RN Student

AmiK25 · May 24, 2006

I applaud the fact that you want to pursue anesthesia school, especially as a single mom. I know people have done it and I do not at all want to discourage you. I am strictly going to tell you how many hours I spend away from home or studying at home. I am about to begin my fourth quarter of anesthesia school. Right now, I am in class about 15 hours a week and in the OR about 24 hours a week (three clincal days but some are cut short because I have to go to class). We also have to stay at the hospital until the OR schedule comes out (around 4-6) to see if we have an inpatient for the next day we need to pre-op (some people can go home but I live 30 minutes away and it is too much trouble to drive back in). I would say that on average, I spend about 2-3 hours/night studying/preparing for clinical....of course some nights less than others and usually spend about 8 hours on Saturday and Sunday studying for whatever test is coming up. I do take some weekend mornings or afternoons off if we don't have a heavy schedule for the week. Starting in two weeks, we have clinical every day Monday-Friday for the remainder of the program (except for two weeks vacation), which is mixed in with call shifts (16 hours during the week, 12 hours on the weekend). We do get the day off after call and two days off for a weekend or holiday call. This will also be mixed in with the remainder of our classes, which will be in the afternoon or evening after clinical. I would say that I definitely spend at least 50-60 hours/week studying or at school. I have a 2 year old son who my husband takes wonderful care of who I do try to spend a little bit of time with every afternoon/evening before bed but sometimes I gone before he gets up (have to be at the hospital around 5:30 on clinical days) and I don't get home until he is in bed (but he goes to bed early around 6-6:30). So, I know this post is really long and probably discouraging but I do not mean it in that way at all. I know there is a way to do it....you will just have to work very hard and try to find a way to balance things. Since your daughter is older, I would think she would be able to help you around the house and do many things for herself that a younger child might not be able to do. I also think maybe a front-loaded program might allow you to spend more time with your daughter in the beginning (our program is integrated and balancing classwork and clinical is definitely a challenge). Anyway, good luck with your pursuit and let me know if I can answer any questions. Again, I do think it can be done, I just wanted to offer you an honest answer as to my time requirements. :welcome:

ggm · May 24, 2006

Thank you for the honest and insightful answer. My mother has offered to keep my daughter while I am in CRNA school, but it hurts my heart to think about the time and milestones I will miss. I do not want to be 350 miles away from her. I will do it one way or another, I must reconcile in my own mind what is best for both my daughter and myself. I am glad to have your input. I think the key in having a family and school is having a strong support system. I have noticed alot of people have spouses that help-maybe I can find one of those! Ha! Ha!

amber32123 · Jun 1, 2006

I am also thinking about going into a CRNA program, I have a long ways to go though. Just a question: how long are most CRNA programs? I am imagining that they are about 2 years long. It seems like they take up most of your time so you are unable to work while going back to school. I'm just doing my research on all of the different fields of nursing that I will be able to go into.

Thanks,

Amber