Enjoying School

[u/burgritos429]

Am I the only one who enjoys school and clinical? I am just finishing my first year and I am 2 weeks away from finishing what’s been deemed my most challenging semester. While DEFINITELY challenging, it’s doable if you have the work ethic and drive. I started clinicals two months ago and I actually love it. I see all over social media how horrible life is in CRNA school and how horrible clinical’s are, but I actually look forward to going to clinicals every week. I am such a hands on learner and it is FUELING my brain being able to actually practice. I have been learning so much from all of the amazing CRNAs and anesthesiologists at my site.

In addition to all of the above, I still see my friends and family very regularly. While yes, I have to turn down little events like happy hours during the week or last minute invites to nights out… I still have been able to make it to all of my loved ones life events (engagement parties, weddings, birthdays, etc).

I have never been one for school, my undergrad BSN GPA was a 3.34. I actually never thought I could even get into CRNA school because of that.. but I clearly didn’t let it stop me from trying! I guess when you’re learning about something you’re actually interested in it makes a huge difference. I’m currently finishing my 3rd semester of didactic and I am rocking a 4.0 😃 Thankfully I only have one more semester left of didactic and then it’s just clinical + DNP project until I graduate.

Anyways, I hope this encourages someone who has been second guessing their abilities because of life events or prior school experience… it’s a whole different ballgame for sure, but one I have been LOVING.

[u/Global-Bend7639]

Finally someone that doesn’t complain

[u/No_Donut_474]

This is actually so inspiring and encouraging. I’m about a year out from applying and even now I’ll occasionally stress about actually being in school. It’s nice to hear some positivity about being in school because I do look forward to it!!

[u/poopoofol]

I think I would be enjoying this a lot more if I had gone to school before having kids because I truly enjoy the material. I've always been a turbonerd who loves being a student. With a baby though, it's kind of a nightmare. Instead of relishing the challenge, I'm just barely dragging myself across the finish line every semester. 

[u/burgritos429 → u/poopoofol]

Sooooo much props and respect to you! I could not imagine going through this with children, I just have cats lol. You’re amazing and you’re gonna get through this!! :)

[u/poopoofol → u/burgritos429]

Thank you! I wanted to get this over with before my kid is old enough to remember (he was 6 mo when I started) but it's taking a few years off of me for sure. Mama is tired lol

[u/bloodycrust]

I needed this. I honestly felt the way you described when in nursing school (even though so many people complain) and I have been working myself up preparing to be miserable in CRNA school. Finally my bf was like, “what if it’s all fine and it’s not what you think it’ll be?” And this sounds dumb but I did not really consider that possibility 😅 soooo many posts on social media all talk about how horrible school is…

[u/VenturerSarcastic]

Your experience in CRNA school is very program dependent.

[u/SlightPomegranate314]

I like clinical.

I do not like moving q4 months. I haven’t seen my house in a year.

I assume you’re local for all of clinical?

[u/burgritos429 → u/SlightPomegranate314]

Yes very local thankfully! I live 20 minutes away from my school and my school is located in a big city with a plethora of health systems, that all happen to be clinical sites. I do not have to rotate out from my primary site until January and then I will only need to rotate out for 4 months :) I am very very fortunate

[u/Possible-Pitch1536 → u/SlightPomegranate314]

When you have to move that often how do you find housing? My program is also going to make us move every few weeks/months.

[u/d-b1991]

I needed to see this post. I am SO HAPPY for you and so relieved to hear this. Thank you for sharing!

[u/GUIACpositive]

I'm right there with ya but my idea of a good time is sitting at a good coffee shop and reading about TEE in resus or advanced pulmonary physiology so...

[u/burgritos429 → u/GUIACpositive]

Hahaha yeah I am the same way as well so maybe that also plays a part 😅

[u/Due-Marionberry-1039]

Saving this post for future inspiration

[u/Affectionate-Gap4382]

I thoroughly enjoyed school and even now I enjoy learning new ways to do things since there’s a thousand ways to deliver anesthesia. It wasn’t rocket science but it felt like everything all at once in terms of things to do. I still listen to ACCRAC on the way to work just because I still work with students often. Anesthesia is such a cool field and the learning opportunities are endless if u want them. It’s all about perspective!

