Has anyone out there NOT been accepted to CRNA school despite their repeated best...

London88 · Nov 11, 2002

Please, tell me we are not going into the issue of shyness being a disability. Whatever way we choose to help people overcome their disabilities everybody needs to be treated the same in terms of what is required of them in school. If I need to do a presentation in front of the whole class so does the shy person. I will not accept that the shy person does not have to perform because of their "shy disability." I agree to allowances for physical disability, but it seems to me Roland that you are suggesting that a "genetically based disability" that manifests its self as a mental disability should be treated in a special way in terms of school. Be very careful with your tendency to over analyze situations. Many anesthesia schools want a complete physical assessment including mental health assessment. One of the questions on the physical form for a school which I applied to was " Does this person have any mental disabilities?" Just because a person takes paxil to help them along does not mean they have a mental disability. The point being made is to stop being so analytical as you might create an unintended label for yourself.

Roland · Nov 11, 2002

IF I were an idealogue. However, I like President Bush believe that govenment has a place within the private sector. However, it is my contention that it should be limited in the roles that it performs. London, your contention is much like that which Kevin has stated previously, specifically that incorrect actions can get one labeled as "undesireable" and result in making graduation (or acceptance) into CRNA school more difficult. I agree that you are both correct. However, I would also suggest that there are appropriate venues for the discussion of these issues, and that this is such a place. On the other hand having this discussion IN SCHOOL would probably not be advised. Perhaps, I am merely tilting at windmills, but if this is so it is with the wind of truth upon my back.

You raise very good questions with regard to how far government should go in protecting those with disabilities. In addition, the other major issue involves exactly WHAT constitutes a disability. However, rather than appealing to law, I am instead appealing to common sense. We are all complex individuals with a plethora of positive and negative traits that both augment, and hinder our abilities to excel within our chosen professions. Except in the most extreme cases it is impossible to predict with accuracy if someone will make a good doctor, nurse, chemist, or electrician for that matter. One person might posess an IQ of 170 and be an extremely hard worker, BUT also have issues of self confidence and coordination. At the same time someone else might be academically "slow" but very studious and wonderful in working with people. Both, individuals might end up making better than average nurses (or CRNA's).

Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that individuals who have what would have been considered only twenty or thirty years ago PROFOUND disabilities CAN make enourmous contributions with only modest concessions on their behalf. This implies that those with LESS profound "challenges" can also be sucessful IF they are afforded the opportunity. We should revel in our diversity and delight in our differences. They are what make us unique and constitute the resiliant fiber that bind this great nation under God.

smiling_ru · Nov 11, 2002

O.K. Roland, philosophical debate aside, I have this to say to you. Do whatever you can to get over your shyness, join toastmasters, go to a therapist, place yourself in uncomfortable situations and make yourself speak over and over again.

I say this because I have known people who dropped out of nurse anesthesia programs because they were shy, they could not deal with the stress of clinical rotations. They felt as if they were under a microscope, and if you are shy that is the worst place to be.

You pointed out your shyness as a shortcoming you know it is an issue, fix it now it will be one less thing to worry about later.

Roland · Nov 12, 2002

about being self concious concerning my hair and weight than it is innate shyness. I used to be someone who LOVED speech in highschool. My wife and I were talking about this very subject the other night and she said that were it not for my hair and weight that I would be so vane, and egotistical that she couldn't stand to live with me. Now I disagree with that characterization of course, but there might be more than a nugget of truth within her perspective. I remember an old karate movie that I saw maybe twenty years ago (Bruce Lee's Enter the Dragon perhaps?). In it the hero savagely breaks the nose of his beautiful son for no reason that I could discern. When asked about his actions he simply replied "now he won't grow up arrogent". Maybe, God or fate "broke my nose" in a sense for my own good.

Perhaps rather than Paxil, what I need is some really intense systematic desensitization. Maybe I need to have people call me a bunch of really hurtful names to my face. Then, I can in essence say to myself "that's the way it is so you're just going to have to accept it and get over it and focus on being the best nurse you can be." Instead, I've gone to great lengths to avoid even the slightest hint of a negative reaction (including avoiding eye contact and ignoring body language) towards my situation. When, I see someone on campus who is in a wheel chair I think to myself "how can I complain, imagine what feelings THEY must repress about being viewed as abnormal."

smiling_ru · Nov 12, 2002

I may be wrong, but it seems to me that you are now dealing with adults rather than children. I do not think there are very many adults who call people names, or think of deragotory names upon meeting someone.

It sounds to me like your desensitization should be communicating with enough people to realize that you are not going to be humiliated. Making sure that the people you choose are adults and not children posing as adults.

Roland · Nov 12, 2002

I'm sure you can think of MANY adults who fall into the "child" catagory, at least a fair percentage of the time. Also, there is the fact that it seems like everyone in my class is a skinny "model" looking girl (ever notice how young people seem more beautiful the older you get, much more so than when you were their age). However, I will say that everyone in my class IS very nice. Quite frankly I'm more concerned about flack from guys than women. It seems we retain much more of our "inner child" even into relatively old age (don't mean to be sexist just my observation).

WntrMute2 · Nov 13, 2002

Roland, lighten up man. You are expending great energy ruminating over something you have no control over. This is all in your head.

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Nov 13, 2002

You could think of it a different way. Ok, Roland. You have gained weight; "Wow, you gained some poundage, dude". That's pretty much the worst of it. And its over. As for the hair, I'm not sure what plugs look like, but, maybe discuss it with someone who does know, and try shaving it off. Go for it. What the hell. You'll feel a bit naked for awhile, but it may be a giant relief.

Ok, enough said on this subject!

Lets move on!

globalRN · Nov 13, 2002

Roland, toastmasters is a great idea. When I was in undergrad and had to do a lot of presentations....I joined Toastmasters...works well. Have you thought about volunteer talks say at Seniors Centers, local schools etc. They are usually very appreciative and are just glad to have you there.

Roland · Nov 13, 2002

facility for seniors but work more on a one on one basis with the residents. I end up playing alot of checkers which if lots of fun but does little for my speaking abilities. Old people and kids are the best people in the world to be around in my opinion.