Future SRNA's; Words of Encouragemnt

Published

I just wanted to wish good luck to those of you who have applied to CRNA school this year and are waiting to hear about an interview or an offer for admission. I am presently six months into my first year in CRNA school and I am taking a break from studying for an exam I have in the morning. I remember back a year ago when I was in the same place that many of you are in now. I had completed most of my applications and was waiting to see if I would get any interviews. I know this is a difficult time for you as you all have spent a great deal of time and effort to get this far. But it is well worth it and before you know it a year will have gone by and you will wonder where the time went to. DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED! Someone once told me that the biggest factor determining who gets into CRNA school is determination. Those who want it and are willing to work hard enough and long enough can eventually reach their goal. Remember that you have accomplished a great deal by getting this far and completing the requirements just in order to apply. Also do not get discouraged by the competition of those who apply. Keep in mind that although schools may give you statistics in terms of the number of applications they receive versus the number of students they accept, the odds may be better than you realize. Let me give you an example. Suppose a school tells you they get 10 applications for every position they have in class. If that school admits 10 students that is 100 applications for that school. Now suppose you decide to apply to 5 out of 5 schools with similar application numbers. That means that all five of these schools combined will accept a total of 50 students and combined these 5 schools would receive a total of 500 applications. This does not mean there are 500 different applicants. It could be any number between 100 or 500 applicants. Knowing that many students apply to more than one school, schools establish waiting lists to insure that their classes will be filled. Schools do not take less then their available slots. Since there could be as few as 100 applicants for these 50 slots, you could have a 50% chance of admission and not even know it. My point here is not to bore you with numbers. My point is that you do not know the total number of applicants each year applying to CRNA school. You may only know the total number of applications received by the programs you are applying to. You do not know how many total applicants this is. So your odds could be improved based upon the total number of applicants applying not total applications. So keep the faith! Good luck and I hope all goes well with each of you.

Hello Tom,

Your words or very encouraging and came at the right time for me. I'm trying to decide on whether to go to law school and drown in debt, or to become a CRNA. I've been an EMT now for 10 years. I'm 32 so the window has passed for me to chose jobs based on whether I think the occupation will make me happy. I need to be realistic and get a career going in the near future. I'm a junior in college and contemplating on getting my BSN and then CRNA. I have no kids and I still live at home. I need to start a career ASAP. I know becoming a CRNA wont be easy, but I'm thinking it may be more realistic in my situation. I'm scared of being 36, 100K in debit and finding a job as new lawyer making less than 60K. Also I saw how the computer field got saturated. Do see this happening to CRNAs?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello Tom,

Your words or very encouraging and came at the right time for me. I'm trying to decide on whether to go to law school and drown in debt, or to become a CRNA. I've been an EMT now for 10 years. I'm 32 so the window has passed for me to chose jobs based on whether I think the occupation will make me happy. I need to be realistic and get a career going in the near future. I'm a junior in college and contemplating on getting my BSN and then CRNA. I have no kids and I still live at home. I need to start a career ASAP. I know becoming a CRNA wont be easy, but I'm thinking it may be more realistic in my situation. I'm scared of being 36, 100K in debit and finding a job as new lawyer making less than 60K. Also I saw how the computer field got saturated. Do see this happening to CRNAs?

This career path will not be saturated for any foreseeable time.

Mike

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in SICU, Anesthesia.

