movinsouth

has anyone used Faust in addition to the other texts?

how can we find out where the nearest testing center is?

Absolutely, if the practice is set up such that one CRNA is circulating. It is really not about MDA/CRNA abilities, but more about having someone available if I need help. If everyone is in a room and busy with a case, it is much different than if an MDA is circulating between 2-4 rooms. Also, in an all CRNA group, I would be on my own during call.

Thanks a lot for the insight! It really is amazing how anesthesia groups differ from each other so drastically (their culture). I hope I find the right fit for me!

Hi, I will be graduating in December and am planning to move to a specific area (back home). I have been job searching for quite some time now and am finding a lot of hospitals that are "All CRNA" groups with no MDAs. These are hospitals around a metropolitan area. I would love to return to the hospital that I worked at as an RN (MDAs and CRNAs-more supervised), however they are not hiring at this time. I am wondering if I should even consider working in an all CRNA group as a new grad. There are a couple of small hospitals with 1 or 2 MDAs, but I would take call on my own. I'm really struggling with what to do. I had hoped that I would already have a job by this time. Any advice???

It can be done!! I am in my second semester of CRNA school. I have three children ages 4 and under. My husband and I made the decision early on that he would stay home with the children. The cost of sending three children to day care would consume a good amount of my husband's salary and the whole family dynamics would be so stressed with both parents home so little. This situation is working out so well for us! I have the freedom of studying as much as I need to (which is pretty much all the time). The children are happy and content having daddy home with them. Yes, we have a lot of loans...but it will be worth it in the end! It is a good investment for our future. We are learning to live very frugally and we will continue that lifestyle for a couple years after graduation to pay off some of the loans. Also, I hope to find a job that will offer a sign on bonus or loan repayment. Best wishes with your decision. I say, Go For It!!

Dear Cabbage Patch RN, I have three young children also, ages 4, 3, and 1. My husband stays home with the children full time. Yes this means loans, loans, and more loans, but we couldn't and wouldn't do it any other way. I just started in August (so,have a long ways to go) and am balancing family and studies better that I thought, but it is all because I have an extremely supportive and encouraging husband!! I basically study whenever I need to (which is constantly) without feeling I have to be home with my family. If I have some free time, its a bonus. I also schedule 1 afternoon and evening (at the end of the week) with my family and don't even mention school, real quality time!! I must say though, you really have to want this bad. I tend to have the occassional guilt about how much I am away and how much my husband is doing on his own. But, we both know the benefit in the end will far out weigh the stress and time apart these 28 months. Attitude is everything. Best of Luck to you!

I am just starting my second week as a SRNA. My husband and I moved our 3 children ages 4, 2 1/2 and 10 months away from our family so that I could go to school. It is hard, and will only get harder...but it is for the better of our family in the long run. My husband is staying home with the children right now to make it an easier transition for them. This is working out very well for all of us. He is so supportive and encouraging, I could'nt do it any other way. As for money, loans are it for me too. Many loans. Again, I look to the future, its an investment. I just try not to dwell on the amount of those loans right now as I have to focus on my studies now. Best of luck to the original poster.

Congratulations!! I found out that I was pregnant with our third child after I started applying to CRNA schools. We decided at that time to go forth with the application process since school had been in our plans for several years. There just does'nt seem to be a perfect time to go to school with children. I will start Aug 16 and have three children ages 4, 2 1/2, and 9 months. I still have my worries about how I will balance school and family, and how my children will handle this change. Also, we are moving away from our parents/family/support. However, my husband is extremely supportive and will stay home with our children, and we will make it through this adventure. You have been blessed with this pregnancy, it is a gift. Everything will work out in the end. 3 years from now you'll probably be happy that you went ahead with school because you'll be done!! Best Wishes!

Thanks everyone, it is encouraging to know that there are other programs charging similar fees. The unfortunate part is that my program's didactic portion is almost completely frontloaded with 17 credits the first semester alone...ouch! It is hard on us out of state students. Like you all said...it will be money well spent. I just try not to dwell on it in the meantime.

Im just wondering what the average cost of out of state tuition is for CRNA programs. My tuition was apparently just raised, now to $840/credit. This seems outrageously high. I hav'nt found any other university yet that charges that much. How many schools are in this range?

How common is it for SRNAs to have loans (total amount) at or above 100K after school?

Does anyone have any suggestions on a PDA and/or Laptop computer that works well for a SRNA? I will be doing a lot of traveling so would like a PDA with a voice recorder (I think there is such a thing) and the ability to play back content during my drive. Also, any great programs that seem to be a necessity for getting through school? I start my program in August and want to purchase these items soon so I can learn how to use them. Thanks!

