Impossible vs. Possible

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Specializes in Cardiac Tele, MICU RN.

Has anyone ever felt like becoming a CRNA is impossible? Even when this is all you have ever wanted to do after becoming a nurse. I feel like this. I never thought of becoming a NP or midwife, it was always CRNA. I love the OR, and the thought of making someone comfortable before and after a major surgery or procedure. The science of medicine is like a fascination to me. I just think its almost impossible for me and I feel discouraged. My goal is to receive my masters degree but I feeling I may have to chose the NP route due to the fact that I need to work. I am a single mother with an almost teenager and I have bills and I can't even begin with how hard it is to save a buck every paycheck without the thought of dipping into my savings account for something that I need not want. I want this so bad.

Has anyone ever had to deal with this, but overcame this and succeeded as a SRNA and doing well in the program? If so, please give me some encouragement or advice. Thank you

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Specializes in CVPACU, CCU, ICU.
Has anyone ever felt like becoming a CRNA is impossible? Even when this is all you have ever wanted to do after becoming a nurse. I feel like this. I never thought of becoming a NP or midwife, it was always CRNA. I love the OR, and the thought of making someone comfortable before and after a major surgery or procedure. The science of medicine is like a fascination to me. I just think its almost impossible for me and I feel discouraged. My goal is to receive my masters degree but I feeling I may have to chose the NP route due to the fact that I need to work. I am a single mother with an almost teenager and I have bills and I can't even begin with how hard it is to save a buck every paycheck without the thought of dipping into my savings account for something that I need not want. I want this so bad.

Has anyone ever had to deal with this, but overcame this and succeeded as a SRNA and doing well in the program? If so, please give me some encouragement or advice. Thank you

Yes I have at times thought it was impossible. The life responsibilities of husband, children, finances etc. are at times overwhelming. I have had to wait 12 years to get my chance to become a CRNA. Stay focused!

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I have not personally dealt with this, but I do know some people who have. I'm sure you are already working very hard, but can you pick extra time @ work or are you already doing this? The few peolpe I know, worked extra a lot a couple years prir to applying. They paid all bills off (including car) except home. They then saved up money to keep as an emergency fund while they went to school. They then got a graduate-plus loan. This type of loan is for tuition plus living expenses. I'm not sure how much extra you can take out w/ these types of loans. The one single mom I know is selling her house and moving in w/ her parents. She also down-sized her car to save on gas (she gets absolutely no support from her son's father-monitary or otherwise). I hope this info. helps you @ least a little. Good luck in making your career dream come true. If you teenager is old enough to work, have him/her @ least work for their spending money.

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Specializes in Cardiac Tele, MICU RN.

WOW, thirty-four people viewed and not one person viewed thier thoughts or experiences of their journeys. Well, I guess I'm the only one who feels this way. Thanks anyway for reading. Good Luck to ALL

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Specializes in MICU.

Wow - I know exactly where you are coming from. I would advise you to get your financial life in order before you even think of applying to school. School is a huge undertaking and you don't want financial stresses hanging over your head.... that will SINK you in school (and the schools know it --- some of them ask if you are financially prepared to start school).

You wouln't believe me if I told you how much debt I have paid off in the last 24 months (it is well over 6 figures in the last 4 years). We are debt free except our house and I will have cash saved up to pay for school by August. You CAN do it, but you will have to be disciplined.

You have to make a budget and then LIVE off that budget. Use cash envelopes in the areas you are weak in --> those areas where you tend to overspend. Stop eating out. Stop impulse spending. No vacations. No $4,000 for Christmas. If you really want to do school, then downsize your car (and pay it off in 6 months). Work A LOT OF EXTRAS (overtime and/or agency). Buy and use Quicken --- it will help you a lot. ASK FOR HELP from someone who has done what you are trying to do and WON. I am not talking about some financial advisor where you serve to meet his quotas, but find someone to be accountable to, possibly someone in your church.

