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Sounds good . .congrats!

We aren't competing with the residents because we are still paired with a CRNA this semester, however from what it seems like, we end up with way more cases than we need to become certified. We've all had a variety of cases from neuro, GYN, cystos, ortho, ENT, general cases, cardiac caths and others. We will be doing heart cases (both adult and peds) at some point down the line, and I believe they are trying to get a "permanent" trauma rotation (however some of the seniors have done some as of recently). Overall we've had some pretty good experiences + we are going to have a pain clinic rotation where we'll practice our nerve blocks etc (something very few programs offer from what I here). But so far things are going pretty well, just expect to do a lot of work ;o). Congrats on being accepted to the various programs, just pick the one you think fits you best. Let me know what else I can help you with, as you can see I might not get back to you right away, but I will eventually LOL

No Prob. Clinicals are going pretty well, we only go once a week this semester. But this summer we'll be in clinicals 4x a week. It'll be a lot more work (care plans), but I am looking forward to when that happens. So far we are just getting accustomed to the OR and our new roles. We come early, do the machine/room checks, set up the room, draw up the drugs, do the pre-ops (as best as we can to this point), etc. Pretty much what ever your CRNA/attending is willing to let you do you can do (within reason of course). I actually got to try to intubate on my first clinical day. As of yet I've been able to intubate, place LMAs, OGT, A-line, titrate the inhaled anesthetics, bag-mask ventilate, induce, and be there for emergence. One person last semester got to try an awake fiberoptic intubation on their 1st day, so it all varies on the case etc.

Sim lab is actually a lot of fun, its set up like a real OR. Supposedly it cost them a couple Million to set up. We have a simulation dummy that breaths, has a HR, can do emergency trach on, opens eyes, you can bust his teeth, and they supposedly have a way of making him a difficult intubation. We've been practicing inductions in there once a week for lab time, and its free for use on Fridays. We have a real anesthesia machine, so we practice bagging, pushing the drugs, intubating, setting up the vent, etc. Then they will have issues for you like the BP and HR drop with the IV induction agents you gave and what to do. Valerie Bell is our sim lab instructor and she's very very good (tough, but good). She actually went to Harvard for a semester to get trained in the simulations. I'm not sure what other schools have, but I think we have a pretty top notch set up. It just opened up this semester, so everything is nice and new. I know some schools don't even have such sim labs, so I think we're pretty lucky. Later on I think we are going to start working with the undergrads from what I heard. So after our "surgery" we'd transfer the pt to the PACU and give report to the undergrads. None of us were given an exact reason why Dr. Apatov stepped down, we're just as confused as you are. Luckily however, he is still a very strong presence with the school. He is the type that will bend over backwords for students so that they can succeede, which might have been part of the problem. But he is a strong advocate for the students! Hope that helps, feel free to ask any questions . . I'm only here to help )

Sorry, its been a busy couple of weeks ;o). Anyways, Dr. Apatov hasn't left the program, he is still highly involved in teaching our classes/clinicals. Rosana Bizio is the new director, she's been with UM since the begining of the program so she knows whats going on. As for all of the classes, they are all pretty good. There are a few I'd rather not have to deal with since it doesn't really apply to our specialty, but we need to do it. As for chem and anatomy, I believe they will have another boot camp over the summer. Before school starts they'll have you reading from the biochem book and patho book. You'll have weekly online quizzes. It's not really "graded", its more of a thing to get you ready so when school starts you'll be back in the mode of studying etc. 1st semester is actually not to bad, we only had class 3 days a week with no clinicals, so we all actually had a lot of free time. As for 2nd semester, be prepared to start being sleepy/tired with very little free time. So far so good though. Does that help? Let me know

Hello putu2sleep. I am currently in my 2nd semester in the CRNA program at UM, the reason why you haven't heard back from the director is because there has been a change in who is running the program. It kind of all happened late dec, so that could be the reason why. let me know what ?'s I can answer for you, might not respond right away, 2 big exams next week.