Guest Post: Rachel on the life of an SRNA spouse
Posted by Rachel in Guest Posts on February 21, 2010
Have you ever wondered what a Miller blade is? How about defining the word intubation? Or better yet, how often do you use the word “gas” in everyday conversation? Well get ready peeps the fun is about to begin!
I’m married to a former engineer, turned nurse, turned SRNA working toward becoming a CRNA. We’ve been on quite a path together over the last 12ish years that includes many college degrees between us both, full time jobs, being full time students (again, and again, and again . . .) school loan debt, marriage, putting off starting a family because we’re obviously addicted to higher education, a sweet dog, and owning and selling 2 houses only to return to rental properties, and moving several times. Through all of that, my husband’s ultimate goal has always been to have a career as a nurse anesthesia provider. He certainly did not take the most direct path, but sometimes you don’t know what you want until you try what you thought you wanted.
So what’s it like to be married to an SRNA? It’s hectic and stressful at times. They are stressed and sleep deprived. They don’t have much time for life outside of school or clinical. And ultimately the student and the spouse are constantly trying to juggle all the demands of school, life, and a relationship. But, that said it is not impossible (note: I did not say it was easy!).
The first 8 weeks of anesthesia school seem to be the worst for everyone involved. SRNAs are balls to the wall (yep, that’s the only way to describe it) busy with class at least 35 hours per week, studying after class until their eyes literally fall shut, and then on weekends not seeing the light of day for sometimes 36 hours because they are studying constantly. And then . . . come Monday, repeat. For 8 weeks! I was not privy to this “special” time in the life of my SRNA because I was in Portland OR pursuing my own academic endeavors as an aspiring physical therapist. But, even maintaining some form of marriage via phone was a challenge.
Now that those 8 weeks of hell have come and gone, everything else seems much easier. My SRNA is still busy all the time. He still gets stressed and doesn’t have much time to interact before tests or when he is up late at night finishing his careplan for clinical. He doesn’t have much time for chores like cooking, laundry, cleaning or taking care of errands. Heck, he struggles to find time to shower and sleep. But, ultimately we eat dinner together most nights of the week, and at least spend the evening next to each other on our computers. Now that’s love huh?
Since I am in school too I think our perspective may differ from many. On the down side, we’re broke, both stressed, weekends are never school work free and we both have priorities competing with our home life. But, on the positive, my SRNA never has to explain to me why he can’t go enjoy a Sunday afternoon strolling around Salem Lake or why he can’t go away for the weekend. I get it-even if I don’t always like it.
Embarking on the journey as a spouse to an SRNA is a wild ride with high and lows. But like any decent adventure the growth takes place during the process and the reward at the end is always worth it. Your partner will have a satisfying, fulfilling career which will afford your family flexibility in their work schedule and a salary that rewards their hard efforts. I’m the daughter of a CRNA and a wife of an SRNA. And better yet, my mom and I are both still standing.