If you become willing to "live like no one else" now, you will really be able to "live like no one else" in the future (and for the rest of your life).

Don't let debt and overspending steal your dream or your life. Children do what feels right, adults devise a plan and follow it. Grow up, be disciplined, fight for what you want, and make it happen. You CAN do it, if you WANT it bad enough.

PM me if you want more details,

LifeLONGstudent

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Specializes in Telemetry.

Yes, I must admit, I was one of the thirty four or something that viewed the post but didn't reply. I viewed twice to actually see IF anyone had the same situation. But anyhow, i'm glad that you asked that question. I myself am an RN-ASN. I will be attending Northeastern Univ for the RN-BSN program this January. I have gone through this site via SRNA/CRNA/ and pre-CRNA inquiry forum researching questions like that with a few questions of my own all about the field. I have at least 4 years to apply to the CRNA program granted that all requirements have been met. To become a CRNA has also been a dream (an unrealistic one at times due to family responsibilities) of mine since even before I started nursing school. So this is what I have been doing to better prepare myself: First I started studying vocabulary words from a GRE book, so that I do extremely well on the GRE exam since I have plenty of time, and secondly, I plan to start saving $300/month to start off with towards the cost of living expenses (for when the time comes I will be ready to go). I want it that bad that I'm working towards this long term goal early on. I live in the Boston area so there are only two schools in MA that offers this program. Boston College and Northeastern univ. I hope my two cents have helped. Good luck.

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Specializes in MICU.

RN2b

while I am not in the same shoes as you. I too at one time thought it was an impossible dream also. I went to college for all the wrong reasons, and finally decided what I wanted to do (nursing and CRNA) after a couple of years of bad grades in college. well, after a very dedicated couple of years and hard work, determination and I attribute a little luck in there too, of improving my grades and experience, I will be starting crna school in jan. Now granted I am not a single parent with a teenager. so our situations are not the same. but I truley wated this and did everything possible to achieve it without a second thought of another career. If you truly want it, You will have to make the sacrifices needed to achieve your goal. dont worry about tapping in to your savings. there are VERY few people who do not take out a bunch of loans for school. just look at the long term, you will be much better off money wise later to pay off those loans you took out.

ok, anyways goodluck.

tony

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Specializes in Cardiac Tele, MICU RN.

You are so inspiring! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I really needed this and I am going to sacrifice a lot, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to change my life as well. Thanks again.

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Based on your previous posts, it is clear that you once lived on substantially less than an RN's salary. Live as close to that as possible now. There are ways to achieve your dream if it means enough to you. Most people take out loans, not to live a luxurious lifestyle, but to pay their bills while they are in school.

As for your comment about 34 viewers and no answers, that comes across as snarky. I caution you that no one owes you anything--not answers to your questions, not a place in anesthesia school. Make sure you never ever give anyone affiliated with an anesthesia program the impression that you believe you are owed anything. You'd be surprised how small a community the critical care and anesthesia communities are, so be careful how you treat people and what you say. You never know when it could hurt your chances of being accepted, even when seemingly far removed from an anesthesia program.

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Wow, I can relate X 100! Patience.........I have been a nurse for 15 years.....4 kids, lots of obstacles, 3 interviews and now I have been accepted to a program to start in January. Sometimes things don't happen in the time frame that we expect them to. Be persistent and continue to pursue your dream. The process to getting there is incredibly challenging and takes time.

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Specializes in Cardiac Tele, MICU RN.

I don't feel my comment was "snarky". I am not asking anyone for an explanation, and I don't feel like anyone "owes" me anything. I just felt like this site is to support one another and there were no responses. It was just to grab someone's attention. I feel your comment is a bit aggressive and you may have took what I said the wrong way.

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Specializes in Critical care.

Though at times it may seem impossible it is possible!! I am a single mom with two young children and at times it can get hard , but I have not given up the thought of being a CRNA!! Keep pushing for your goals no matter what! It usually gets worse before it gets better! Keep on Trucking!!:clown:

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