about doubts

A clarification:

My post was not - in any way - meant to be discouraging. That is not my intention!

I hope everyone who truly wants to be a CRNA has the drive, intellect, and opportunity to achieve this goal. I am working harder than I ever have, and it is difficult, but it is worth the effort. Anesthesia is fantastic.

Did I (and most of my classmates) find undergraduate nursing easy? Yes - and especially so when compared to anesthesia school.

Are their geniuses in my program? Yes, more than a few.

Will students with average intellect succeed in anesthesia school? Absolutely yes - if they are willing to work very hard and make school their priority.

One of the clinical faculty mentioned that talent in academics does not necessarily translate into being an excellent CRNA. Often, the best practicing CRNAs are the ones that really had to work at it in school. Don't you know some straight-A classmates that you wouldn't let touch you?!

Having said that, my comments still stand. Back to studying!

Athlein, thank you for your honest replies and assessment regarding my questions posted earlier.

I agree with yours and Anthony's assessment that you don't have to be a genius to do this. My take on this pursuit after some consideration is that in the end it is hard work that usually determines whether one makes it or not.

My belief on the question of intelligence and talent is that most people on the whole are average (with some minor differences). There are people more intelligent or more talented then the average on the whole, but everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Things have a way of evening out in the end because of the intangibles. Most of the time it comes down to hard work, determination, and discipline which dictate where we end up at the end.

There are very few people in this world that have everything in one package, in any field. These people are rare in comparison to everyone else. The rest of us fall in the gray area somewhere and have to work hard to move up.

I agree that a person has to be realistic about themselves and their capabilities, circumstances, energy, etc., when pursuing a goal. Doubt is a normal occurrence for us being humans, and the important thing is not that we have doubt, but how do we handle the challenge they represent. I realize that CRNA education is very difficult (to say the least) and will require everything an SRNA has in order to complete the program, no matter how smart they are.

When the time comes, I will be ready to dedicate completely, or elevate myself to whatever level is necessary to finishing this journey I have started. What I have gotten from the post of you upper level classmen and CRNAs, is that this type of dedication, sacrifice, and commitment is the only way to succeed in this journey. I'm committed and failure is not an option(doubt or not). Take care, B.T.H

I am going for my BSN now and never been a nurse before ( don't have a knowledge which can help) , so I have to say that the program I am in - is not an easy one. I am not a genious, I don't get staight "A"s, but I can study and after 2-3 days of studying when you get a "C" for patho-pharm - you pretty much dissapointed...

What I realized was that you have to adjust to the type of questions during your clinical program. Pre clinicals were easy, I have to agree, but when I started my clinicals 2 semesters ago I could hardly pull an "A" because the questions on the tests were not about what you MEMORIZED but what you UNDERSTOOD! I have to completely switch the way I study!

Anyway, sometimes I think I am not good enough for CRNA school(especially when I got a "C") and sometimes I think that I need to study more ( English is my second language)

I love to read this site!!! I really appreciate all the postings and the info each one of you guys sharing!

szoozoo:

Don't get discouraged. Same here, English is my second language and I did it, working full time. The BSN wasn't difficult, just time consuming and a lot of busy work. I don't consider myself a genius eigher, but you know what,? I am very persistent with my goals. Focus, focus, focus. Overall, in my opinion it takes more that just intelligence to become a CRNA. From what I gather, discipline and persistence are two importants characteristics from people who suceed. I wasn't accepted the first time I applied to CRNA school, but I am not giving up. At the present time I am preparing myself for the GRE because this time I am applying to more than one school. The message is, it takes work and discipline to accomplish what we want, but is not impossible, even for us that aren't born knowing English. You can do it.

Thanks, NOPAIN! There are some days when I think I chose the wrong path... But just what you said, I have to be persistent.

And discipline myself not to think pessimisticly. By the way, where are you from? I am from Russia.

iliket3:

If it's any consolation, in ten years of practicing, I have NEVER met anyone, with outside family commitments or otherwise, that "breezed through" their primary nursing programs. The entire ordeal is stressful, and like you, I felt like blowing it all off and cuddling into an easy chair with my youngest who was a toddler at the time. I also had two older children (6yrs.&8yrs.).

One of my children has Down's Syndrome, so it was quite a challenge to get through nursing school with all the commitments of being a mother, wife, student, etc. Please, stick with it, I've never regretted my decision to do so. My career enriches me in ways my family life does not, the flexible hours and good income certainly enriches our ability as a family to enjoy my off hours.

Good Luck to you, I hope you do well, just don't be too hard on yourself--it doesn't matter if you are a "4.0" student, just a dedicated, safe practitioner.

Patty

I just have such high expectations of myself. I am a perfectionist (big surprise) and set unrealistic goals at times. The nursing content is easy yet I still struggle to get that glorious perfect score. I'll frame it when I do. :) And because I believe the content is not difficult, that in turn makes me think that only genius's go to grad school. Silly or what?

I have no intention of losing sight of my goal. I just get a little nervous at times. Thank you for the reassurance Scis.

I am learning so much about life and who I am through this journey. One of the most important things I've learned is balance. Balance keeps you centered.