givethanks

Funny but very difficult to pull off when those pathological personalities fill out your evaluations and take your hard earned tuition dollars, after you resigned from a secure full time job to pursue higher education, in an effort to achieve a goal and better yourself. Turning your world upside down to accommodate their ever changing demands makes it even harder, a reference to my anesthesia school experience. Forgiveness is key but it sure is a hard pill to swallow, at the time. Thankfully, there is life after you experience it. :0)

Total flexibility was what was expected during my time in anesthesia school. If traveling great distances to clinical sites will be a problem then I would thoroughly research the programs that you plan to apply to. Older established university based programs that can and will provide most procedure experiences at their teaching hospital on campus may be the better fit. Smaller programs may not have SRNA and MDA residents competeing for cases but you may be expected to go to very rural areas far from home. Don't think that these hospitals will have a sleep room or that the school will have info on local housing or that a same sex student will be assigned with you, so you can split expenses. Heck, they may not know until the night before you are to arrive where you will be the next day. Not only will you be miles from your family but you will incur very expensive charges for either an apartment or a motel room. Some students either owned or borrowed RV's for out of town clinicals. Students may or may not be seen as dispensable. This depends on the program's faculty. I can only speak of my own observations. Despite your hard work and effort to get into anesthesia school no one seems to feel obligated to perform in their capacities, as they expect you as a student to perform in yours. In other words, admittance to anesthesia school is an extreme privilege with constantly changing standards, depending on how that day's preceptor feels. Flexibility on your part, as the student is expected with very little, if any consideration given to your finances or family obligations unless you have a familial connection to practicing CRNA's or you have some other connection that might be of benefit to the school's program. (Quid Pro Quo) Money and the fact that many go into extreme debt seems to be of no consequence. It is expected of you. If you question anything, it might be viewed as "unprofessional" so be prepared for anything and everything and expect nothing. Just being honest about how it can possibly be. With this said, I know some great CRNA's out there and I hope everyone gets to work with them and glean something good from those that have gone before you.

These are only my thoughts and observations concerning anesthesia school and are not meant to be critical or antagonistic, just something to consider. To JRV- When you read the anesthesia journals you might read about the culture of anesthesia and how things need to change but in reality, there is a long standing and pervasive culture that may only be fully understood when it is experienced. Speak up with your impassioned defence of "rights" and I suspect you will be pegged, as not wanting to assimilate yourself to that culture. If this assimilation were not a requirement, then why do we see phrases such as "fly under the radar" in forum discussions? Individuality or expression of opinions are not always encouraged, especially while in school. I once heard a CRNA say, "I had my soul ripped out when I was in school". This method of instruction/indoctrination, may or may not be presented as preparation for irate surgeons. CRNA's are autononomous but they appear to really have to take a lot, as students and when they go into practice. The journals are full of articles on professionalism and appropriate conduct but sometimes you have to work in reality.

Caveat to thoughts on anesthesia school: I now understand how important a routine fitness schedule is to doing well in anesthesia school. It isn't always the case but as humans descrimination can enter the minds of administrators and preceptors, if they see a student gaining weight. Some might even tell you about it. Many successful students were able to maintain a relatively routine fitness schedule, which helped them maintain their weight and relieve stress. Whatever you do try to keep moving, it will build the stamina you need to get through it. Other threads discuss this very important topic and I highly recommend them for those wanting to go to anesthesia school.

I have read/heard good things about VCU and distance learning modules with occasional on campus requirements may be a good option.

Spode, Just a few thoughts and observations on anesthesia school: First, if you have children, I would definitely thoroughly research the program, especially where their clinical sites are located. I wouldn't take one program administrator's word for it (remember school's need and want tuition dollars). Talk with former students, who had families and are currently working as CRNA's that way they won't feel obligated to "sugar coat" because they are in school. The successful SRNA's appear to be the ones that are single without any family obligations or those with a very supportive spouse/significant other/parents. Yes, many had children while in the program but they had full-time working supportive spouses/ significant others/and or parents and grandparents (many spouses were already CRNA's) that assisted them financially and emotionally. As for those that divorced during their programs, if they didn't have children, there is no guarantee that they saw it as a tragedy. It might have been emotionally and financially therapeutic for them, it is for them to know. I think, if it is something you really want then keeping your ICU work up to date, while working on your CCRN, if you haven't done that is imperative. Also, working on your MSN/NP part time while working in ICU is a good plan. Many think this is a waste of time but that way you will have the NP classes that anesthesia requires behind you and you can work as a NP for a while to pay down your debt. When you go back the anesthesia entrance committee will see you have really put some work in and you won't have to take those NP classes with the others. Also, attempt to work at the University's hospital so you can get to know the CRNA's, Anesthesiologists, and surgeons. As someone said, anesthesia providers are close knit, providers and program administrators.

Spode, I think I understand. I worked for more than 5 years in critical care and was accepted to anesthesia school, a plan I had since before nursing school. I entered an anesthesia program in good faith that the program would hold the same values, that the school had always espoused and stand by what was expressed in the admission interview, as far as provision of clinical sites, many of which would be nearby and onsite simulation experiences prior to starting in the OR. I was there 14 months and had to quit, it was just too much. During the program my widowed elderly mother became ill to the point that she couldn't care for herself and I was having to drive 5 hours a day for clinicals in the O.R. or find the money to pay 268 dollars a week for a motel, in another state and find someone to care for my Mom. Empathy appeared to be totally lacking, when these unforseen monetary expenses(because a close clinical site would not be provided) were explained the program administrators acted like money grew on trees. When approached with my unforseen dilemma, my advisor shushed me like a child, and wouldn't even allow me to explain. When I asked about a clinical site nearby the director said, "You choose to live where you live". All of this, while I watched nearby clinical positions given to others, who had a much stronger support system. The attitudes and personalities I encountered were beyond anything I had ever experienced in nursing. The clinical preceptors appeared to be of the same mindset. The answer was simple, I had made the wrong decision, at the wrong time and to the wrong program. It just wasn't clear because everything just seemed to fall right into place when I applied to the program. I don't regret it because I now have 5 classes toward my NP, if I choose to go back and I think every bad experience only makes us stronger and better people. God has wonderful plans for each of us, we just have to let Him lead. If you want to go back and it is in God's will for you to return, He will give you the strength and courage to get back at it. ) Thanks for the textbook offer but my library is full and yours will be too, if or when you return. God Bless you