firechalice

I graduated in December. I like being a CRNA. Most of the time, I kinda love it. It is somewhat routine. Hours drag by. Schedules aren't the best. Student loan debt out the wazoo! I'm planning to get my DNP in Family, open pain clinic and work with the hospice population. OR work on the side. I don't see myself in the OR for the remainder of my career. I want more flexibility and the ability to go for lunch or coffee without feeling like I have to inhale everything. Let's not even get on the politics... but that's par for the course. It's not what I thought it would be. It's not a career, yet. It's still a JOB.

Great question! I am a CRNA and considering going to the one of the sites. Would love to hear from any other APRNs who have worked for IHS.

Okay Ya'll, I have just finished my next to last semester and IT WAS HORRIBLE!!!! This has been the worst semester ever in CRNA school! I haven't made a C yet but I think I did this semester. Grades will be in soon enough. Clinicals are going well enough. No problems there. Its just that I have lost all motivation to study. The information just won't stick in my head and I have no more energy to beat it in. I am supposed to graduate this December but I just wonder.... I feel as dumb as a box of rocks. All the information that I learned in the beginning has evaporated. WHAT DID I SPEND THE FIRST 9 MONTHS OF THIS PROGRAM DOING!!! I'm scared and there's not much I can do about it. I cannot figure out for the life of me what is going on! I am depressed and stressed. Haven't had a break in like 7 months and won't have one until October. I'm worried about a job, about the future of the profession, about loans, about bills, about love, about life, about boards, about everything. Sometimes I think I'm in self destruct mode. Am I afraid of graduating and going back to the life I had before? I can see why people get divorced during CRNA school. It changes you. I am not the same person. I'm just plain ole scared now. I hope I pass. I was told by the professor not to worry, but I just don't know... I really feel like I suck in the didactic portion. I feel like I suck at almost everything except clinicals! Quite a change from when I started clinical rotations over a year ago when I just about quit the program after about 4 months. I mean I was never the smartest student but... I need a hug lol! Seriously though. I'm scared, and extremely anxious. I don't think this is senioritis. Is this normal?

If you can apply to 2 or 3 then that'd be great. If you are accepted into all 3 then you can make a choice. Otherwise I'd go where I was accepted. Good luck!

Ladyasheleyd, I agree with you. When others see us we are seen as black. When i see us, all I see is a beautiful black people full of diversity, different values, faiths, and creeds. We are different within our race because of culture--even down to the smallest family unit. We are no different from any other race of people. Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans are all Hispanic but they are different. Unified in some causes and diverse in others. The French, Germans, British and plain old white Americans are no different. African Americans whose parents were slaves or have been here for generations have a unique perspective of what it means to be American. Many people born in Africa think we have had it easy and won't let go of the past. At least this is what some have told me. We all struggle for equality because we are all black but not all of us see the same past. For example, I was told by a Nigerian woman that she once told an African American girl.."at least my father sent me over here and I didn't come on a ship". I cannot remember what that was in response to but I can remember that she said that. I was stunned. My response was because of the struggle those who came on a ship you can enjoy the freedoms offered here in America.

I agree, culturally, we are vastly different and when white Americans want to make a distinction then it may be mentioned that he/she is French, British, or German. There is not question as to whether or not Africans are black or whether are not they are African Americans. Both are true. It's only relevant as a matter of cultural diversity. My Egyptian concierge says that he is black but he emphasizes that he is also EGYPTIAN. Our frame of reference (slavery, jim crow, islam, christianity, PORK ;>) is different though our values are very similar. Many Africans may have come from a place were everyone looked the same so color may not have been much of an issue. Discrimination may have resulted from socioeconomic status in those countries. Well here in America, how you look has often affected your socioeconomic status and looking "black" has not been conducive to upward mobility. Yes, we do need to grow as we have racisim within our own communities but we know where it has come from and understand that it is likely to be worse as we face others outside of the African diaspora who base their judgment on what they have seen through the eyes of the media.

