Med school drop out, now a CRNA. Ask me anything...

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What Members Are Saying (AI-Generated Summary)

Members are discussing the different paths to becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and the differences between CRNA and Certified Anesthesiology Assistant (CAA) programs. Some members share their personal experiences with medical school and the decision to pursue nursing instead, highlighting the emotional toll of medical education. Others provide insights on GRE preparation and the structure of CRNA programs.

The title says it all. Did not do well in med school, dropped out, did a ABSN program, worked in the ICU for 2 years before going on to CRNA school. Now I am a CRNA.

Was your goal for medicine to be an anesthesiologist?

Why NP as opposed to PA (unless you wanted to be a CRNA from the get-go)?

Congratulations! It's amazing that you didn't let that defeat you and moved on in such a great way.

I applied to an ABSN program in my city as I wanted to live at home... There are no PA programs in my city... I was not 100% sure what specialty I wanted to do as I never made it to the 3rd year, but I had anesthesiology at the back of my head... Rotations usually start the 3rd year of med school..

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Thanks for your post. CRNA is a popular APRN destination and we appreciate your expertise.

Could you expound on general area where you work, what type of cases, workload, etc.? thanks.

I work in a huge hospital under the ACT model... Some days I do multiple cases and other days I one long case.... I do wide variety of cases from ENT, gen surg, Endoscopies and Colonoscopies... I work 7am to 3pm.. The MDAs usually do the high acuity patients solo..

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Thanks for sharing your story. Congratulations on overcoming something that may be discouraging to many to achieving a bright career. I went to a foreign medical school but did not get a residency. I am working as an NP now but still dream of becoming a CRNA. Do you know if CRNA schools will accept critical care experience as an NP or does it have to be ICU RN experience? Thanks again.

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....... The bottom 30% of each med school cohort will most likely end up in the least desirable specialties...

Just curious, what are considered the "least desirable" specialities?

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Just curious, what are considered the "least desirable" specialities?

Family med, pediatrics and pathology... anesthesiology is also becoming less popular because of reimbursements going down a lot for them...

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Thanks for sharing your story. Congratulations on overcoming something that may be discouraging to many to achieving a bright career. I went to a foreign medical school but did not get a residency. I am working as an NP now but still dream of becoming a CRNA. Do you know if CRNA schools will accept critical care experience as an NP or does it have to be ICU RN experience? Thanks again.

Yes

http://www.all- crna-schools.com/unique-programs/

^ check out this website i put a space there becuz links are not allowed... these schools are easier to get into, have lower gpa requirements and more flexible with experience... you shud email each school but im sure some of them will accept ur NP experience...

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Specializes in NICU.

Actually, here is a curiosity question- were you questioned about your med school experiences when applying to your ABSN/RN job/CRNA school? How did you handle those what I can only imagine as uncomfortable questions? Strength of character would really shine through, I imagine.

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Great, thanks for the info! Could I ask you a few more questions that I'd rather ask in private? My email is [email protected] I can't PM you since I haven't posted the required minimum of posts to use it. Thanks in advance.

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Specializes in Tele, Cardiac Post Op, ER.

Aside from what you've been through, do you actually LIKE what you do now?

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Specializes in ORTHO, PCU, ED.

Congratulations!!

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oops i got my answer.. COngrats

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Can I ask you (and forgive me if you already answered this) if you had a social like during school? I know I want to be more than a RN and I am torn between NP and CRNA. In your opinion is/would CRNA school be doable with a child or a spouse?

When you graduated were you comfortable enough to put others to sleep on your own? Or was there still a great deal of nervousness? Thank you for the help!

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