What Most Prepared You

[WhiffOfGas]

As someone just beginning their journey, I thought I would ask the community: what best prepared you for success as an SRNA? Were there particular subjects or courses you paid special attention to? Mentors you had? Perhaps it was your drive and determination more than anything or a group of people you had in your life that helped you get where you are?

What are you doing currently to prepare for maintaining your success?

Many people say that nothing can truly prepare you for an anesthesia program yet many people overcome the obstacles and find even greater success in their program than they did in nursing school. Is there any special advice you wish you would've received during your journey that you would like to share?

[UABsleeperSRNA]

Aroww33 thanks you so much for your kind words! I don't feel like i'm doing anything brilliant While i was in nursing school i set goals for my self and have stuck to those and with hard work and a few prayers answered so far i have been able to achieve those goals!

As for being able to juggle all the information they throw at you the only real way is i spend about 6 hrs in the library studying when we have class and on the fridays we are lucky enough not to have class spend about 10 hrs and study weekends to! the only real way is you have to prioritize what's most important and only take it one day at a time that's the only way i don't feel like i'm going to drown.. i will study all the material if i have a couple of test the next week.. and.. as the exam gets closer i focus on the one that's coming first study as hard as i can.. learn the material.. as soon as i finish with that exam back to the library to study for the next.. you just have to keep your head above water and only look at what's in front of you and put forth as much effort as you can without going crazy.. or losing a wife ha still have to remember to make time for the family!. You may ask why study so much at the library and not at home.. ha we i have found if i'm home my add kicks in and i find other things todo library=nodistractions.. you just have to find what works for you

.. and their is a learning curve.. me i started out studying my butt off.. and have made great grades so i just haven't slacked off.. other's in my class didn't do so well on the first few exams and saw what they were doing wasn't enough and kicked it in to high gear! but put your mind to it and set a goal and you will be amazed what you can do.. as one of my previous teachers told me "it's only 2 and 1/2 yrs, you can do anything for 2 and 1/2 yrs" ad i believe him! I just know it's going to pay off in the end.. when i'm standing at the head of the bed and i'm the one making the decisions and feeling confident in them.. it will all be worth it then.. ha and may not have been quite honest about treating it like a job it's really like treating it like two full time jobs! but if it's where your heart is leading you it will all be worth it in the end..

[WhiffOfGas]

This is great advice!!! Thank you so much for sharing! I greatly appreciate it and am duly impressed by your effort, hard-work and the tenacity you must have to be able to look at it like both a job and a temporary situation all the while saying to yourself: I must both absorb and learn everything I can in the time given because one day I will be out of school and actually doing this!

I'm jealous and excited for you! Way to go!!!!

I've been told -and truly believe- determination and will-power are some of the largest determinates in success with an anesthesia program and hearing your words of wisdom makes me believe it all the more!!!

Thank you so very much for taking the time to reply - I greatly appreciate it!