Did the horror stories make your doubt yourself?

[Jo Dirt]

We all hear about how hard it is to even get into a CRNA program, that hundreds apply to any one program a year but only a few are chosen...some people apply year after year only to get turned down again and again... Did hearing all this make you seriously doubt you had what it took to get in?

It may seem like I have a lot of nerve asking this question because I'm not even finished with a BSN yet (2 more semesters) and even though I'm an ASN I've never worked in a hospital.

I'm doing a lot of soul searching (maybe too much) because I feel so stagnant in my current job I don't feel like I can stand it sometimes. The work is drudgery and so unfulfilling (floor nurse in a nursing home)...anyway, rather than whine about it I want to be proactive. I've decided I want to go to school either for a nurse practitioner or anesthetist. I feel pretty confident I could find a spot in a FNP program somewhere but hearing all the doom and gloom about nurse anesthesia school makes me feel like someone like me wouldn't stand a snowball's chance.

Funny, it makes me that much more interested in jumping in the alligator pit.

So...I tend to stew over things really hard, and some questions have been burning on my mind. If someone could humor me I would greatly appreciate it.

1.) If you start working in an ICU while you are an associate degree RN, will that time count toward your mandatory year in critical care?

2.) This may have been covered before, but from what I understand, full-time graduate school doesn't really leave time for a job, but I hate debt. I hate debt really bad. I also understand that it might be necessary to utilize the home equity. How much (ballpark figure) debt will I need to expect to take out to fund my education and support a family of 6 (2 adults, 4 children)?

If I apply to a school and don't even get a call back, at least I will know. Maybe it isn't even something I should focus on right now, since it would probably be a good year and a half before I would apply anywhere. I just know I'm very discontented with where I am now and can't go on like this indefinitely.

[tonyccrn]

yes, hearing about how difficult it is to get in to CRNA school, I had a small question in the back of my head, im sure many people do. its not that you do not have confidence in yourself. its the feeling that sometimes its the luck of the draw if you get the call for an interview. many of the people who apply have similar backgrounds, qualifications, and statistics.

second, I would like to commend you, as a floor nurse in a nursing home, I myself could not do that, and that takes a special person. and having the attitude of being proactive and doing the things needed to achieve your goals instead of complaining about them is the right attitude for purseing anesthesia school.

yes working in the icu will immediately go towards your 1-2 years experience that is needed (some schools require two). as far as working and money, well there lies the problem, you will not be able to work, and it is not worth it to even try while in CRNA school. money thats another tough one too, you will have school loans, and as far as figuring out what you need. see what you spend monthly, times that by the lenght of the program you want to attend and then add a little extra on to that not much you can do unless you look into stipends, the army ect....

it can be done, my goal to go to CRNA school started before nursing school, i worked, almost fulltime through nursing school, my work paid for most, got grants for the rest. immediately started saving money once I got my RN, started in the icu and went to school for my RN to BSN. by the time i was done i had lots of money saved up which will minimalize my loans. however, I am not married and I dont have any kids (or atleast any i know about:confused:), so obvisouly that would have changed things.

anyways, sorry long post and good luck.

tony.

[ICUDOUCME?]

Motorcycle mama,

1.) If you start working in an ICU while you are an associate degree RN, will that time count toward your mandatory year in critical care?

In a word, yes. Any time as an RN in critical care counts.

2.) This may have been covered before, but from what I understand, full-time graduate school doesn't really leave time for a job, but I hate debt. I hate debt really bad. I also understand that it might be necessary to utilize the home equity. How much (ballpark figure) debt will I need to expect to take out to fund my education and support a family of 6 (2 adults, 4 children)?

Depending on the program, some students have worked part time during the didactic portion. It's very difficult if not impossible to work during the clinical portion. If its an integrated program, then you will be in class part time and clinical part time...very hard to work. Pick you program wisely. Go to one that is in your state or one that is less expensive. Can your Sig other work? Home equity is a good option if you have any equity left after the gutting of the housing market. Debt is only as bad as your ability to pay it off...and you will be able to pay it off. Don't know a ballpark figure. There are plenty of threads about money on here. Do a search.

Now, as to your self doubt...I had to prove to myself that I could do this. I really didn't think I had what it took. I didn't believe it until about 6 months ago...and I am almost through school! You just have to say to yourself that people do this job. Normally intelligent people learn this career and do it every day. If you are capable of getting good grades (A's mostly) in your science classes in college, then you can do this. Every step is a leap of faith. But you are young. What else are you going to do? I was 46 when I started anesthesia school. I have not taken my eyes off the goal even though I doubted myself the whole way.

Make a plan, get into an ICU of some kind if you can (NOW) and get your BSN (while working) with as good a GPA as possible. Kick butt at work, throw yourself into the critical care mindset and learn as much as you can. Do really well on the GRE (study your butt off! buy prep books...read them, do the practice tests). Get good letters of rec...charge nurses, docs, nursing manager. Then, when all your ducks are in a row, apply, apply, apply! You can do it if you are willing to put in the effort and not let doubt stop you.

Good luck.