Commute to CRNA school.... is it reasonable?

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Specializes in OR, ICU.

Hi. I was wondering if I could get any thoughts from those of you who are SNRAs or CRNAs. I have 2 yrs Or experience and 2 1/2 yrs ICU experience. I worked closley with 3 fantastic CRNAs during my OR employment. They are the reason I switched to ICU to gain experience for CRNA school:)

I will be completing my BSN next May, and I think this is the appropriate time to start looking at my options. The closest program to me is almost a 2 hr commute. There is no possiblity of relocating as I am married (husband's job is main factor) with children. Is it reasonable to commute that far with the time commitments of this program? I guess I could commute by train and get some study time in then:confused:

My other option is FNP program located in my town but I just can't get excited about that like I do when I think about becoming a CRNA!

Anybody been there done that? I'd love to hear from you!!!

Thanks

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Realistically no. On days when you need to be set up and ready to or in the OR for your 7am case and the weather doesn't cooperate you will be leaving the house prior to 4am and if you day runs long past 5pm plus commuting time??? You will burn out long before the program ends- sorry but you really wan to do this you will need a different plan!

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I am not yet a SRNA, but I assume from reading the boards that 4 hours of travel time would be too much. You might look into doing what my mom did when getting her MSM (at a school about 2 hours from home); rent a cheap apartment and go home a couple of weekends per month. The 2.5 years will fly by.

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Specializes in icu/er.

i could very well see myself ending up in a ditch somewhere between school and home from falling asleep. 4hrs commute everyday plus the physical and mental rigors of school all day would be brutal for me.

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Specializes in OR, ICU.

Thanks for your thoughts on this. I'm bummed, but I needed to hear it I guess. My husband still thinks the train might be an option. At least I could study during the commute. I need regroup and figure out what to do. I mentioned renting or staying in graduate housing on campus (if/when I get accepted) during the week but can't figure that would work with mortgage on the house ect. Anybody have any experience there?

Thanks everybody. I have learned a ton from reading old message boards!

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Specializes in icu/er.

i have not went through a crna program though i'm prepping myself to do the interview trail this or next yr. i can tell you that i would certainly look into staying as close to the program as i could. sure it might be alittle hassle finding a nice safe place "on the cheap"that is very local to the school or clinical hospital. but the time factor you would save by the end of each wk would be huge. it would allow you to spend many more hrs each day dedicating yourself to studies and would allow yourself to actually enjoy some weekend time with family instead of having to make up for lost studying time you spent in commute. plus the stress of trying to get to clinicals on time from a 2-3 hrs drive would wear me to a frazzle each day. i figure you have worked hard to place yourself in a position to get into a program, it would be a shame to fail or drop out cause of a logistical issue. good luck.

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