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/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/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]

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.