This is going to sound like a dumb question, but since I am a person who enjoys comparisons, I feel compelled to inquire just how hard is CRNA school
compared to nursing school?

Creative metaphors are always appreciated.

I’ve rotated through several hospitals now, and as a senior SRNA getting close to graduation, there’s one thing I’ve noticed at pretty much every facility: anesthesia providers wearing headphones or earbuds during cases, similar to the ones pictured.

For those of you who do this, what are you listening to? Music? Podcasts? Something else? And do you feel like you’re still able to maintain full situational awareness and hear everything going on in the room?

I even saw a second-year NAR wearing them at another hospital, which surprised me a little. Even as a senior, I don’t think I’d feel comfortable showing up to a case with my preceptor seeing me wearing headphones.

No judgment, I’m genuinely curious about how common this is and what the general consensus is. Is this becoming pretty normal in the OR?

Hi guys, I’m starting school next year. I’m wondering what habits that you guys developed in the ICU that helped you in clinical/school

2nd year SRNA here. Wondering how much you guys are doing DL vs VL (glide or McGrath) at clinical? My site has a McGrath in every room so I mostly use VL. I usually attempt to DL first if it’s not contraindicated for the pt but if I can’t see anything I just use the McGrath. But I’m worried I am not developing strong DL skills if I rely so much on the McGrath…

For those in CRNA school or already practicing, which parts of your ICU experience helped you most once you started anesthesia training?

If you also worked in the ED, pediatrics, flight, or another area, did that experience add anything useful beyond your ICU background? I’d be interested in specific examples, including what turned out to be less transferable than you expected and what was transferable.

Can you work full time while study during your leap program ?
What clinical sites do you have to go to if you are in nyc during the program ?

i’ve been accepted into program with a 3.1 science gpa and 3.6 overall and start class next august. tbh im still surprised i was even offered a seat. anyways, i’m nervous about how well i’ll perform in didactic of the program with a lower science gpa since i know it’s the foundation of anesthesia.

for ppl who are in school or already graduated with a lower prereq science gpa, how was school for you? did you struggle more than others? did you ever fail a class?

original was deleted but got the OK to repost by mods

Not in CRNA school and have always wondered if SRNAs had to take 24hour calls. If so, how was it?

Hi! I recently got into a CRNA program that is remote for the first year and then I would move away from my home state after that. I also just found out I am pregnant. I would be due in April (during the easier classes) and then baby would be 4 months old when the harder classes start. I am unsure what to do. Going back to CRNA school is my dream but I am unsure if I will be able to do it with a baby. My husband is supportive and we will plan on doing daycare. I am also unsure if I should keep the baby. It was a wanted pregnancy but the timing feels so bad and I don’t know how I will be a good mom during the program. Or do I not go back to CRNA school at all. All of this timing is terrible. And I feel terrible.

what shoes are you guys wearing in the OR?

I finally got accepted after about a year and a half of applying and interviewing!! First off let me say if youve gotten multiple rejections please please keep going don’t get too discourage! I ended up at my top choice school :) anyways, this will mean I will have to move across the country from my new boyfriend. Any tips/tricks/words of advice/witches spells you have for me about being in a long distance relationship during school? I’ve never done it before.

Hello everyone. I am looking for insights from current students in the program. I know the program started around 2021 and am curious to know your thoughts especially about student support, finances and clinicals. I was a nursing student there but did not get to know the hospital system as a whole due to the pandemic. Thanks in advance

I’m sorry I know this question gets posted all the time but I wanted to present my circumstances to see how the answers vary.

Just graduated with my BSN and starting ICU job in July. 22 y/o. I made a plan for if I choose MD, and I would be getting ICU exp for one year then taking prereqs+MCAT for 1.5-2yrs to apply at 25y/o while being PT.

I’ve shadowed a CRNA, MD hospitalist, and MD ICU doc. I love what the CRNA does, frankly more than the other two. The reason I’m considering MD is I love research. I did a research internship in undergrad involving a lot of statistics and programming and fell in love with it. From my understanding, CRNAs do not get protected research time and so I’m worried I won’t be able to integrate this sort of work in my career without an MD, who can get protected research time if they desire.

Also I would like to do research in underserved communities. I know a nursing PhD would actually prep me very well for this sort of work, esp since many nursing PhDs can be done part time, but I don’t know what my career would look like after the PhD, if I can do clinical practice and work as a nurse scientist simultaneously.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Am I a failure for moving home at 29 while in school?

Long story short, I had foot surgery at the end of last year. Within a month, I had to quickly up and move back home with my parents, since I was unable to take care of myself. However, I also had complications and what now feels like a very extended recovery. At the end of the day, I had to quit my job, because I was not physically ready to come back.

I had my own apartment, dog, ICU job, no debt, great physical health and a relationship. However that relationship now feels like it is falling apart after all of my life changes. I feel distant now from my friends (it's that age when everyone goes their separate ways I guess). I have since stayed at my parents, because my program got officially accredited in the midst of learning to walk again. I had surgery mid-October and started school in the beginning of January.

I try not to compare myself, but all of my peers have moved away, gotten their big residencies or jobs, bought a house, had kids, etc. I try to look at all of my successes and hardships I have overcome just to get into school, but life just feels heavy at times.

I have a loving and supportive family and have leaned on them immensely both physically and emotionally. At baseline, I have depression and ADHD. I always thought I was resilient, but I did not expect life to change so much and so suddenly. I'm currently in therapy and on meds, but sometimes it feels extremely lonely as an adult living with her parents on top of the loneliness of being a CRNA student. I always pictured myself married and with kids. I never imagined having 0 income again and mounting 200k in student loans. I never expected to lose my love for working out or stability in my relationship. In this process, I have lost 15 pounds from stress. Specifically, the stress of school is extremely daunting and worsens the feelings I have of myself. In spite of all of this, I am doing very well in school, but definitely struggle to balance going to PT, doing school, & maintaining relationships.

