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

Specialties CRNA

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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.

There is actually a Doctor on youtube you said the opposite. He said medical school felt like "taking candy from a baby" because med school is pass/fail and he went into it when he was already in his 40's so he was serious and had more discipline than when he was in his 20's. He goes by "flightnurseMD". His story is very interesting. He was a nurse anesthetist drop out who became an anesthesiologist (MD).

He also says that nurses eat their young and medical school was more supportive.

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Numerous off-topic/divisive posts removed.

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Thank you for this post OP. It is clear your intention was to share your experience and help some CRNA hopefuls. The sensitivity of some people amazes me, I hope one day everyone can find comfort and happiness in their own career paths and not feel the need to constantly argue their value.

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I was walking my dog one night and having had coincidental converations with three different CRNAs I'd never met before for various social and client reasons began wondering about becoming a CRNA as a NP. I made over a half million dollars in three years as a new NP so the salary issue for CRNAs isn't really a point of status.

Admittedly, I hated the ICU, but it's because I never liked nursing in the traditional sense. Could I quit being a NP and do a RN job for 1-2 years (as I vomit a little in the back of my mouth)? I love the complex medical stuff that most RNs and NPs avoid talking about. The only reason I didn't pick CRNA was to stay out of the _CUs. ER was tolerable about 60% of the time and we did a lot of shop with the unit nurses. We were also a boisterous, recalcitrant crowd in the ER, LOL. I did med-surg one year and hated life. I think I'd rather pull out a toenail every day for the rest of my life than do that again.

Yeah so there's no questions only insomniac musings.

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There is actually a Doctor on youtube you said the opposite. He said medical school felt like "taking candy from a baby" because med school is pass/fail and he went into it when he was already in his 40's so he was serious and had more discipline than when he was in his 20's. He goes by "flightnurseMD". His story is very interesting. He was a nurse anesthetist drop out who became an anesthesiologist (MD).

He also says that nurses eat their young and medical school was more supportive.

I agree. Doctors are cordial. Dentists are too. CRNAs, and very few NPs, party with docs.

Going to a meet up with nurses, and most NPs, is like going to a meeting with a bunch of fun-averse nuns or being or a dog who hikes his leg in the wrong yard.

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I was walking my dog one night and having had coincidental converations with three different CRNAs I'd never met before for various social and client reasons began wondering about becoming a CRNA as a NP. I made over a half million dollars in three years as a new NP so the salary issue for CRNAs isn't really a point of status.

Admittedly, I hated the ICU, but it's because I never liked nursing in the traditional sense. Could I quit being a NP and do a RN job for 1-2 years (as I vomit a little in the back of my mouth)? I love the complex medical stuff that most RNs and NPs avoid talking about. The only reason I didn't pick CRNA was to stay out of the _CUs. ER was tolerable about 60% of the time and we did a lot of shop with the unit nurses. We were also a boisterous, recalcitrant crowd in the ER, LOL. I did med-surg one year and hated life. I think I'd rather pull out a toenail every day for the rest of my life than do that again.

Yeah so there's no questions only insomniac musings.

What kind of NP are you? I'm still teetering towards it.

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What kind of NP are you? I'm still teetering towards it.

Psychiatry.

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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 .

Brilliant just to get into med school? jeez your definition is loose at best. There's plenty of DO programs across the country that will take mediocre students. I have friends of mine that got in with what I would call mediocre grades and very average MCATS. Had I not been older when I decided to switch careers for healthcare that's the route I would've gone but I was already married and starting a family so chose nursing to start working sooner and get into advanced practice. After an accelerated nursing program I planned on NP and jumped right into that, got my MSN, but towards the end of the program decided anesthesia was more for me. So instead of finishing my clinical hours and boards I spent a couple years ICU and applied and got into CRNA school first round. Currently in my first year of a 3 year DNP. Obviously I can't compare med school because I didn't go, but I know for a fact that a couple of my friends who did were most definitely NOT "brilliant" and they are both speciality residents now (Psych and Sports med). They would be the first to tell you I could have easily done the same and I'm far from brilliant. Yes it comes easier to some than others but for the people it comes hard to, they just have to put in the work. What do you call the person who barely graduate and finished last in med school? Hint, you still call them DR. I know some very suspect physicians (nurses too) and it blows my mind they got into school let alone finished.

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I do think it takes brilliance to get into med school or nursing school . It's not something that everyone can do . I don't think my definition is loose at all , you came off a tad bit rude, relax have some water .

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Everybody thinks they are brilliant.

Unpopular opinion, most people in nursing and medicine are not brilliant.

Bring the flames

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Everybody thinks they are brilliant.

Unpopular opinion, most people in nursing and medicine are not brilliant.

Bring the flames

"Most" people in any profession are not "brilliant".

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Hey thanks for this post! I have been looking into CRNA programs actually. Trying to figure out if I want to do that vs. NP. Obviously it depends on the state/job but the overall pay for a CRNA is unarguably higher nationally. I would not choose one over the other for pay but I am truly interested in both. I am an ER nurse, about to switch to ICU for the 2 year experience prior to CRNA school. I guess my question is what is the day to day job like as a CRNA. An average day start to finish. Also, can you tell me how much it was for the program? And since this is anonymous, would you mind telling me if it is worth it vs. doing an NP program? Also, do you have to take a lot of on call??

Thanks so much!!

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