Contemplating CRNA

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Hello. I am scheduled to graduate this coming May with my BSN. I've thought about becoming a CRNA later on down the road, maybe in my mid to late 30's. My question is how did you survive going to school without working for 2 years or so?

Any feed back would be appreciated!

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Specializes in CRNA.

savings, student loans, spouse has two jobs.

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Specializes in CRNA, CCRN- Surgical/Cardiothoracic ICU.

Try to save as much money as you can first. Unfortunately, I didn't save a whole lot. Grad school loans are usually sufficient enough to get you thru the program. My husband works and has a decent income, but we still lived as though I was working as an RN with my student loans. I also went to a program that provided me with a monthy stipend (a little over $800/month after taxes) so this was a little bit of help for some bills. As scary as it seems, it just ends up working out in the end somehow. Believe me. Once you are done with school and working, loans can be paid off quickly as long as you don't live above your means.

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Specializes in ICU.

Loans. Lots and lots of loans.

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Specializes in ICU, transport, CRNA.

I graduated almost three years ago. I barrowed a little over $100K to support myself for the 27 months of NA school. My school was paid for so I just had to support myself.

I have two payments left on the money I barrowed. It's a good investment.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Thank you all for your input! I plan on shadowing some CRNA's before making a decision, but it wont be anytime soon. I would like to get some ICU experience first and then re-evaluate the situation (I'm talkin 4+ years of experience).

Did you need to take any other additional classes for the CRNA program or does it depend on the school? The ones I have looked at I couldnt find any, just a BSN and a gpa at 3.0 or above.

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Specializes in ICU, transport, CRNA.
Thank you all for your input! I plan on shadowing some CRNA's before making a decision, but it wont be anytime soon. I would like to get some ICU experience first and then re-evaluate the situation (I'm talkin 4+ years of experience).

Did you need to take any other additional classes for the CRNA program or does it depend on the school? The ones I have looked at I couldnt find any, just a BSN and a gpa at 3.0 or above.

ICU experience is mandatory for CRNA.

My school required basic chemistry within 5 years. I took it at a local community college. I also STRONGLY recommend you take a basic physics class. I struggled with it and almost didn't make it through.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Alrighty. I suppose this is a question to ask when it comes closer to application time haha (Just because by that point my chem classes will be outdated). I took physics for my first degree. It all depends on the professor. First teacher I had for physics was horrendous and really had no business teaching it. The second physics class (second in a series of three, not a repeat) I almost pulled an A mainly because of the professor.

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