Deciding whether to drop out CRNA school?

Specialties CRNA

Published

Hi,

I am looking for some friendly advice. I have the worst time with clinicals lately, being that we are a program that gets thrown in head first after 2 months of class. I thought it would be better in the local area, but this is my 3rd rotation, and have been grabbed, yelled at, and basically insulted every day that I am in clinical. Did anyone else please have a happy-ending story to this effect about when you were struggling through CRNA school that you will give me some hope.

I am so depressing--crying every day that I am not sure it is for me--I think I would love the giving anesthesia part, but this mental torture is what is driving me crazy--I am going for antidepressants tomorrow.

Please help!!

Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Having a military background I didn't think it was that bad. You have to realize that everyone that precepts you wants you to be the best because you may one day put them to sleep. If you really want to be a CRNA you can endure the torture. I was told by a very close CRNA friend before I went to school that the reason we get paid so well is because we have to crawl thru hell to get there. It gets better as you move up the food chain and I can assure the benefits at the end are well worth whatever you have to endure. Although I wouldn't put up with the being grabbed if I were you because there is no reason to put up with sexual harrasment or sexual intimidation no matter what the job, it should be reported. Hang in there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I feel your pain, but my best advice is to stick with it, no matter what, and don't even consider antidepressants or withdrawing from your program! This is definitely NOT the best way how to deal with relatively small problems like that. Imagine war, imagine real suffering others have to go through every day outside of your little world. Compared to that, you are just another priviledged whiner, at best...

We all went through similar experiences - unfortunately, most CRNAs, unlike MDs, seem to enjoy eating their young. It is a shame, for several reasons, but right now they are your preceptors and you are a student. Get used to it, it will get better... Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice Volunteer.
I feel your pain, but my best advice is to stick with it, no matter what, and don't even consider antidepressants or withdrawing from your program! This is definitely NOT the best way how to deal with relatively small problems like that. Imagine war, imagine real suffering others have to go through every day outside of your little world. Compared to that, you are just another priviledged whiner, at best...

We all went through similar experiences - unfortunately, most CRNAs, unlike MDs, seem to enjoy eating their young. It is a shame, for several reasons, but right now they are your preceptors and you are a student. Get used to it, it will get better... Good luck!

Um...I just wanted to express my worry that the OP is being minimized here. Blanka, I feel like you are trying to say you empathize, but then it seems like what follows minimizes the OP's experiences. I like seeing everyone here support each other, and I hope we can reach out in genuinely helpful ways to do that.

Micugirl, I don't have a happy ending story for you from there because I have never been 'there'. But, Anxiety can really tweak your emotions, confidence, and perception. Have you tried sticking to a routine of cardio excercise, sometimes that really empowers you and melts that stress away.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I had a short rotation in a place I absolutely hated, I realized that I did become a little depressed during that time. Keep your head up, I think antidepressants might actually be a good idea. There are many people on antihypertensives, antireflux, and antidepressants during school that weren't on them before. Don't give up, go in everyday and try your hardest, just tell the CRNA that this is what you want to do and ask them to help you become better. Don't get upset in front of them, just be very pursuant in the fact that you want to do this. They will see your effort. You will have ups and downs during school, some where you think you're terrible and stupid and everyone must think of you like that, but it's not true. You also have to understand that you are new, and first years need a lot of direction, just try to build on what you are doing everyday.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

MICUGIRL...I am not in school yet but soon will be...is there anyway you could talk to your prgram director about a specific person that is treating you badly....maybe they don't need to be a preceptor or maybe the director could give you suggestions on how to deal....just a suggestion!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do not believe that the best thing I can do for Micugirl is to smother her with endless empathy, she has a work to do ahead of her! Describing her situation in a broader perspective and expecting her to face it directly, without antidepressants, etc. is the best form of support I can provide...

On the other hand, your last two sentences contain some good insight and advice, stick with that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I do not believe that the best thing I can do for Micugirl is to smother her with endless empathy, she has a work to do ahead of her! Describing her situation in a broader perspective and expecting her to face it directly, without antidepressants, etc. is the best form of support I can provide...

On the other hand, your last two sentences contain some good insight and advice, stick with that!

This was for you, piscesguy...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you everyone for your advice, and I am going to go in ths weekend (reluctantly) & see if anything changes. I just feel like I'm facing my own death everyday, and my Vital Signs & emotions go with that feeling. I cannot smother those either, Blanka. It's more not knowing what the heck to get in the room for which cases, and not having many Peds or any OB cases. This is my 3rd rotation, and soon there will come a time when it is expected for me to have had those cases, and be able to go it alone. I'll have call by myself coming this May, and I'm sure it will be OB ...well, I don't want to just be learning about it then. That is not fair to the pt. I guess I have self doubt, and think that so many of the other students are just saying how they are doing all these great cases, and I would be scared to do them, period.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rural - we do it all!!!.

Hope you don't mind my two cents....I'm low on the totem pole, a new LVN, but from your post here's two things that jumped out at me:

As far as being put on the spot on clinicals...what is the cause?

Is it one person/preceptor?

What is it she/he is requesting?

Why is the info being requested?

If it is just one person's precepting style, you may just have to deal with it. But you may be able to creatively deal with it.

If you are being asked/demanded info....analyze how/what/why...and figure out what you can do to be better prepared.

Do you need to write out steps?

Reheorifice them out loud?

Review common side effects/meds?

Over and over and over again, so when you are confronted, the info just pops out, no matter the pressure being applied?

Secondly, I understand about your concerns about lacking experience in a particular patient population....

Make a laboring doll, or whatever else you need....as your practice patient at your house. Act out your steps, things you need to bring into the room, vitals, procedures. Again, over and over. Reheorifice, think about the anomalies, practice how you would deal with them...

I know it is NOT the same as a real patient, but if you could get the back bone of the procedure, then when you do have the opportunity to work with these patients...you'll have some thing to rely on...

Again, not being critical, and I don't know much of anything about your particular area of study, but I do know how to be PROACTIVE and to devise something that will help me be the best nurse I can be. If this doesn't work for you, what would? You know what areas are most troubling for you, devise a plan of attack, and go after them....

I'm guessing that there is not much room for mistakes in being a CRNA, and you'll be taxed to the max to be the best you can be for you and your patients.

Hope this helps....just trying to help....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

micugirl..go talk to your director and only your director. Explain your situation and your feelings. He can help. If you feel you can't go directly to him, can your senior mentor also give you some perspective and guidance?

Please try to stick with it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It will get better....If you're having trouble knowing how to set up the room for specific situations, you need to talk to your instructors or other students...being preparted is the most important part of being a CRNA...would your program put you on OB call as your first call?...that seems odd to me!....just try and be confident...really prepare for each clinical day and just do your best....you can do it, your instructors believed you could. That's why they admitted into the program...

Justin, CRNA

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment