Dealing with non-believers!

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Specializes in Neurosurgical ICU.

I have a question for those who have gone through CRNA school or are currently doing so: How do you convey to the 'non-believers' the amount of studying you have to do in the program?

I am anticipating admission to a CRNA program this fall and will be relying on family to help me financially in order to incur the least amount of debt possible. I originally planned on moving back in with my parents in order to save on room and board, but I'm starting to doubt my decision. :uhoh3:

The reason I'm doubting my decision is because my family is severely underestimating the amount of time I will have to dedicate to studying and clinicals. My dad commonly says things like "It's not THAT bad," "Surely they're all exaggerating," "It's the same stuff you've already studied, maybe with a little more emphasis on drugs." :eek:

I have tried to explain the rigors of the program dozens of times to do them, but they just can't or won't get it. They're under the impression that I will be able to work part-time in the program and I will have free time here and there. I guess it's because my father got his MBA going to night school and worked during the day, so he has a preconceived notion that if he was able to do it that way anyone can.

But unfortunately as you all know, the programs are not exactly set up as work friendly, even if it were just a few per diem shifts per month.

Any suggestions? :confused: I'm getting a little impatient with them!

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

Get some of your anesthesia books and show them everything you are going to have to study.

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Let him know that sometimes schools expressly forbid you to work and actually have you sign something to that effect I'm just completing my 1st semester and already 2-3 people may be let go after finals next week due to poor grades (who thought they could do it while working).

As far as working full time while attending an MBA program, I have an MBA from a top 3 school....impossible to work AT ALL at that level!

When your family sees how hard you are studying...when you'r "locked away", then they'll realize.

Good luck!

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Specializes in PICU.

I'm in the same boat you're in. I am going to start Anesthhesia School in a little less than 4 weeks. I am going "casual" in two weeks. My in-laws, who we are staying with to cut down on finances, were telling me there's no reason I can't work a double every Saturday and study all day on Sunday. Are you frickin kidding me? I keep telling them how much I am going to be responsible for learning, and I think the problem is is that 7 years ago when my wife's cousin went through the same program I am about to start, he worked casual and was the apartment builing manager for his complex while he was in school. He said, "it wasn't that bad," and that has stuck with them. He's single, I'm not, he didn't have kids, I have two. So I hear what you're saying, but bottom line is is that we are going to be responsible for learning a ton of information, sure we have probably heard of the terminology, but we have to learn a high volume of content it in a short amount of time. I have a responsibility for my future patients to learn how to be the best CRNA I can be, and that's it. Good luck to you in your future CRNA program.

seansanf120

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For those that are going to work, full time, part time or casual ....PLEASE READ THIS and have your parents or family members PLEASE READ THIS as well.

I have my finals next week (I'm almost done with my 1st semester at Columbia University's CRNA program that started at the beginning of the summer.)

There are some in the program that are working full time and part time. Although some are doing alright, there are definitely a few who will be OUT of the program by the end of next week for getting F's and some who will be on ACADEMIC PROBATION after their FIRST semester.

Even those that are working and passing, I can guarantee that ALL of the material and connections have not "sunk in" and they are FRAZZLED!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why would you start a program that is so hard to get into and then jeopardize it? The people that will be OUT of the program by the end of next week all said the exact same thing: "I thought I could handle it? I didn't realize this or that?" No disrespect but....are you kidding me?

So now out THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, some of these people will be eligible to come back and some of them will not. How foolish and what a complete and total waste of time and money!

Many of my classmates also have children. We have TA review sessions for advanced physiology and one of my colleagues who is in SERIOUS jeopardy of not being here next week (who has also worked) said she could not go to a very important review session because she could not get a baby sitter.

While that may be true...why would someone even bother starting such a program if they didn't have the resources AND TIME to put into it to be successful. This is not an easy program and requires not 80% but a 100% commitment. Yes there is some time here and there for personal stuff but ANY time I am not studying, I feel so guilty! (like right now!)

So to all who think they can work and do this ...."if they just work really hard"...think about it long and hard...and picture yourselves with tears in your eyes in the program director's office after your first round of finals wondering to your selves...."how did this happen to me?"

That's the EXACT scenario that will occur for at least 2 people next week. For at least 4 or 5 others (who are not even working)...they will be in that same office and won't be crying AS MUCH because they will ONLY be on ACADEMIC PROBATION.

So now they have the ADDITIONAL stress of having their backs up against the wall and have to do significantly better to achieve a combined B average after their 2nd (and HARDER) semester. So i guess their dismissal conversation won't occur until just before christmas, after they've wasted not 1 but 2 semesters in time and money.

For me, we have a month off or so after finals. I'm going to take a week off and work like a dog for 3 weeks and then depending on how the next semester is, MAYBE work 1 or 2 days a MONTH....but maybe not...it depends on the next semester.

Please note there is NO working during clinicals (next May for us)!

Good luck!

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Specializes in Nurse Anesthesia, ICU, ED.

I am in the 3rd semester of a front loaded program, this summer we were is class for 6 credit hours and in clinical 2 days a week. In the program I am in we track the amount of committed time we devote to the program:

On top of the studying time, there are weekly anesthesia department conferences which are held early morning prior to many OR start times.

The amount of time spent assessing patients (in- and outpatient, pre- and post surgical); OR room set up time (yes, I have to wake up about 0430 for a 0730 start time d/t commute, room set up and putting eyes and hands on the patient before taking them back to the OR room).

There is also time devoted to making care plans; this can account for about 1.5+ hrs/case depending on many variables.

Class time has taken up ~330 hrs this summer alone and then there is the commute back and forth (TRAFFIC).

STUDY TIME has accounted for ~870hrs during the summer ALONE.

My personal situation is that I am married without children, but spending time with family and spending time on yourself is important also. (This time we dont track, but I can say that more of my time goes towards school than anything else; my wife is a lawyer and understands the rigors of a professional graduate program. Good communication skills and maximizing our time together helps.)

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