Help!! Looking for family friendly schools.

Nursing Students SRNA

Published

I am growing increasingly more frustrated each day I look for family friendly CRNA programs. Family friendly meaning that students are able to go part time or have distance learning or even lengthen their program but lessen the classload. I have found a couple but not many and I would really like more than just two. If anyone has any ideas please let me know, I am even willing to finish my MSN as a NP and try to get into a post masters program...Thanks:confused: :confused: :confused:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

[font="Fixedsys"I am also interested on this. Thanks for posting.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There are family friendly programs. But this is a relative term. It seems that a big part of traditional CRNA training involves extreme dedication. (Your holiday vacation will not be the week of Christmas, but the day of Christmas. ) Not to burst your bubble, but most programs would look upon your wanting a nontraditional lighter load as possibly unmotivated. To get into and through CRNA school you jump through hoops. There is an overabundance of people willing to do whatever it takes to get in. Anything less than this attitude can be detrimental to admission.

I do have friends in other various ANP programs who claim to have more relaxed criteria for clinical/class time. Maybe NP is the better way to go.

Good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't think that wanting a program that is condusive to having a family makes you "unmotivated", IMO. If it does than I am EXTREMELY unmotivated! I turned down a full scholarship to FNP school because I REALLY want to become a CRNA. I am willing to do just about anything to reach my goal, but having a program where I could attend part-time would be really great. If I don't find such a program than I will get through the full-time program without complaint!

I think that it is very short-sighted on the part of the admissions panel to look down on those of us who have a family and don't want to forget about them for 2+ years.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Like another poster said, it depends what you mean by family friendly. In my program, we can complete all of the basic MSN courses first if we want, then do just the anesthesia classes, making the course load in those 27 months a little lighter because you already have the stupid nursing classes out of the way. But we still have to take call at our clinical sites, and we only get the week of Christmas off our junior year. You can take it off your senior year, but you have to specifically request it and hope you are at a clinical site that doesn't make you take call. Most clinical sites will give comp days off for call though. We get 4 weeks of vacation each year, including sick days. Overall it is not too bad except for the speciality rotation months.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I don't think that wanting a program that is condusive to having a family makes you "unmotivated", IMO. If it does than I am EXTREMELY unmotivated! I turned down a full scholarship to FNP school because I REALLY want to become a CRNA. I am willing to do just about anything to reach my goal, but having a program where I could attend part-time would be really great. If I don't find such a program than I will get through the full-time program without complaint!

I think that it is very short-sighted on the part of the admissions panel to look down on those of us who have a family and don't want to forget about them for 2+ years.

I agree, it is too bad that alot of the admissions boards aren't more liberal. Most prospective students are not 18 years old. Most have motgages and families too. But this is one of those times when you can't hate the player, hate the game.

It is a seller's market, and you are a buyer looking for a CRNA program. You are bidding with alot less money than most other players when you go into it looking for special conditions. As long as there are people willing to make huge sacrifices to become CRNA's, then there is no reason to make things appear easier, ie lower the price. The crowd of people that you are in direct competition with for admission are probably willing to do everything that you aren't. That dedication becomes apparent early in the courtship, and seperates the crowd. I don't mean to sound disrespectful questioning your dedication. But, there are fifty people behind you willing to put their lives on the back burner to become CRNA's.

Just as an FYI while I was in school, I had three kids. 7, 4, and 4 months. Wife, mortgage, 2 car notes, etc, etc... I don't feel as though I missed a minute of their lives.

Best of luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardio-Thoracic SICU.

I believe that the University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan has an extended track where you can complete the first portion of the program on a part time basis and then only the second portion is full time. Check their website, it is very informative.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Even if you find a program that offers part-time or online classes, it will only be for the Nursing classes. This will lighten the load a little, but it is still a full time 27 month committment no matter which way you slice it. My program has a post-masters certificate for NPs etc. We had a NP in my class but she still had the same work load as the rest of us, except for a few silly nursing classes.

That said, I have always said it is about time management. I have 2 kids, and made it through CRNA school just fine. 2 girls in my class each had 4 kids and another had 3. We all made it through. I feel like I even spent more time with my kids in the past 2 1/2 years than I did working full time 12hr nights in the ICU.

If you plan your time well, CRNA school is manageable and does not have to mean you will not see your family for 27 months. It's hard but doable. I suggest a smaller, hospital based program that is more personable than a large university center.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Even if you find a program that offers part-time or online classes, it will only be for the Nursing classes. This will lighten the load a little, but it is still a full time 27 month committment no matter which way you slice it. My program has a post-masters certificate for NPs etc. We had a NP in my class but she still had the same work load as the rest of us, except for a few silly nursing classes.

That said, I have always said it is about time management. I have 2 kids, and made it through CRNA school just fine. 2 girls in my class each had 4 kids and another had 3. We all made it through. I feel like I even spent more time with my kids in the past 2 1/2 years than I did working full time 12hr nights in the ICU.

If you plan your time well, CRNA school is manageable and does not have to mean you will not see your family for 27 months. It's hard but doable. I suggest a smaller, hospital based program that is more personable than a large university center.

I am really glad to hear that school was managable. I haven't even applied for school yet, but I am already worried about getting through the program with 2 small children. I feel that it would be easier with 2 small children vs. 2 teenagers!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am growing increasingly more frustrated each day I look for family friendly CRNA programs. Family friendly meaning that students are able to go part time or have distance learning or even lengthen their program but lessen the classload. I have found a couple but not many and I would really like more than just two. If anyone has any ideas please let me know, I am even willing to finish my MSN as a NP and try to get into a post masters program...Thanks:confused: :confused: :confused:

Have you looked into Moutain State University??? It is in Beckley WV and you can live where you are now.

I understand about family friendly programs...which is why I am starting with MSU in Jan ....I was actually told in one interview that should I become preg that I could have the baby on Friday and was expected in class on Monday!!!!!!!! Get real. MSU is a new program but I have spoke with their students and it is tough...no breaks just because you don't have to move.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I agree, it is too bad that alot of the admissions boards aren't more liberal. Most prospective students are not 18 years old. Most have motgages and families too. But this is one of those times when you can't hate the player, hate the game.

It is a seller's market, and you are a buyer looking for a CRNA program. You are bidding with alot less money than most other players when you go into it looking for special conditions. As long as there are people willing to make huge sacrifices to become CRNA's, then there is no reason to make things appear easier, ie lower the price. The crowd of people that you are in direct competition with for admission are probably willing to do everything that you aren't. That dedication becomes apparent early in the courtship, and seperates the crowd. I don't mean to sound disrespectful questioning your dedication. But, there are fifty people behind you willing to put their lives on the back burner to become CRNA's.

Just as an FYI while I was in school, I had three kids. 7, 4, and 4 months. Wife, mortgage, 2 car notes, etc, etc... I don't feel as though I missed a minute of their lives.

Best of luck.

Laughing gas,

which school did you go to? I noticed , you live in OH...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What two schools have you found that even offer this option? I haven't heard of any at all! Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment