How would you've prepared differently for school now that you're a SRNA?

[stephenfnielsen]

I've now been out of school, working in a moderately acute 30 bed mixed ICU for 6 months now, and, like perhaps every other ICU nurse, I've done at lease a little CRNA contemplation.

Now that you are a SRNA, what do you wish you would have learned/done more of as an ICU nurse to prepare for school?

I rarely see Swans... do you see this as either a disadvantage to either entering or being successful in school?

I've thought about going out of my way to hone IV/ ABG stick skills... things like that; any other suggestions?

[natbug]

I've now been out of school, working in a moderately acute 30 bed mixed ICU for 6 months now, and, like perhaps every other ICU nurse, I've done at lease a little CRNA contemplation.

Now that you are a SRNA, what do you wish you would have learned/done more of as an ICU nurse to prepare for school?

I rarely see Swans... do you see this as either a disadvantage to either entering or being successful in school?

I've thought about going out of my way to hone IV/ ABG stick skills... things like that; any other suggestions?

Hi, I am not an SRNA yet, but was accepted to a CRNA program starting this fall. When I interviewed, I was asked about PA catheters, ABGs, EKGs, heart blocks, and vasoactive drips. So they are assessing your all-around knowledge in the interview, so I would suggest getting the most amount of exposure to all aspects of critical care that you can. I found that my interview was heavy in cardiac. I hope this helps.

[papapump]

I am currently a SRNA who graduates this December.

I would have done nothing differently. Your program is going to teach you what you need to learn (at least they should). You will have some baseline knowledge of drips, ventilators, etc but to be honest a patient presenting for surgery is a lot different than a patient who is in the ICU. I find that PAC and all this knowledge about drips is covered in detail in lecture so minimal experience is only needed.

The only thing I would make sure to do is go on a nice vacation and blow off some steam before starting because school is tough.

[natbug]

I am currently a SRNA who graduates this December.

I would have done nothing differently. Your program is going to teach you what you need to learn (at least they should). You will have some baseline knowledge of drips, ventilators, etc but to be honest a patient presenting for surgery is a lot different than a patient who is in the ICU. I find that PAC and all this knowledge about drips is covered in detail in lecture so minimal experience is only needed.

The only thing I would make sure to do is go on a nice vacation and blow off some steam before starting because school is tough.

Thanks so much for your reply. I feel better.

[olderthandirt2]

I'm a current SRNA......I did nothing special to prepare, other than my job/experience/certification/gre/other degrees/endless hours on 3 apps for ARMY.........but after I was accepted......I chilled, worked & ran.

Wouldn't change a thing...maybe try to vacation B4.

[goodgrief]

I start this fall, call me crazy but I bought the Netter's Anatomy Flash Cards and am trying to re-learn/review as much as I can when school starts so I won't have to spend as much time then. I also plan to take a good vacation this summer.

[Class2011]

I would have studied for and taken the CCRN exam sooner. If I remember, you have to had at least a year's experience to sit for it. I put it off longer, but once I took it, I continued to learn more at work. It made work more interesting and I got more respect from my colleagues.