CRNA school difficult?

It was the single most difficult thing I've ever done in my life. Compared to my CRNA program, the BSN program I attended was a cakewalk. I spent 14 years in the military, and went to the language school to learn Russian. Next to my CRNA program, the Russian language course was a day in the park.

Kevin McHugh

Kevin,

Exactly what part of CRNA school was hard? The classes, tests, papers, organization, clinicals, etc..... Or is everything hard? I'm anxious to know and want to be prepared because I start my program Sept. 1. thanks

i'm obviously not kevin but that's about right. each thing is not that hard, it's doing them all at once that's hard.

d

Volume of material and the advance level of the material. Most of your anesthesia textbooks are written by MDs and are the same ones the anesthesia residents use. However, they have had four years of med school before getting to their resident training. As a SRNA you will have plenty of advance pharm and physiology, but will not have the extensive basic science background that the residents have had while in med school. Therefore, you probably find learning this volume of material very hard as most of us do.

It was the single most difficult thing I've ever done in my life. Compared to my CRNA program, the BSN program I attended was a cakewalk. I spent 14 years in the military, and went to the language school to learn Russian. Next to my CRNA program, the Russian language course was a day in the park.

Kevin McHugh

My sister was a Russian Linguist in the Air Force and my Brother-in-Law currently is one as well, although they cross-trained him into Serbo-Croatian a couple of years back.

I remember her having ALL SORTS of stress during school for that.

I just wanted to add that what takes the cake for me (in fourth semester) is doing all listed above while completely EXHAUSTED. And no I don't have mono, I just feel like I do nothing but go to the OR, and case plans.

I just run out of time. You have to decide what to sacrifice - sleep, family time, stare-at-the-wall time. After a full day of clinical that stretches 10-12+ hours, plus care plans for the next day, plus classes, there is not much time or grey matter for much else by the end of the week.

I am by no means an expert as a junior student, but it is not "hard". Time consuming, all encompassing and life dominating yes, but not hard. If you have the right attitude and an open mind it is not even a sacrifice. This is something that you dedicate yourself to. If I wasn't in anes school, I am not sure what I would be doing. There is no alternative. If you are honestly dedicated, you do not see this as a hardship. All of my hobbies are on hold.

In reality... If you had a tough time grasping physics and chemistry, you may be trouble. In my program they pretty much assume you are well associated with moderately complex ideas. Time is spent on advanced applications.

And to add alittle credibility to my account, I have 3 kids, 7 weeks, 3 and 6 years. I also work part time in the sicu (for alittle while anyway) :)

Laughing Gas....What school are you attending in Ohio? I too live in Ohio for the time being and would love to know what program your attending here as this may be a permanent move for us in the future. I, of course, have a long way to go to get there but hey, just nice to know my options for good programs in the future :)

Good luck and boy do you have your hands full...I have a 4 and 3 yr old!

Laughinggas, I really appreciate what you said about CRNA school. You are an inspiration to be able to juggle 3 small kids, work and CRNA school. Does your husband work? Who helps you with the kids? How many hours a week do you spend with school/clinicals/study? Thanks so much!

Thanks FLCRNA.

I am the husband! Yes my wife does work a weekend incentive position in the NICU. Finances are in a slow downward spiral. The goal is to make sure you graduate before you run out of funding. :)

Study time is difficult to estimate. I usually have some kind of book in front of me. The school work is not that time consuming. The independent portion of what you need to become minimally proficient is what is time consuming. There is a rude suprise if you think what they teach in class is all you need.

We have grandparents always willing to help out with the kids. The time away from them is the toughest part.