I just have to comment on nilepoc's latest blog entry. In it, he addresses the question posted in another thread "Is it what you expected?" To say he feels overwhelmed by school right now, I think would be an under statement by any account.
I feel compelled to share that what he is going through is perfectly normal. I said once here "anesthesia school is the hardest thing you will ever do." I didn't qualify that statement then, and I still don't (OK, maybe our guys/gals in Iraq might have a valid argument with me-but the point is I feel strongly about this.)
Only the best get into an anesthesia program. These are people that are accustomed to excelling at anything they put their mind to. Then they become a SRNA, and find that they are challenged to the n-th degree at every turn. It's hard. It has to be hard. If it wasn't hard, it wouldn't take over two years of 24/7 committment to accomplish it.
So it is normal to feel overwhelmed. Everyone feels overwhelmed. It doesn't mean you want to quit, or that you regret your decision. It just means that it takes alot of energy to get through school. And it takes all kinds of energy-physical, emotional, social, cognitive, etc.
But there are peaks and valleys to a SRNAs emotions. Your support system is invaluable. Family is great, but it usually takes some peer support as well. When you are down, maybe one of your study partners will be not-so-down. Of course, at this time of year (the end of the second semester) just about everybody is completely spent.
I hope that nilepoc, and other SRNAs, are getting close to a break. Those times are invaluable, to renew your energy and spirit. Do something for yourself, and don't even think about school. You will do yourself a world of good.
And it does get better. Ask the students ahead of you, I'm sure they will say they are less overwhelmed, the further they progress.
Thanks to those of you who somehow find the time during school to share how it is going. Sometimes old-timers forget how it was back in the day. It is good for us to be reminded.
Loisann's message helped me so much. I am at this point overwhelmed, exhausted and can barely think straight. I'm fed up with writing my research proposal, sick of getting beat up in clinicals day in and day out. I'm tired. We have had not had one day off, including weekends d/t having to study every waking moment since the days after New Years. I look forward to my only break May 24 for 1 week. Then it starts all over again. My husband left a picture of himself on my pillow this week so I could remember what he looked like. I am in clinicals for the last 3 months 3 hours away from home. Weekends I rush home to do care plans, write thesis and study for pharmacology. Thank goodness he brings food to me and I don't have to cook. I have no children, thank god, 'cuz I'd never see them.
-------------- WHEW! -------------------
Thanks for letting me vent! I actually feel better!
Loisann's message helped me so much. I am at this point overwhelmed, exhausted and can barely think straight. I'm fed up with writing my research proposal, sick of getting beat up in clinicals day in and day out. I'm tired. We have had not had one day off, including weekends d/t having to study every waking moment since the days after New Years. I look forward to my only break May 24 for 1 week. Then it starts all over again. My husband left a picture of himself on my pillow this week so I could remember what he looked like. I am in clinicals for the last 3 months 3 hours away from home. Weekends I rush home to do care plans, write thesis and study for pharmacology. Thank goodness he brings food to me and I don't have to cook. I have no children, thank god, 'cuz I'd never see them.
-------------- WHEW! -------------------
Thanks for letting me vent! I actually feel better!
Loislane & Qwiigley & others have nailed it pretty well. It is very challenging to maintain your focus & do well throughout the program. I am not far from the "finish line" now and it truly looks GREAT!!! I've been interviewing different places and the "future is looking so bright..." - yeah, the shades & all that. ;-) Being "wined & dined" and offered plane tickets and treated like royalty is not getting old for me!
I heard former Senior students say long ago, "When you get within 6 months of graduating, it starts looking really good!" They were right!
To all who are struggling - just hang in there! There is no substitute for simply doing the work and finishing the program. I've worked hard on keeping my eye on the goal. I'm doing 96 hours in less than a week right now (4 - 24hr shifts in OB) and it's grueling. I get about 1/2-1hr sleep total during the 24 hours. Is that tough? Yes, but there are lots of "tough" things in life. It's a lot easier than watching my child go through open heart surgery - twice! Your perspective is critical.
