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

Specialties CRNA

Published

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.

Are you actually suggesting that the assertion that medical school is harder than anesthesia school is unreasonable? To the extent that the person making it must be a troll? How absurd a statement that is.

If im being straightforward... I have to say medical school is more challenging than CRNA school... Anybody who has gone through with both and taken the USMLE will agree... However, do I feel that you need to be an MD to be an independent anesthesia provider? Not at all...

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If I'm being straightforward... I have to say medical school is more challenging than CRNA school... Anybody who has gone through with both and taken the USMLE will agree... However, do I feel that you need to be an MD to be an independent anesthesia provider? Not at all...

I understand this is coming from your perspective which is shaped by your personal programs education didactically and clinically. I don't want people to get confused and think that your statements are broad ones that cover the entire nations CRNA training programs and degrees.

I have a different viewpoint coming from a different training program and degree. With a three year doctorate, my program was able to spend 3 years teaching the hard sciences and anesthesia concepts. We spent a majority of the first year doing genetics, advanced A&P, general pharmacology, gross dissection, advanced pathophysiology, advanced organic chem, research statistics.. etc. We were required to learn many difficult concepts that had nothing to do with anesthesia. We all groaned about it at the time having to memorize the genetic mutation linked to Brugada syndrome but hearing how some masters programs seem to be lacking I suppose I should be grateful for the thorough education.

We also were not taught anesthesia procedurally but in a way that encompasses the entire perioperative period. We spend time in pre-op and post-op reviewing labs, X-rays, EKGs, assessments deciding if a case should be canceled or delayed. In the classroom, we were taught with the idea that we were the only anesthesia provider present and it was necessary for us to have the answers and be an independent provider.

Some people disparage the new doctorate requirement but realizing that I would have already graduated at this point instead of having another year to learn and grow into the professional role of a CRNA I have to say I've found great value in it.

To be clear, I am not saying that everything in its entirety taught in medical school is covered in CRNA school. I would point out that anesthesia is not a topic taught in medical school.

As for which is "harder", that is a subjective opinion.

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Hi can you share how many crna schools did u apply to and what school did u endup. How much experience did u have in icu when u were applying. Thanks

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cross posted, but I will ask in this thread as well. Can you have a neatly trimmed beard as a CRNA?

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Can I PM you my license?

As long as your sending him yours, he ought to send his to you....never know who the trolls are...

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
Are you actually suggesting that the assertion that medical school is harder than anesthesia school is unreasonable? To the extent that the person making it must be a troll? How absurd a statement that is.

refer to Bluebolt's last comment

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Great information, although the conversation took some interesting turns.

1) When did you start telling your colleagues and management team about your CRNA pursuit? Were you open from the beginning, or did you keep it quiet until you were ready to apply? Any recommendations on this?

2) Who did you ask letters of recommendation from?

3) Has anything surprised you about the CRNA career path?

4) Any student loan debt? Any financial aid, scholarship, savings advice in preparing for CRNA school? If you have debt, when do you expect to be out of it?

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Thank you so much for getting back to my questions! I have one more I forgot to mention (sorry!!).

As someone who is not even in nursing school yet, I am completely ignorant to the full scope of what a CRNA can do. I know it is something I'm interested in, but if my questions sound silly, again I apologize.

With that being said, can a CRNA work with a team of other CRNAs or is most of the work that they find solo work? Would one expect to be paid more when working solo or is it not that big of a difference?

If there is a difference, what could the average salary of someone working on a team VS someone working solo? I know salaries vary across the country I just wanted to get a general idea from someone who actually lives it.

Can a CRNA expect to make more money at a hospital or in outpatient clinics?

Could a CRNA work or expect to work more "normal" hours at a non hospital setting verse a hospital setting?

I am sorry for all these questions! Like I said I am clueless on the subject so I appreciate your help! :)

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I'm a new nurse in the OR , but I plan on transferring to PICU or SICU next year . You got into medical school so you must be brilliant . How did you study in CRNA school , how many hours a day and week ? Did you still have a social life ? Was your program front loaded? Or classes with clinicals ? I'm in NY so most of my options are Columbia or Rutgers one jersey . Most people say cRNA school is the most difficult thing , I believe it as difficult but I see people with kids doing it . It may require a lot of studying but it's not Med school .

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Hi can you share how many crna schools did u apply to and what school did u endup. How much experience did u have in icu when u were applying. Thanks

I applied to 20 schools... 2 years in the ICU

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Can you share your GRE score?

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In regard to anesthesia? That is most definitely not true. CRNA's run solo in rural hospitals and get everything and anything. There is nothing a CRNA cannot handle in the workplace compared to an MDA. MDA's are certainly not the "authority provider". You appear to be misinformed on what a CRNA does.

This is complete speculation on your part. You don't know that.

I'm very informed, thanks.

I haven't been through med school or CRNA school, but OP has and yet he agrees. So maybe it's not so much speculation on my part. Google "CRNA Horror Stories" on Student Doctor Network and you will hear the MDA side of the story. Maybe you will get a different perspective on this.

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