Not sure exactly what reaction I will get. Maybe I just wanted to vent. Maybe I wanted to listen to other people's stories.

Anyone have words of encouragement to stay motivated in school or had ways to improve their mental health? How did you cope in school? Any general life advice? Has anyone had to move in with their parents for the years they were in school and how did you feel about it?

Thank you everyone in advance. I truly appreciate anything.

Hi! I just had my airway check-off at school. I haven’t had the chance to intubate anyone in real life yet—only on a manikin. Also, I’m a lefty.

Could you share 1-2 tips to help me succeed on my first real intubation? Thank you so much!

Hey everyone, third year here.

I spend the next several months in independent sites. Naturally, I am responsible for my patients in PACU. I enjoy the responsibility, but I’m looking to fine-tune my technique to reduce my PACU times. Currently, I’m at a site that attempts to practice opioid free anesthesia utilizing generous doses of ketamine and Precedex. Naturally, this is prolonging my PACU times.

Currently, I can only find one study on optimal
Precedex dosing; it’s poorly generalizable as it was done in pediatric ENT patients and only looked at incidence of emergence delirium. Their dosing recommendation was 0.3mcg/kg IBW (link included above).

Does anyone have any memberships to journals with further studies on the topic? Anyone whose done a DNP project in the topic with a lit review I can read? I’d love some links to articles that address the problem.

Opinions also welcome.

Thanks

What the title says! I have a one month OB rotation at a high risk OB facility. I’ve completed 3 of the 4 weeks and have done many spinals and c sections, but only have 12 epidurals so far (have probably attempted 15 or 16). These are also the only opportunities that have popped up so it’s not for lack of trying, I think I’ve hit a random lul in deliveries. Very curious to know what other’s numbers are looking like by the time they’re done. I’ll get more random isolated OB shifts after this but not a full month.

Hi guys! Has anyone used Simvana while taking anesthesia equipment? (Voluntarily or mandated)

I’m wondering if it actually helped you get comfortable with the anesthesia machine and all the equipment, especially as a first time learner.

Would love to hear if you thought it was worth the investment. Tuition is already high, and my program does not require it, so it would be self funded.

Hi. 2nd year NAR and have started clinical. Can anyone please provide any advice/tips on masking patients if you have small hands? For reference, I wear XS gloves and a 5 1/2 or 6 in sterile gloves. I know mask ventilation can be a tough technique for all new students but I’m struggling because I have my small hands issue stacked against me lol.

Really appreciate any and all tips. Thank you!

**the oral airway has been a great tool and has made masking a bit easier, but I am still struggling

Just started clinical last month and noticing every time I DL, I am consistently getting 2b or grade 3 views. I can always either see the epiglottis or the posterior cartilages, but feel like all my successful tubes are just because I am aiming up to where I know the cords should be. I’ve only had one amazing grade 1 view. I know I’m new, but any helpful tips?

I feel like I might not be lifting enough to pop the epiglottis up and out of the way. I will notice in real time that I should lift more, then get paralyzed because I’m staring at the teeth and worried that I will cause dental damage, preventing me from lifting. Any tips?

This is my first semester in clinicals and I'm looking for advice on navigating the differing preceptor preferences. I try to ask if they have a preference up front with how the tube is taped or emergence tasks etc... They usually say they don't have one but after I've completed the tasks I find out they do have a preference. Who taught you to tape that way or why the opa I only use soft bite blocks. I take notes on their preferences for future shifts but wanted to know if there's a better way to go about this. Thank you!

Hey everyone, I've been accepted to Barry's Orlando campus and another CRNA program, and I'm trying to decide between the two. I'm hoping to get honest feedback from current students or recent grads before I decide.

I'm mainly wondering what the clinical experience is actually like. Is there a lot of competition for cases with residents/AAs/ other SRNAs? Did you get enough hands-on regional experience? And how much autonomy do you get as you progress through the program?

I've read mixed opinions about Barry online, especially about attrition and student support, and I'm wondering what the current vibe is.

Barry makes a lot of sense logistically for my family, but I want to make sure the clinical training and experience are solid.

Would you choose Barry again? I'd appreciate any honest feedback, and feel free to DM me.

I appreciate the time; thanks.

Graduating in less than a year, been in clinical for just about a year. Prior to clinicals I was someone who worked out 4-5 days a week. Since starting I’ve gained a bunch of weight, I’ve been unable to successfully figure out a work out plan. I should mention I have a toddler on top of all the school stuff. What have yall done to stay active in school? Any tips?

Hi! My husband was accepted into a program that starts next year. We have 2 children, who will both be under 5 when the program starts, though considering having another. It might change as they get older, but I am the default parent and I’m already overwhelmed by the kids’ emotional and physical needs. Currently our balance is that I work part time and manage most of the childcare and cooking and that my partner works full time and does most of our cleaning and home/yard maintenance.

I’m looking for honest feedback from CRNA students who did school and clinical with kids, specifically on 1) how much time you had available for your family each week and 2) how, logistically and mentally, your partner handled working full time and doing most of the childcare, housework, and unseen work to keep household afloat.

We are close to the program and about 45 min from our support system and are contemplating if he will have time to spend with the kids/be helpful for cooking dinner, bedtime, etc with any regularity, or if we should move in with family so that I have more support.

Hey guys, just wondering if any CRNAs could share what they expect from NARs clinically as they progress through their training. Thanks!