2 answers
Carisa
Student
Rochester, Minnesota
6
Questions
Asked
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What steps did you take to becoming a CRNA How are you able to balance your personal life while being one??
I am a high school student who will graduate as a LPN through a program and I plan to also be a RN while working as a LPN before ultimately becoming a CRNA but I'm not sure if I understand the hardship and responsibility to being a CRNA yet.
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2 answers
Susannah Hope
Consulting
5
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Susannah’s Answer
Hi Carisa!
I'm not a CRNA, but I have supported several family members who are CRNAs, so I wanted to answer to provide my perspective.
Being a CRNA is a big responsibility - you are taking people's lives in your hands and it can be very stressful. It can be very easy to get burned out, so it is important to protect your own health and wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional).
1. Don't be afraid to communicate what help you may need from family, friends, and those supporting you. We know working in nursing, going to school, and becoming a CRNA is stressful, so let us know how we can help!! It doesn't have to be big things either - helping with small things can reduce your mental load like making dinner, doing a load of laundry.
2. Especially in CRNA school, lean on your fellow classmates. Your family / friends can help how we can, but we may not fully understand your journey and that's okay! Your classmates can, so learn to help each other.
3. It is important to find healthy ways to decompress. Find a hobby that you can do outside of work and do it consistently. This will help you have an outlet to relax, not think about your patients, and can further build your support network. My family members who are CRNAs have done gardening, cooking, musical festivals, travel, etc.
Healthcare is a hard field, but we are grateful for all you will do!! Thank you for choosing to your community, those in need, and your fellow humans!
I'm not a CRNA, but I have supported several family members who are CRNAs, so I wanted to answer to provide my perspective.
Being a CRNA is a big responsibility - you are taking people's lives in your hands and it can be very stressful. It can be very easy to get burned out, so it is important to protect your own health and wellbeing (physical, mental, emotional).
1. Don't be afraid to communicate what help you may need from family, friends, and those supporting you. We know working in nursing, going to school, and becoming a CRNA is stressful, so let us know how we can help!! It doesn't have to be big things either - helping with small things can reduce your mental load like making dinner, doing a load of laundry.
2. Especially in CRNA school, lean on your fellow classmates. Your family / friends can help how we can, but we may not fully understand your journey and that's okay! Your classmates can, so learn to help each other.
3. It is important to find healthy ways to decompress. Find a hobby that you can do outside of work and do it consistently. This will help you have an outlet to relax, not think about your patients, and can further build your support network. My family members who are CRNAs have done gardening, cooking, musical festivals, travel, etc.
Healthcare is a hard field, but we are grateful for all you will do!! Thank you for choosing to your community, those in need, and your fellow humans!
Parker Shikle, MBA
Senior Consultant
2
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Parker’s Answer
Hi Carisa, I am not a CRNA; however, my girlfriend of 5 years has about 1 year of her CRNA program left, so I have witnessed her go from being a student in an undergraduate nursing program to being a nurse in the Medical ICU to being a CRNA student. She is currently completing her clinicals, so I have listed my thoughts below on her experience.
1. The MICU was not her favorite area of nursing to work; however, she chose it as it gave her the strongest chance of acceptance into a CRNA program based on her research.
2. STEM GPA, years of direct nursing experience in critical care, and the interview seems to be the most critical parts of the application process, so I would focus on these as you are looking ahead and preparing.
3. CRNA programs vary, but her first year was completely in the classroom and then her 2nd and 3rd years are primarily focused on clinical experience while also completing some class in parallel. The school is very intense and time consuming.
4. The clinical experience has also been intense as she typically arrives at the hospital around 5 am, leaves around 5 pm, and works 4 days per week. There is some pre-work involved as she must review the surgeries for the next day and prepare care plans.
5. As a CRNA she is directly managing the case while the Anesthesiologist oversees several cases.
1. The MICU was not her favorite area of nursing to work; however, she chose it as it gave her the strongest chance of acceptance into a CRNA program based on her research.
2. STEM GPA, years of direct nursing experience in critical care, and the interview seems to be the most critical parts of the application process, so I would focus on these as you are looking ahead and preparing.
3. CRNA programs vary, but her first year was completely in the classroom and then her 2nd and 3rd years are primarily focused on clinical experience while also completing some class in parallel. The school is very intense and time consuming.
4. The clinical experience has also been intense as she typically arrives at the hospital around 5 am, leaves around 5 pm, and works 4 days per week. There is some pre-work involved as she must review the surgeries for the next day and prepare care plans.
5. As a CRNA she is directly managing the case while the Anesthesiologist oversees several cases.