These wonderful people have made you out to be a very selfish person who gives a damn about your child. It is obvious that you have given this much thought and sought the opinion of other sorority members. Instead you are told that your child is first. You want to party. You should have thought about this before you had a child. I'm sure you have thought about these things. Your child is why you are trying to better yourself anyway. Though I am not a Sarah Palin fan, she was told that she could not be a mother and VP. Sure it would have been difficult but she had a good support system. Many conservative women's groups weighed in their opinion and practically judged her to be an unfit mother. I wish you the best in whatever decision you decide to make. I know many women who are wonderful mothers with full careers and members of various organizations. YOU ARE YOUNG! If you can do it. Then do so. You seem to have your priorities in order. I hope that you get more feedback from the sorority members who have done what you are trying to do. I am happy that so many people here are concerned enough to give you their honest feedback. Ultimately, the decision is yours. This is 2009 and women have proven that they can perform more than one task at a time. In fact, they've been doing it all along. Why can't you?

Wow! Can I say cruxifiction! As bad as the Sarah Palin VP race for the White House. Oh but she was doing that for the greater good not for her own self interests. Makes for good reading though.

Hey, I'm a guy so not in a sorority but I know plenty of people who pledged and did just fine in school. Of course they didn't have children. Never the less being a mother does not negate being young. If you have a great support system at home and able to balance all of the demands, I say go for it! You are young once and these people will contribute to a lifetime of memories and open a world of possibilities in the future. I am 32 and finally deciding to pledge grad chapter. When I was younger I didn't have the time to pledge. I won't go through hell week but I will have to put in quite a bit of volunteer time. For me, its an opportunity to create a nationwide network and contribute to my field of interest--public health. Good luck!

Looks like my decision pursue an MSN in community/public health and a MPH will pay off. From the sounds of the article, ANPs will definitely be in demand and fulfill some of the need. Isn't it exciting to be a nurse at this time! If we come together and make our VOICE heard we can change things. Problem is that we have too many voices screaming different things at the same time:argue::grn:. Our change can begin now if the ANA does its job. How do we make the public and congress more aware of how an APNs can contribute to the resolution of this health care crisis? I wonder if they are already aware of the possibilities but must contend with the all powerful AMA who thinks that nurses want to be noctors or nursicians. We are not pretending to be physicians and most of us would never want to be. We are great and powerful nurses protectors, promoters and optimizers of health and abilities, working to prevent illness and injury, alleviate suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, advocators in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations (the definition of nursing according to the ANA). Sounds like a group of heroes to me!:dancgrp: If we are successful in this goal, then physicians are not the all powerful decision makers :bowingpurand may possibly have fewer clients. Is that what they are afraid of? Okay enough of my ranting.:oornt: I hope we see true change soon!

I try to make a routine that begins with ironing my clothes, then taking a hot shower with nice music playing (usually gospel or something very upbeat). I always pray while in the shower (a form of meditating for me). I then grab a quick breakfast like cereal, fruit, or something. I buy one cigarrette (they sell singles near me) and smoke half of it on the way to work (it's like my morning cup of joe) while listening to the Tom Joyner Morning Show on the radio. It's amazing how we become creatures of habit. I feel that since I have become a nurse (or just getting older), this tendency for routines has only deepened.

I'm familiar with that area. I only worked at one hospital and then I was one of three AfrAm male nurses and the others were not in ICU. I was the only AfrAm male in any of the ICUs. Its challenging sometimes.

You are correct there does seem to be more of our African brothers in nursing than African Americans. Also, ICU is a beast of a different color. There are very few AfrAm of any color, orientation, or gender. At least that's the case here in MD.

If she feels it will help then by all means do so. Don't burn bridges. I am facning a similar situation and decided that leaving without the parting shot is better.

Hi Everyone, I am wondering if it is time for me to leave my present employer. I know that I work for an awesome hospital/unit and MOST of my coworkers are awesome. The unfortunate aspect is that I don't feel like I am growing. That is not to say that I have learned everything but rather senior staff seems to have decided that I am not the one to be nurtured. I am a good nurse, a pretty good nurse. I am not the best but neither are the others. I have sought feedback from these "all powerful nurses" and none has been given. There is no mentor type person for me to utilize as a resource. After 2 years, I feel that I do not fit on the unit. I have an opportunity to work at a really good hospital on an excellent unit in the same specialty. I know that the new facility will be more challenging physically and mentally. They are also still using paper charting. The new facility usually has 1:2 nurse-patient ratio with a tech versus 1:1-2 with no tech where I am. Money will be better and the schedule not as demanding. The new hospital is also affiliated with the school that I am attending. I know the grass is not always greener on the other side and I may be jumping out of the pot and into the frying pan but I can't help but to wonder. Your advice and feedback would be greatly appreciated.