So many questions.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Hi, This is my first post here.

I am a 27 year old mother of two, with one on the way (due 1/14). I have wanted to be a CRNA since I was in high school, after be inspired by my best friends mother. However, life kept getting in the way, I went to a small high school that did not properly prepare me for college, I got married, I did go to college for a year but my husband lost his job and I had to go to work to support us, and then I spent several years in that position before staying home with my kids.

We're in a different place in our lives now, financially stable, I do not need to work, having our last baby. And I am also a different person, more concerned about my future and happiness, and realizing that if I don't chase my dreams I will regret it forever.

I have come up with a plan of getting my ADN at a local community college, working as an RN during a BSN program (the only adn to bsn program in my area is online...not sure if that's normal), and then after gaining RN experience and doing the required acute care work, applying to several CRNA programs. My husband is very supportive and has said that we will move to wherever I choose to go to school.

This is my dream, but I have so many fears.

I will surely be in my mid 30s by the time I finish school, is that too old? I don't think it's ever too late to start a career, but do most CRNA's do a straight path from high school?

I understand that nursing school and especially a masters program will be very rigorous and require a lot of time. But am I short changing my children by taking this on while they are so young? Will I still be around to be their mother?

Any CRNAs that are moms? Do you still spend a good amount of time with your children? I know obviously it won't be like being a stay at home mom, and I did work a full time (and then some) job while my oldest was a baby.

And finally, this may be the easiest question. I am having a little trouble figuring out the change from the MSN to DNAP requirements. Assuming that I begin graduate school in 2017 or 2018, I will be past the 2015 requirement but still would graduate before 2025, should I plan on still being able to get an MSN or needing to enroll in a DNAP program. I am figuring a MSN program will be 3 years, is the DNAP program longer?

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The dnp is not a requirement, just a recommendation.

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

You will not be too old. The oldest person in my class now is 41. You just have to realize, which it sounds like you already do, that this will not happen over night and since you are starting from scratch you are probably looking at 5-7 years MINIMUM until you are done. That being said, I took the same route you are planning to take. I got my ADN then worked ER and ICU while getting my BSN and then applied for school.

As far as being around....it will depend. It will definitely be a change for you children while in CRNA school because of the study and clinical demands of the program. Sometimes it feels like there just isn't enough time in the week. I'm not saying you won't see your children, but your time spent together will be drastically reduced. Good luck.

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Hi I have the same plan as you:) I am 27 Married with 2 children and am registering at UTA for nursing pre-reqs and then their nursing program online. If you don't mind me asking what state are you in? Are you going to take classes online or on campus? It's nice to find someone starting in the same position as I am :)

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

The DNP/DNAP is a requirement for CRNAs graduating in 2025 or later. AANA/COA (CRNAs) are the only group of APNs to fully adopt the clinical doctorate requirement at this time.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU.

Best piece of advice I can give you is to ask yourself if you would be happy being "just" a RN. I say that because there is always the very real possibility that you may not end up a CRNA. So it would be a shame to put in all the time of a BSN (or even ADN) only to discover you will not be going on to be a nurse anesthetist AND dislike your current job as a RN.

Now, I am not trying to be discouraging at all, just suggesting caution before preceding. Many a CRNA started on their path of nursing school knowing that they wanted to do anesthesia. Already though you have some trepidation about the commitment involved. Rightfully so!! You have a very genuine concern about time spent with family. It will be more limited, at times even more so though than a full time job plus some ;). I am in a very similar position as you. 30 with 2 kids and pregnant with my 3rd. I have already completed my BSN and currently working in an ICU. I can tell you from my experience that nursing school cut into family time, but not nearly as bad as some others have experienced. Working full time while completing my BSN was even more difficult and I really missed being with my kids and hubby. Now that I only have my job to worry about I am mostly happy with the amount of time I have with family. Which makes the prospect of going to NA school even harder because I know I will be even busier than I ever was before and will feel like an absintee parent for 2-3 years. That's a lot of sacrifice. If I didn't feel like I had a really good support system through my husband as extended family I probably wouldn't even attempt it. My career and ambitions are important to me, but not at the expense of my family.

So the way I see it, I am pursuing my goal of becoming an anesthetist, but if I changed mind I am not stuck in a career I dislike. Consider shadowing a RN and a CRNA so you know what you are really getting into.

*apologies for any typos and such, posting from phone not so fun

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I'm currently in CRNA school, however I do not have kids or anything, but there are plenty of people who do. And unfortunately they have already said their time with kids n stuff has been cut way down. CRNA is hard, some people describe it as the hardest thing you'll ever do. Right now it definitely feels that way. There are plenty of people who are older than you that are doing it so can it be done ? Yes, but not without sacrifice, in terms of family time. It depends on what means more to you .

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Yes it's a sacrifice. Yes you could wait, but as with so much in life is there any perfect time? I have spent so many years working overtime and taking classes at the same time, and now the biggest time stealer will be in aug when I start crna school. I am 37. You would finish before my age, prob take you 8 years. But you will teach your kids about hard work, following their dreams, and perseverance. They will be older when you get to crna school as well. More self sufficient, but you will still miss them. Being unhappy at work is not worth it to me...I want to push forward. Altho my youngest asks why can't I just stay at the job I don't like so we can go back to Hawaii! Lol . they are prepared to hardly see me. We shall see how it goes

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