CRNA is what I want BUT.......

MB37 · Aug 29, 2008

Can you look up the class schedules of any of these schools within 2 hours? Or ask anyone who attends them, either in person or online? I've heard many SRNAs on allnurses state that they don't have class/clinical 5 days a week. The apartment closer to school idea might make more sense if you weren't staying for a whole week every time. Maybe you could split something with another student, and just crash when needed? Let's say (front-loaded) that classes are 8-2 M-Th. You could perhaps sleep where school is on Mondays and Wednesdays, and drive home Tues and Thurs after class. You could stay over when you have an exam or early clinical, but try to come home more often than not. Even look into cheap hotel options in the area, if there are any - you don't need cable, just a bed and light to study. It would cut the commute in half, and you'd see a little more of your family. I know it's also a crappy time to sell a house, but I suppose that's the other option - move somewhere that the commute would be 45 min for both you and your husband. In any case, I would concentrate especially on the CT schools if they're the closest, see if you can find out what the typical day to day schedule is for the entire program, and try to find a creative solution. Talk to your husband and your kids, see how they feel about everything. I'm lucky, there are two programs in the city I live in, and my grades are good enough I should be able to get into at least one once I actually apply. I hope you can figure out a way to do it, you may just be disappointed if you don't.

vikingirl · Aug 30, 2008

The commute or family hardships will only last about 27 months. You don't have to make a solid decision at this point. Throw yourself out there, apply, and see what happens -- see where you land! Of course follow your dream. You'll kick yourself if you don't try. Apply to the programs that you have listed, see where you get in and then figure out the how your family can make ends meet. You'll need lots of family support since you'll be engrossed in CRNA school for 2 years, however, if it's truly your dream to be a nurse anesthetist and your family supports you, you can make it happen. You have to want it bad enough. If CRNA is not your passion, the NP route can be a satifying profession as well -- only you know. Shadow someone from both and follow your heart - you'll make the right decision. Good luck!

CRNA2007 · Aug 30, 2008

Everything great in life requires sacrifice. If you want it bad enough you will find a way to make it happen.

ok, So if I could choose any path to take in nursing it would be CRNA. I would be darn good at it too. I have no doubts that this is what I want to do with my career. BUt my career is not going to be my life. There is my confusion. I have two wonderful boys aged 2 and 8 and a great husband. We live in Western MA and there are not any CRNA schools near us. You have Northeastern and Boston College (both 2 hrs away if I am lucky to not hit any traffic on the highway) There are 2 schools in RI which are just as far plus the clinical work is in MA, CT, and RI so I would have to pay to be licensed in all 3 states. Then there is CT, New Britian and New Haven are about an hour and a half at least away. We bought a beautiful house 3 years ago and my husband is currently the bread winner of our family while I am in school. It sounds so easy to say to just move closer when I find out which school I will attend. My parents moved me around as a child and it was so hard, I am worried about the affect on my kids. I can't see traveling 3+ hours a day on top of the demanding schedule of school or getting my own place near school and just seeing them on the weekends because my kids need a mom too (and my husband needs a wife AND I need him). My husband has had the same employer for 12 years and worked his way to a six figure salary - He would most likely take a 40,000 pay cut to take employment elsewhere. PLUS he likes his job. He loves me and want to support me but I feel like it is a lot to ask. I do not want to resent him or my choice if I chose to go the NP route - which there are many programs in my area. At the same time I don't want him to resent me for uprouting the family. I would love to hear anyone elses experiences on the road to their "dream job", maybe that will help me. I also just want to clarify, I am sure that being an NP will make me happy too - I would never chose a career that could not make me happy. You need to enjoy your job. Maybe in the next two years they will build a state of the art CRNA school in Western MA, but I don't think I should hold my breath! Thanks!!!! Enjoy the Holiday Week End:D

manursing · Aug 30, 2008

The commute or family hardships will only last about 27 months. You don't have to make a solid decision at this point. Throw yourself out there, apply, and see what happens -- see where you land! Of course follow your dream. You'll kick yourself if you don't try. Apply to the programs that you have listed, see where you get in and then figure out the how your family can make ends meet. You'll need lots of family support since you'll be engrossed in CRNA school for 2 years, however, if it's truly your dream to be a nurse anesthetist and your family supports you, you can make it happen. You have to want it bad enough. If CRNA is not your passion, the NP route can be a satifying profession as well -- only you know. Shadow someone from both and follow your heart - you'll make the right decision. Good luck!