TraumaNurse- You are exceptionally motivating! You seem to have had a positive outlook from the beginning, before you even started your program. That seems to be absolutely necessary to suceed. Thanks for giving us all hope:) !

Does anyone have suggestions on where to purchase quality health insurance for "family" coverage during school? I know that the school provides a plan, but it sure does'nt seem like it's that great of coverage. I would'nt care as much except that I have small children that still need their regular clinic visits and it could get pricey having to pay high copays and deductables every visit. I would like to check out a few other options before I purchase the school's plan.

I will be starting a CRNA program in August. I have three small children...Ages 4, 2 1/2, and 8 months. Am I crazy? Maybe... but I have an extremely supportive husband who will be staying home with the children for at least the first year. It is stressful because we will aquire more loans...but I think better in the long run for the health of our "family". Since we will be relocating to an area far away from our family/support, it would be very hard on the children to be away from both parents. I just hope and pray that we are making the right decision and that it all works out in the end. My husband and I both feel that now is the right time to go through this ordeal...while the children are young. The younger ones wont have as much recolection of this stressful time and we wont be uprooting them from school and many friends like we would if we were to wait several years. It is encouraging to hear that there are other mothers/parents making this huge comittment. I know that I will feel a bit of guilt from time to time about the lack of time I'm able to devote to my children...hopefully I can cope with that. I agree...would love to have some helpful advice and encouragement from SRNAs currently in the same boat. Thanks, and best of luck to the above posters!

At my interview I gathered that I would have my clinical in my choice location (one of two options). Now after accepting a position in the class, I just found out that I will likely be doing 50% of my clinicals 2 hours away. I don't know yet how the schedule will be (days/weeks at a time). Ill have three little ones at home. This obviously causes a bit of stress for me. How many of you are in similar circumstances? Is it common for all programs to have clinicals in several different locations? Any suggestions on how to cope with this schedule in terms of family time, study time, and expense?

pnurseuwm-I work in a Madison hospital, and there are many CRNAs praciticing here, I have shaddowed several of them. They are highly utilized in the Madison area.

I definately think you will benefit from some ICU experience. I had five years of experience in a very busy ER and was frustrated to find out that few schools accepted that as critical care experience. I then started to work in a SICU to get my "ICU" experience before applying to CRNA programs and was very humbled at what I still had to learn. We also started many drips in the ER, but what I lacked experience with was titrating to effect and maintaining the patients condition on several diffent drips. I also have more autonomy in the SICU to make critical decisions (We always had ER docs right there to make decisions). Your ER experience will be invaluable, along with some ICU experience. Good Luck!!

moving to Naples, Fl in July to start school at FGCU in August.

Are you anticipating that $30,00/year will be enough to live off of? My husband will be staying home with our 3 children, at least initially. The 18,500 will cover tuition for the 28 months, books, etc... and I don't know if we can make it on 30,000 alone for living expenses, especially since we'll need to pay for health insurance. It's all a bit stressful. We're trying to figure out a budget now to get a feel for how much we'll need. I don't want to get too overwhelmed with loans. I do, however, want to take out enough loans so as to not feel stressed during school (then is not the time to worry about money).

I work in a surgical ICU with many cardiothoracic patients. I would highly recommend "Fast Facts for Adult Critical Care". You can call and order from Kathy White Learning Systems @ 1 800 940-0895 or online @ http://www.kathywhite.com. This is an awesome pocket size handbook that I use daily for quick reference. You'll find it invaluable!! Good Luck.

I work in a surgical ICU with many cardiothoracic patients. I would highly recommend "Fast Facts for Adult Critical Care". You can call and order from Kathy White Learning Systems @ 1 800 940-0895 or online @ http://www.kathywhite.com. This is an awesome pocket size handbook that I use daily for quick reference. You'll find it invaluable!! Good Luck.

This is a great site and I've read a lot of great info, so I finally decided to join. I will be moving my family (husband and 3 little ones) to Florida in July...Big Change!! Ill be starting CRNA school at FGCU. My husband will be staying home with the kids at first, to make the transition easier on them and to avoid high daycare costs, so unfortunately, we'll have a lot of loans. I'm trying not to worry too much about the loans we'll aquire, it sounds like we're all in the same boat there. Plus, if he needs to get a job, he can always do so. I do get concerned a bit about the impact this will have on my family. My husband is so supportive and excited for this opportunity to further my education. He realizes the tremendous time comittment that I'll have and says that we'll make it work. I'm interested if anyone else is in the same boat? Do your spouses work or stay home with the children? How do you budget family time? How do you make it work financially? Anyone going to FGCU? Thanks in advance for your feedback!!