CRNA cirriculum... how intense?

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Specializes in Hospice/med surg/MRDD/LTC.

I have returned to school for my BSN. After that I would like to go for CRNA. I know it is probably rough. Is it true that you cant work at all?!:( I cant be unemployed for 30 months. Has anyone attended Union University in Jackson, TN or UT College of Health Science?

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I'm not in CRNA school...yet. However, I just graduated from an ABSN program, and it was almost impossible to work during school. From what I understand, most CRNA programs are very intense, and working during school is out of the question...for most people (there are those who are born brilliant, make straight A's without much studying, and have retention like a steal bear trap....I am NOT one of those people.) However, there are tons of loans out there that can make going to school and not working much easier. There are lots of private loans available for those pursuing an advanced degree in the medical field, such as those pursuing MD, DO, CRNA, PA, etc. So, between everything the financial aid office of the school can provide (government loans, school loans, scholarships) and private loans, most people can attend school and pay all their bills too, and not have to work. There will plenty of time to work later ;)

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It's the hardest thing you'll ever do. And that's WITHOUT working. Figure out whether it's for you--shadow, shadow, shadow. If it is, find a way to do it without working--by saving up, by living frugally, by taking loans. It's not for everyone, and you have to REALLY want it to make the inordinate sacrifices required to get through school.

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Specializes in Trauma ER and ICU...SRNA now.

It's definitely as hard as anything else I have ever done. I was one of those students who didn't study for my undergrad courses, but that is for sure not true now. I study every single day. There is no way I could work, not even a little bit.

I agree with an earlier poster, shadow and decide if it's what you want and if you are willing to sacrifice to get it. It's definitely a sacrifice, but worth it at the end.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.

loans will be your best friend. those of you concerned about being in debt, well, it just happens 99.9% of the time to SRNAs. your debt to income ratio will work out fine. as for working during school, it has been done, but don't do yourself the disservice. many people work incredibly hard to make a B grade, and that's the lowest grade needed to stay in a program. so, consider going to anesthesia school a big and major commitment, because it is.

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Tell me more. I see your user name is srnamom. can you be a mom and go to school???

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Specializes in ICU.

Great and relevant concern. Yeah I've been told that CRNA see bookoos of money thrown their way in sign on bonuses when they get done. What have you heard about the schools in TN?! I work in Tulsa in an ICU but I am looking at CRNA schools in TN.

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can you be a mom and go to school???

yes.... sort of. Anesthesia school requires a time/energy commitment beyond anything you've ever done before. Add a family to that, and it means you have to be super-committed, super-organized, have a great support system and be willing to sacrifice family time along with other things. Every program is different. Find students with families in the programs you plan to apply to, and find out what life is really like for them and how they get through it.

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I have returned to school for my BSN. After that I would like to go for CRNA. I know it is probably rough. Is it true that you cant work at all?!:( I cant be unemployed for 30 months. Has anyone attended Union University in Jackson, TN or UT College of Health Science?

If you cannot afford to be out of work for 30 months then do not even consider Union.

Since you are only working on your BSN now, why not start saving?

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