interests. I've seen this numerous times in my practice as an ICU nurse. There was a situation where our boss (the MAN) attempted to make me take more patients than I safely could handle. I saw many other nurses, most of them much older than I, succumb to these strong-arm activities of our boss and take on too many patients for one RN too handle--and put his/her license in jeopardy. When I told my boss I would not take the unsafe assignment, nobody seemed to back me up in front of her. Later in the night, though, I had 20- and 30-year veteran nurses telling me "thank you, it's about time someone stuck up for us". Why didn't they stick up for themselves? Maybe I'd think the same if I was about to retire, I'm not really sure. I just personally think that a younger person is more apt to not be afraid of the powers that be and fight for their rights. Lastly, younger people seemingly have a higher energy level and are without many family commitments (i.e. children) making it easier for them to complete and excel in the classroom and clinical environment. They also are more recent graduates making their study skills less rusty and more contemporary. On the other hand, older applicants have many advantages over younger applicants as well. For example, the wisdom that comes not only with extended clinical experience but also with life in general is a huge advantage and younger applicants do not have a vast amount of wisdom by definition. Further, older applicants tend to have the resources ($$$) available to complete school without much financial burden. Other factors, of course, exist but I think these are some of the main points. Overall, I think that it is to the school's (and the profession's) advantage to admit younger applicants for the above reasons.

In no way am I trying to offend my older classmates and colleagues--I'm just trying to put my 2-cents in...thanks for hearing me out!!!

Vic