I used to read a lot of comments on this board for a variety of reasons. One of those was to find out if my school was "unusually wierd & difficult". After talking with many current CRNAs & reading on this board, all schools are challenging! There are some that appear to be worse than others - it looks like I landed in one of the worst! "Oh well...!" You learn to "keep your head down" and just hold your nose and eventually, you'll get through it. If I'd known before starting school what I know now - I would NOT go to my school, but sometimes that's just the way things work out. Am I unique in my school/class? No - my classmates are just like me with regard to my school and no - I won't be telling you where I'm attending as my paranoia is warranted. 8-O
My point? Even if you consider yourself to be in the most difficult task of your life and perhaps one of the "worst" schools out there - you can still do this! I helped advise a younger classmate on interviewing and getting accepted to my program only to find out s/he dropped out without even talking to me less than 6 months into the program. What a waste! S/he probably burned up $20k in "up front" school costs and cost of living + lost income for that period of time and went away defeated and will never realize the goal. Now THAT is sad!
Loislane & Qwiigley & others have nailed it pretty well. It is very challenging to maintain your focus & do well throughout the program. I am not far from the "finish line" now and it truly looks GREAT!!! I've been interviewing different places and the "future is looking so bright..." - yeah, the shades & all that. ;-) Being "wined & dined" and offered plane tickets and treated like royalty is not getting old for me!
I heard former Senior students say long ago, "When you get within 6 months of graduating, it starts looking really good!" They were right!
To all who are struggling - just hang in there! There is no substitute for simply doing the work and finishing the program. I've worked hard on keeping my eye on the goal. I'm doing 96 hours in less than a week right now (4 - 24hr shifts in OB) and it's grueling. I get about 1/2-1hr sleep total during the 24 hours. Is that tough? Yes, but there are lots of "tough" things in life. It's a lot easier than watching my child go through open heart surgery - twice! Your perspective is critical.
I used to read a lot of comments on this board for a variety of reasons. One of those was to find out if my school was "unusually wierd & difficult". After talking with many current CRNAs & reading on this board, all schools are challenging! There are some that appear to be worse than others - it looks like I landed in one of the worst! "Oh well...!" You learn to "keep your head down" and just hold your nose and eventually, you'll get through it. If I'd known before starting school what I know now - I would NOT go to my school, but sometimes that's just the way things work out. Am I unique in my school/class? No - my classmates are just like me with regard to my school and no - I won't be telling you where I'm attending as my paranoia is warranted. 8-O
My point? Even if you consider yourself to be in the most difficult task of your life and perhaps one of the "worst" schools out there - you can still do this! I helped advise a younger classmate on interviewing and getting accepted to my program only to find out s/he dropped out without even talking to me less than 6 months into the program. What a waste! S/he probably burned up $20k in "up front" school costs and cost of living + lost income for that period of time and went away defeated and will never realize the goal. Now THAT is sad!
I never thought my Blog would spark this kind of discussion. But I am glad it did. I think it is important for prospective students to know that their thoughts of self doubt are normal. I am currently on an upswing. We had an oral exam in our anesthesia class, and I knocked my question out of the park. That is the highlight of my semester. Now, I just need to ride the wave of enthusiasm into my last three finals.
Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA
571 Posts
Loisann's message helped me so much. I am at this point overwhelmed, exhausted and can barely think straight. I'm fed up with writing my research proposal, sick of getting beat up in clinicals day in and day out. I'm tired. We have had not had one day off, including weekends d/t having to study every waking moment since the days after New Years. I look forward to my only break May 24 for 1 week. Then it starts all over again. My husband left a picture of himself on my pillow this week so I could remember what he looked like. I am in clinicals for the last 3 months 3 hours away from home. Weekends I rush home to do care plans, write thesis and study for pharmacology. Thank goodness he brings food to me and I don't have to cook. I have no children, thank god, 'cuz I'd never see them.
-------------- WHEW! -------------------
Thanks for letting me vent! I actually feel better!
Ok thats enough of a break, back at it!
Good luck all! You are not alone!