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I have shadowd a CRNA and a FNP. With the FNP, I liked that you do have the ability to form bonds with your patients and at least in this case you could choose your own hours, etc. I just didn't feel "at home" per se, maybe ACNP would be different. I certainly liked enough about the job and all the different routes I could take to personally satisfy me, like volunteer opportunities, that I would be happy - if I can't make CRNA work for my family right now. It is just so exciting to really know what you want - and I would SO regret not at least applying, like you said.

I was talking to my sister today and she even suggested I look into school in NY (she lives on LI) Columbia and a few other school are within 45 minutes of her ( I actually know nothing YET about CRNA schools in NY). She has an inlaw apt and said I could stay there and enroll the kids in school in her town for the 2+ years. I could drive home on the weekends to see my husband or vice versa. I have not even brought this up to him yet and am not so sure that is a fair alternative to him either - taking the kids with me. BUT it would allow him to keep his job while I am in school, we would not have to sell our house, the kids would be uprooted temporarily but still be around family they know. It is a definite possibility and maybe one that I don't even need to discuss with my husband unless it becomes a real choice. I really do not think Boston is a real choice for me because I do not want to comute and the cost of living is so high so I think maybe I will apply to a CT school and one or two in NY (after I check out their rep) Anyway, now that I have practically written a book here, thanks again for your pep talk, I do want to follow my dream and I know I should not feel selfish for doing so as long as I communicate that dream with my husband that is and he is on board!

CCRN-CMC-CSC · Aug 31, 2008

I have wanted to be a CRNA for many years. Previously the closest program was 120 mile away and would have required moving, uprooting family, etc. So I did not pursue CRNA at that time. Finally they opened a program 73 miles from me (still a long commute no doubt) and I jumped on it. Yesterday as I was driving home from my long commute I was tired but at least its "do-able". You have to decide how much your family can manage and how much you can manage. More opportunities will come if you cant do it today.

trixietl · Sep 3, 2008

You could always wait til your kids are grown. That's what I did. I have been a single parent since my daughter was two and chose to raise her first, then do for myself. She just graduated high school and joined the Army, as did I. It's my time now! and I have no regrets for waiting. I probably would have regrets if I didn't wait. Just a thought:D

boynurse2 · Sep 5, 2008

I waited 10yrs before starting school this Summer. I have classmates form age 23 to 52. Yeah, I wish I was a CRNA by age 25 but that wasn't right timing for me apparently ( God's timing is perfect!). I uprooted my family with 4 kids ages 3-8 about 400+ miles from home. My wife and I had built a beautiful dream home we contracted out as the builder and laborers too. I'm talking 7000sqft under roof,4000sqft finished. My wife is a lpn nurse but she cannot work right now because of the huge transition. I am renting my house out with a loss and using the large equity as a loan source in addition to maxing out all available student loans. My loan debt will be around 200K when all is said and done. I don't worry about since I will have the opportunity to pay it off easily after school.

My wife has always known about my desire to go to a good school. (Did I mention I bypassed the school in my home town?) She is aware of the large load and stress that is custom to all anesthesia schools. She has been told by many " it's like you will be a single parent". However, she is also aware of the lifestyle payback it will afford us to actually pay off that house and pay the expenses of 4 kids, more time off etc.

I am on my way and could not be happier. I also have some classmates that have made some tough choices like commuting home on weekends so their families would not be uprooted and seem to be doing well. Several have a NP. You have lots of choices and none will be easy..nothing is. Hope this helps. Good luck.