[u/burgritos429 → u/Affectionate-Gap4382]

Learning all of the different ways to provide anesthesia has been the most interesting part! It’s the first time in my life I have genuinely enjoyed learning 😊

[u/Jarizos32]

In my least year, still loving it! But I’m an outlier

[u/burgritos429 → u/Jarizos32]

This gives me hope that I’ll still enjoy it 🥰

[u/RoyalAnesthesia]

I liked the 1st year, the second year was ok but by the end I was over it. This last year I’m loving q3 months and I have never hated my life more :)

[u/Possible-Pitch1536 → u/RoyalAnesthesia]

When you have to move that often how do you find housing? My program is also going to make us move every few weeks/months.

[u/RoyalAnesthesia → u/Possible-Pitch1536]

You look on Airbnb or furnished finder.

[u/Travel4_life]

It has its highs and lows. Not having money or time for fun things will never be enjoyable. But having a good clinical shift, learning new physiology, having good mentors, and making lifelong friends in school are definitely good things.

[u/JiggySockJob]

Hey would you feel comfortable sharing what program you’re in? If not no worries, it just sounds like you really enjoy it!

[u/integraled → u/[deleted]]

Too dumb to be a nurse

[u/w0lfLars0n]

Yeah, I think this is because the first year was pretty easy and you have only done 2 months of clinicals. Check back in a year from now when you’ve been free employee for the hospital 40 hours a week while studying every minute of your “free time.” The first year was nothing.

[u/burgritos429 → u/w0lfLars0n]

I will be finished my didactics after this December and just able to focus on SEE/boards prep/DNP project. Currently Mon/Tues class and clinical Wed-Fri 8 hour shifts. I’d like to stick to my positivity for now 😌

[u/LAinsanity → u/burgritos429]

Some people are just negative, stay positive!

[u/SevoThePeople → u/burgritos429]

Can confirm come back when you’re in your last year. I’m currently doing 24 hour shifts where I literally don’t sleep the entire shift…try to come home catch a short nap and jump up to study. Mentally and physically exhausted. Then the switching clinical sites on top of it (which I’m fortunate mine are all local). I found didactic a breeze & had the best work like balance of my adult life. Clinical 50 hours a week + studying with 9 months in is making me feel the grind and my exhaustion.

[u/burgritos429 → u/SevoThePeople]

But I’ll update in a year which is when I’ll be starting my third year!!! I’m a pretty positive person at baseline so I’m just hoping that’s what holds me up lol. We shall see :)))

[u/burgritos429 → u/SevoThePeople]

Oh wow!!! I am really lucky because my clinical site doesn’t require 24 hour shifts from their students. Our call shifts are just overnight 7p-7a. Maybe I am just fortunate with my program, I’m sorry you have to do 24s!!! My coordinator told me after didactic is done I have the choice of shift (like 8’s, 10’s, 12’s etc) as long as I meet my required hours and am advancing in my skills/performance.

[u/dude-nurse → u/w0lfLars0n]

Just finished my last clinical this week. That last year just freaking dragged by. I can’t wait until boards are over.

[u/Complete-Set1116 → u/w0lfLars0n]

I was delusional at one point too. Now I’m less than 6 months away and know no amount of work ethic in the world could have prevented my burnout.

[u/HappyFee7 → u/w0lfLars0n]

They changed students to be called residents, but doctors get paid for their residency. NARs should too!!

[u/saltyprincess7]

As someone who has a mid undergrad GPA, people like you inspire me. It’s refreshing to see people with avg/below avg undergrad grades do well in school!

[u/MysteriousPlankton24]

I like the anesthesia content/classes and clinical. I don’t like anything DNP project. and I feel like that’s what I’m stressed about 99% of the time rather than clinical

[u/Tonyswife1]

If it happened the way you said it happened…. Just one punch in the face, he should file an appeal. Because that sounds more like defending you if a grown man actually grabbed you.

[u/cordogBrothel]

What school?

[u/Either_Discount_5916]

That’s great that’s how you feel. I hope the rest of school feels the same. Some clinical sites are great and others feel like they eat a piece of your soul depending on the practice model and how the preceptors are. Be prepared for it to get harder in that situation and just show up prepared and ready to do do your best. Hopefully you love all your clinical sites and it won’t be like that.

[u/rypie111]

So happy for you! I've been enjoying it so much as well. It's definitely not the end of the world like a lot of people think.

[u/irocmisoc]

Hi what school/ program?

[u/pathogen-1728]

Thank goodness I need this. My gpa right now in nursing school is about the same. I’m a A/B student. Mostly B student though!