What's So Difficult About Crna School?

heartICU · Aug 2, 2005

I've always heard SRNA students complaining about how difficult CRNA school is but I was wondering is it the actual academic material and understanding of it or just trying to survive financially while attending that makes CRNA school so hard? Or both?

I think it depends on the person. For me, the actual material is not difficult, with a few exceptions. It's just that the volume of material you are expected to know in a short period of time is tremendous. That combined with the fact that there is never one way to do things clinically - as they say in anesthesia, "there are 100 ways to skin a cat." There is no one set way to do anything, no recipe for an anesthetic technique that works on all patients.

The financial stress is something that can have an impact on your perception of difficulty. It is hard to live like a college student again - actually, I am writing a paper while eating ramen noodles and a turkey sandwich!

In addition, it's also a nonstop deal...take last week for example. I had class 8am-5pm Monday and Tuesday, then had to be at clinicals at 6am Weds, Thurs, and Fri. I didn't get out of clinical until at least 6pm on all three days, and on Thursday not until 8pm. On top of that, you have to look up your patients for the following day, go see them if they are in house, and formulate an anesthetic plan and discuss it with your staff MD. Now I also had to find time to study in there somewhere, as I had an exam yesterday, which for me means studying on the weekend.

Nonstop working/learning/studying on top of not getting paid much or at all (my particular program offers a stipend, but we average out to be about four bucks an hour) adds up to a stressful time. But at the same time, people will tell you that you can't date, or have a family, or whatever while you are in a nurse anesthesia program. This simply isn't true - you just have to be organized. Time management is essential to survival in this type of graduate program.

kmchugh · Aug 2, 2005

It's a combination of a number of factors that makes the school so difficult.

1. Complexity of material: No matter how you shade it, the material isn't easy. It's tough, and there is not always a "pathway" to the right answer.

2. Volume of material: As pointed out, the volume of new material is huge.

3. Time management: I don't care how good your skills in this are, they will be stretched to the limit in CRNA school. Of course, if you figure out how to stretch the day to 28 hours, it gets a lot easier.

4. Balance: Whether or not you are married, you have to find time to balance your scholastic life with your personal life. You cannot simply shut off all outside influences while in school. You have to eat sometime.

5. Stress: You are never more than a test or two from being on probation, or even failing out of school. Remember, C's aren't good enough at the graduate level.

6. Perfectionism: If nursing students are, as a rule, anal retentive, then CRNA students can actually generate a vacuum. It takes a while to learn (and it never really settles in) that perfection is the enemy of well done. The blow to the ego can be shake you up pretty well if you are not prepared.

It isn't like anything you've ever done before.

Kevin McHugh

nilepoc · Aug 2, 2005

I would have to say that there is no one reason why CRNA school is so difficult. I skated through most of my education until I attended CRNA school. The reasons Kevin stated above are good ones. I especially agree with the stress one. I came very close to failing out, and it was all because of a B- incurred while taking 18 hourss of classes in a summer semester. I got A's in all of the other classes. From that point on, the program had me in their sights as someone to watch. Life was never easy again.

Like I said, you will find your own reason why it is difficult, There was not one person in my class who did not struggle at some point. The smartest person in my class almost quit when clinicals kicked in.

Good luck.

SKYSTHELIMIT · Aug 2, 2005

Thanks Guys For Ur Input

cck1 · Aug 2, 2005

I would have to say that there is no one reason why CRNA school is so difficult. I skated through most of my education until I attended CRNA school. The reasons Kevin stated above are good ones. I especially agree with the stress one. I came very close to failing out, and it was all because of a B- incurred while taking 18 hourss of classes in a summer semester. I got A's in all of the other classes. From that point on, the program had me in their sights as someone to watch. Life was never easy again.
Like I said, you will find your own reason why it is difficult, There was not one person in my class who did not struggle at some point. The smartest person in my class almost quit when clinicals kicked in.
Good luck.

Hey I know you attended GU, I start this august (class of 2007) any advice to survive the program? Where do you work now?