help please

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Hi, I am wondering how all of the people on this forum deal with everything that is involved in getting into Nurse Anesthesia school. I am beginning to feel that this whole process has taken over the majority of my life. Don't get me wrong, I really want to become an Anesthetist. What I am trying to say is, that I think about this process one way or another most of my waking hours. I have had an interview, got the rejection letter as most you know and now have another interview scheduled in Dec.

How do you focus on other things in life, I have my job and spouse, but I still find myself worrying about what the interview will be like, if I will get in, etc. I think you all get the picture.

Anyone have any advice for me?

That which does not kill you, will only make you stronger. Just let it go, it is like playing golf. There is nothing you can do about the last hole, so don't let it interfere with the next one. Go to the next interview as if it were your first.

Gooser, I know what you mean. My husband and I (KMcHugh) have talked about me going since he was almost done. Just recently we decided the time was now, right or wrong. Since the decision, I have been combing this board, the AANA site, calling references, etc. etc. Add to that we just moved to Illinois, have an 8 month old and I have not worked for almost a year!!! Given all that I am on the phone calling programs to see if I qualify, trying to find child care, update my certs, and find a job in an ICU to "brush" up. (note: we live in TB2 so the closest ICU to speak of is 60 miles away) I know I am already driving my husband nuts with questions, questions and more questions. I dream up questions, look up the answers then run it all by him. Poor man. It will all be a distant memory when you get accepted, then you will have a newaddiction:-)

But... I can do it!!! And so can YOU!!!!

Good Luck!:roll

Just wanted to say welcome to mommyof2. Your husband has been a tremendous help to all of us. We have also thrown a million questions at him and he has always been a great help. Best of luck on your pursuit and keep us updated.

Specializes in CRNA, ICU,ER,Cathlab, PACU.

gooser-

I drove myself and my wife nuts with talking / thinking etc. Sometimes we need to bite our tongues and talk about something else even though it is not at the forefront of our mind at that time. You can always log in here at night and talk shop with us. Take your wife on a romantic trip to take your mind off things...you may not get the chance once you are in school for a couple of years.

As for work take difficult encriching assignments...you may get a question r/t a case scenario on the icu during your interview. I got lucky and was asked about a tension pneumo a week after having a patient with one on the unit.

Just my two cents...now my worries are that school is starting so soon....got to get the house rented, got to get my fin. aid, got to buy books, got to spend qual time with family...

gooser,

i know what you are going through. i think we all go through the same thing. i think that i thought about NA school every day and every night until i was accepted. i wanted to do everything i could to get into school. so i did. i took every class available and i took every difficult and sick patient i could. i wanted to learn and i wanted it bad. now that i have been accepted i still think about it all the time. school doesn't start for 9 months but i occupies my thoughts all of the time. how will i pay for it, how will life be in school, will i make it, am i good enough? you will have these thoughts constantly, at least i do, for the entire time. just know that the rewards are great and that if you work hard enough you will make it. i wish you the best.

Thanks for the Welcome Cough. This site has so much supportive information I am amazed. Where will you be going to school?

Thanks everyone for all the great advise!

Sorry Coug.

I am seeing things! :-)

the only things that stress you out are the things you allow to stress you out - if it was meant to be - it will be - so stop stressing - be yourself - concentrate on your work/ your family and when you have that interview show them the best of all that!

Hey Gooser,

I think your concerns are valid. It is stressful and anxiety-producing to play the admissions game - that is unavoidable. When you consider that your first interview did not result in admission, that outcome contributed to the tension you already carry.

Sometimes, the focus on our goals and plans becomes too narrow. We worry, we stew, we "what if?"...we try too hard!

My advice? Take a mental break from the admissions process. Put it on the shelf for awhile and come back to it when your next interview draws near. Limit your CRNA-related internet surfing and school literature reading. Do some things you enjoy with your family and friends. And, remind yourself that you will get in, somewhere, when the time is right!

Gooser,

I know what you mean. The week or so after my interview I analyzed it forward and back. I could think of nothing else but how I could have responded better and it about drove me nuts. I have decided that I did my best. I know what to expect next time if I get a rejection letter. I have also decided to apply as a grad student at large and show them what I can do.

FOR Mommy0f2grls,

How do you think the programs will view you not having worked for the last year? Just curious.

Well... it certainly does not help me any. But I have talked to the Director at 2 schools that I had applied and withdrew from 2 years ago. (withdrew at the interview stage) They both said while I had not worked in the last year, I was still a competitive candidate because of my background, and that they would like for me to be employed in an ICU at the time of interview. One said he did not need to know about my personal reasons, that maternity leave was good enough for them. My GPA etc are not outstanding compared to most I see on these boards, but I am certain my references and GRE help a tremendous bit. It probably does not hurt that at the hospital I worked at prior to moving, I came into close contact with many of the physicians and CRNA's affiliated with these institutions, in the clinical settings as well as in Trauma's. A number of them know what kind of nurse I am from 1st hand experience Although we all have bad days. One of the Dr's that sits in on the interviews has chewed my B*** out before, so he could remember that at an interview and I may be in trouble!:-) Who knows. I am really applying for interview experience since everything is in and if I get accepted it will be a shock, if I don't it will not be a suprise, and by this time next year, I will have been in a clinical setting again and hopefully will get accepted.:roll

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