Surviving Life during CRNA School

conuan61 · Jun 30, 2012

I will be starting CRNA school in August and am somewhat nervous about ensuring my family is taken care of for little things like dinners, laundry, etc. My husband will obviously be the provider and will give a lot to easing some of this but I have heard you have absolutely no free time to do things like this? Is that true? How has everyone else coped?

You will have time for life :) But...make no mistake...it is one of the most grueling things you will ever do. Most programs have some aspect of heavy didactic work in the beginning and that usually tapers off gradually to more focused clinical residency experience with less classroom work as the program progresses, but both classwork and clinical responsibilities continue throughout. As you get more accustomed to the expectations though, you will develop habits that allow you to enjoy family time as well as get your work done...it's really all about prioritizatioin. If you have a supportive spouse, you will be fine. Expect some late nights of study and paper writing, some very long and exhausting days of clinical work, and some sleepless nights of call. Then there's the constant fear of not being able to live up to everyone's expections...it is TOUGH, but you will survive if it is what you really want to do. I did it 20 years ago and have never regretted it. Great profession if you love physiology, critical care nursing, pharmacology, and independence. What school/program have you been accepted to...? Let me know if you need anything! Good luck!!

wanttobecrna123 · Jun 30, 2012

Thank you conuan61. I appreciate your insightfulness. I will be starting at Raleigh in the August. I am excited but of course scared at the same time! I appreciate your honesty and am expecting all those things you mentioned. My spouse is extremely supportive and I know he will do what ever it takes to help me get through the program.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jul 2, 2012

hey wantobecran...I was just thinking of posting my thoughts on the same thing! My sig nif other is a stay at home dad, but we also homeschool...and I am the main homeschooler. Although we have had many conversations, I am unsure if the house and all that goes on is going to be able to be maintained without me there...it is actually holding me back from applying right now...

meep meeps · Jul 20, 2012

What has worked for me during school is making sure I have stocked up on everything I could possibly think of before school started. Laundry supplies, dish soap, cleaning products, canned food, TV dinners, pasta/rice, etc etc etc.

I got an amazon prime account and can order items while I'm on the bus or taking a class break on my iphone. I have several recurrent internet purchases on q3-4month delivery (ie cat food!). I also bought an auto litter box and automatic cat feeder (which has been AMAZING!).

I highly recommend buying enough socks, underwear, sheets, towels, etc to allow yourself to keep functioning if you can't get to the laundry for awhile. I also recommend buying a deep freezer and filling it with homecooked food or easy to prepare meals.

I try to keep my errand running to a minimum (obviously). I've basically created a bomb shelter in my home so I can hunker down and study without having to worry I'll go hungry or have to wear a bikini as underwear to finals (like a classmate of mine!). I'm sure I sound nuts, but this has helped me so much through school. I can focus on what's important and what's not. I am grateful I found an apartment with large closets.

I also keep a detailed calendar of things that need to be completed (ie pay the credit cards, apply for financial aid) so I can keep on track of everything. My boyfriend and I share an app that we can create lists in, so I can share a grocery list etc without having to spend time sending it to him. The goal is to stay ahead so it doesn't become a burden. Between semesters I take care of all the "life" paperwork that has piled up and get organized again just in time to start again. If you can afford it (which I can't) I recommend getting a house keeper who can come by like once a month and tidy up.

Hope it helps. It's totally do-able and it sounds like you have a very supportive spouse. It will be a test of your relationship but I hope you would do the same for him if the roles were reversed.

goodgrief · Aug 16, 2012

my apartment has all utilities included in rent so I don't have to worry about what bill is due when, I only have to pay my rent each month (and cell phone bill)....makes life much simpler.