30and confused,

At your age you have plenty of time to find a career that will make you happy. I spent over twenty years in a career that I really enjoyed, however I always had a desire to fulfill a dream I had when I was originally in college; to pursue a career in medicine. When I was in college the first time, over 30 years ago, I wanted to go to medical school. Things did not go as I had planned and I ended up going into the service and flew in the Navy. Later, I spent twenty enjoyable and fulfilling years in the restaurant business. After I sold my business I set out to find another career that would be fulfilling and give me stability for what would be my last career choice. I looked into a number of options, however I found myself drawn to the healthcare field. I considered trying for medical school. However, at my age I did not think it would be realistic to pursue. Granted there are people who do it at my age, however I did not feel it would be fair to my family in both the amount of time it would take me away from them as well as the fact that I would probably have to relocate to attend medical school. I instead decided to embark on a career in nursing. I attended an ADN program with the ultimate plan on going to CRNA school. I am happy to say that I am presently mid way through my first year of CRNA school and I love it. I have made the right decision for me and have never regretted my choice. I turned 50 last September. So at your age, you have plenty of time. As to your concern about the field becoming saturated. I would not worry about it. This was one of my concerns as well. However, after doing my homework I am convinced that the field will not be saturated during my career. There is a shortage of CRNA's now and it will continue for some time. There are limited spaces available to train CRNA's. It is not only the number of schools that cause this shortage. They are not enough available clinical sites and instructors to train additional CRNA's. Granted, there are new CRNA schools opening to help meet the future CRNA needs in this country, however I do not believe that this will create a surplus of CRNAs. As a professional organization, CRNA's are committed to providing quality anesthesia to the public. And part of this need means insuring that there is an adequate supply of CRNA's to provide this service. However, CRNA's also want to protect what they have worked so hard to achieve. And this means not rushing to train an abundance of CRNA's thereby oversupplying the market and damaging the outstanding career and reputation that CRNAs have enjoyed for a century in this country. I think you would find it more difficult to find a job as an attorney than you would as a CRNA. My advice is to research the career of a CRNA thoroughly. Shadow one and see if this is something you might be interested in. If it is, then go for it. It will take some time, so you need to make sure it is what you want to do. It will require a lot of hard work and determination, but in the end, it will be well worth it. Good luck and keep us posted on your decision.

QUOTE=30andconfused]Hello Tom,

Your words or very encouraging and came at the right time for me. I'm trying to decide on whether to go to law school and drown in debt, or to become a CRNA. I've been an EMT now for 10 years. I'm 32 so the window has passed for me to chose jobs based on whether I think the occupation will make me happy. I need to be realistic and get a career going in the near future. I'm a junior in college and contemplating on getting my BSN and then CRNA. I have no kids and I still live at home. I need to start a career ASAP. I know becoming a CRNA wont be easy, but I'm thinking it may be more realistic in my situation. I'm scared of being 36, 100K in debit and finding a job as new lawyer making less than 60K. Also I saw how the computer field got saturated. Do see this happening to CRNAs?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
30and confused,

At your age you have plenty of time to find a career that will make you happy. I spent over twenty years in a career that I really enjoyed, however I always had a desire to fulfill a dream I had when I was originally in college; to pursue a career in medicine. When I was in college the first time, over 30 years ago, I wanted to go to medical school. Things did not go as I had planned and I ended up going into the service and flew in the Navy. Later, I spent twenty enjoyable and fulfilling years in the restaurant business. After I sold my business I set out to find another career that would be fulfilling and give me stability for what would be my last career choice. I looked into a number of options, however I found myself drawn to the healthcare field. I considered trying for medical school. However, at my age I did not think it would be realistic to pursue. Granted there are people who do it at my age, however I did not feel it would be fair to my family in both the amount of time it would take me away from them as well as the fact that I would probably have to relocate to attend medical school. I instead decided to embark on a career in nursing. I attended an ADN program with the ultimate plan on going to CRNA school. I am happy to say that I am presently mid way through my first year of CRNA school and I love it. I have made the right decision for me and have never regretted my choice. I turned 50 last September. So at your age, you have plenty of time. As to your concern about the field becoming saturated. I would not worry about it. This was one of my concerns as well. However, after doing my homework I am convinced that the field will not be saturated during my career. There is a shortage of CRNA's now and it will continue for some time. There are limited spaces available to train CRNA's. It is not only the number of schools that cause this shortage. They are not enough available clinical sites and instructors to train additional CRNA's. Granted, there are new CRNA schools opening to help meet the future CRNA needs in this country, however I do not believe that this will create a surplus of CRNAs. As a professional organization, CRNA's are committed to providing quality anesthesia to the public. And part of this need means insuring that there is an adequate supply of CRNA's to provide this service. However, CRNA's also want to protect what they have worked so hard to achieve. And this means not rushing to train an abundance of CRNA's thereby oversupplying the market and damaging the outstanding career and reputation that CRNAs have enjoyed for a century in this country. I think you would find it more difficult to find a job as an attorney than you would as a CRNA. My advice is to research the career of a CRNA thoroughly. Shadow one and see if this is something you might be interested in. If it is, then go for it. It will take some time, so you need to make sure it is what you want to do. It will require a lot of hard work and determination, but in the end, it will be well worth it. Good luck and keep us posted on your decision.

