Question for you CRNA's

[MichiganChris]

From what I hear, most students enrolled in CRNA programs are not able to work, because of the high demands of the program. I'm wondering how those of you who did this were able to make it without an income? Did your employer pay/reimbuse you, did you get loans to pay your bills, what did you do?

My ultimate goal is to become a CRNA, but I don't know if I could handle the extremely difficult course work, not to mention finding a way to survive financially. Please share with me how you did this. I have a ton of respect for you CRNA's.

[loveanesthesia]

This is what I did:

Work a lot of OT and save money before starting.

Live very cheap, have the car and everything besides undergrad student loan paid off before starting.

Take out loans.

Use sign on bonus to pay off most expensive loan.

Live cheap and pay off all loans.

Don't plan on working while in school, you just can't depend on being able to. Some work a few hours now and then, like during semester break during the didactic portion. I don't know anyone who worked once the clinical portion started.

[FLTraumaRN]

Definitely don't count on working, esp. not enough to pay all your bills. Some people find hospitals, anesthesia groups to supplement an income. Personally, I busted my hump doing OT, paying off bills, and have tons of loans. I would rather have the loans and not worry about how I am going to pay for school.