Thank you Tom. I'm not a person of faith, but somehow, someone keeps sending good people my way when I need it most. You are an asset to this forum. You really cleared a lot of things up for me. I feel better about my chances of succeding...I guess some would call that faith huh? :-) Thanks again.

Oscar NY

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi. I am new to the site. Your thread is very encouraging. I have an interview coming up in about 2 weeks. Any tips for the interview? Did you have to take a test and write an essay? Just a little scared...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi. I am new to the site. Your thread is very encouraging. I have an interview coming up in about 2 weeks. Any tips for the interview? Did you have to take a test and write an essay? Just a little scared...

Hey Tom how about some words of wisdom for the SRNA's that have finals coming up :rolleyes: :crying2: I wish there was an icon for, I am pulling my hair out right now. Just had 2 physiology tests from you know where and I just heard that the final can take 4-6 hours to finish. Only 4 more tests to go! I think I can I think I can :)

Good luck to all that have interviews and SRNA's with finals.

Tia

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi Filasian,

I too was accepted into that Feb class but have decided to delay my start until the Oct. program. Did you interview in Tampa or Naples? We may have interviewed together! Are you seeking any financial support such as stipends, etc. I was wondering how many were going to grab the Collier Anesthesia opportunity. I am still looking - it seems that there should be more out there just as good or better than this offer. I want to explore all my options! Congrats to you and maybe I'll be seeing you later!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hi Filasian,

I too was accepted into that Feb class but have decided to delay my start until the Oct. program. Did you interview in Tampa or Naples? We may have interviewed together! Are you seeking any financial support such as stipends, etc. I was wondering how many were going to grab the Collier Anesthesia opportunity. I am still looking - it seems that there should be more out there just as good or better than this offer. I want to explore all my options! Congrats to you and maybe I'll be seeing you later!!

Hi Achalker21,

Congratulations to you!!! I interviewed in Naples in November for the February program. I don't know why I didn't think to delay my start too, since I have been going nuts looking for a place to live in Naples, scrambling to get rid of 95% of my possessions, and move within 2 months (I'm moving from Colorado). Thank goodness I already sold my house or that would have been another headache to deal with.

I am tempted to accept the offer from the Collier Anesthesia Group, as W.C. does not have a school code yet and we are not able to borrow any subsidized loans. That sucks. I am worried that my savings will not be enough to carry me through after the first semester. Another disappointment I am facing is that I may not be able to use my GI Bill benefits because the school is new and not yet approved for Veterans Enrollment.

How about you, have you heard of any other sponsors? I really hate to borrow a signature loan for tuition purposes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Filasian,

Yes it does suck that they don't have a code for federal assistance! I was waiting to see if another group in the Tampa area was interested in sponsoring. I plan to contact some hospitals around the areas I may be interested in working in to see if anyone is interested in sponsoring. I have emailed Tampa but gotten no response- I guess I need to follow up with a phone call! My husband will graduate from a nursing program in May so it just works out better for us to go in Oct. I looked on Rent.com at the rental rates and called the Chamber of Commerce. Rates are high and they say this is the highest season of the year. Hopefully you can find someone to split it with. I have been told that some credit card companies offer education loans. I was going to check into that too! Well, good luck with everything. Let me know how it goes or any advice that you may have for me! :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment